Why Cavalier Fans are SO MAD!

Close to a month after "The Decision" Cleveland is still upset and some are wondering why. I can tell you first hand my experiences as a visitor to Gund Arena and The Q for Cavalier basketball games.

Pre LeBron Era

It started with 4 guys having an interest to go out of our home state of Michigan to watch an NBA basketball game. Through research of the teams in the central division, Cleveland was our choice. First of all, the drive is minimal, the price was right, and the hotel inexpensive. That first visit was great, we had great seats and we enjoyed the atmosphere. After the game we decided to walk back to our hotel. The hotel was about 9 blocks from the arena. As we walked we spotted less than 20 cars on a Saturday night in downtown Cleveland on that night.

Fast forward a couple years, the interest in the trip grew so we chartered a bus to Cleveland. This time it was Michael Jordan's last game in Cleveland before his final retirement. I was offered courtside tickets for $75 each or the opportunity for our group to play on the Cavaliers court before the game, with use of the scoreboard, and locker room. We took the later deal and still had tickets in the lower bowl.

LeBron Era

I will never forget on a return trip during the LeBron era. My cousin stepped out of the taxi and a group of fans began to let him have it, he was wearing a Michigan hat in Ohio. The game that night LeBron hit the Pacers with about 48, the arena was packed and our seats were in the upper bowl. We also found some great food at small place called Freddy's with the help of our hotel staff.

On our last visit to The Q our seats were so close to the top we could shake hands with the guys on the catwalk above us. The arena was again packed, buses lined the street around The Q and the downtown that night was filled with people. Oh yeah no more access to the court for our group,  it now requires 300 tickets sold.

The Aftermath

I like Cavs fans everywhere had hoped LeBron would stay home in Cleveland, although it would mean on our next visit our tickets still wouldn't be good. It was always fun to visit and experience the transformation that had taken place since his arrival.

The fans had hope with LeBron in town of one day winning a championship and having a parade of their own. Now its over and their disappointment is evident. The future now looks like the past and it is filled with heartache.

The Bright Side

Cleveland Cavalier fans remember this Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and many other NBA Champions weren't from the cities they won Championships in. Just a thought, stay strong.