Usually I end my Lingering Items columns with a question to ponder but today I flip the conceit: Are sports fans in general cynical or is it just Cleveland sports fans?
Though I don't usually weigh in on the answer but ask because I'm concerned. About me, about you about the nature of sports in Cleveland generally. I had just finished writing my once or twice a year column on the Cleveland Cavaliers and decided to let it sit for a few days. Something about it didn't seem quite right. When I returned to it, the problem became clear. It seemed to be drenched in a baseline cynicism that can best be summed up as "the Cavs suck, what's new?" That really wasn't what I intended to say. Thus beget the question to ponder and then another, more existential variation: did I have anything more to say about Cleveland sports that I hadn't already said?
As the Cavaliers wrap up another losing season and their ongoing (dare we say “endless”) rebuilding process continues, perhaps the best elixir is to reflect upon other times they successfully pulled themselves up by their high-tops - and remember the guys who helped them do it.
No one needs to rehash the gory details of the Cavs’ performance over the past three years. Since LeBron departed in 2010, the team has lost a lot more than it’s won, and has seemingly found itself cornered by the injury bug at every turn.
The problem with the Cavaliers lies not with their collective athletic ability. It lies not with their approach to the games or their teamwork.
At the end of the strike-shortened, 66-game 2011-2012 NBA season, the Cavs had won 21 games. That’s approximately equivalent to 26 victories over a regular, 82-game season.