Cleveland Cavaliers: A Villanova-like Dream

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Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) attempts a shot over Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 112-94. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Shot That Redefines “The Shot”

For Cleveland Cavaliers fans, it has come down to this. We are a fourth quarter away from a possible championship ceremony, a parade downtown, and the end of a 60-plus year title drought. Could it happen?

The next twelve minutes could define history. Cleveland looks pumped, and the Warriors know what lies before them. They’re on the road, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have the home court advantage.

The fourth quarter gets off to a rocky start. Neither the Cavaliers or Warriors can get anything to fall. LeBron launches a pair of deep jumpers and Curry misses a few three-point shots.

The anticipation is building to see who will break the 88-88 tie. The wait doesn’t last too much longer, though, as small forward Harrison Barnes finally drills a three-point shot with almost three minutes gone in the fourth.

Coming back down the court, Irving passed the ball to James at the top of the three-point arc and then cuts to the corner. With the ball in his hands, James assesses the defense and looks at Iguodala who is defending him closely. The shot clock is winding down, and James starts to make his move.

As James dribbles, he sees Green coming to help which leaves Love open in the corner. and just like that the game is tied at 91. Cleveland Cavaliers fans breathe a sigh of relief again as the game is knotted up. The Cavaliers and Warriors battle back and forth throughout the fourth quarter, much like they did in the first. Neither team really gaining more than a three or four point lead.

Fast forward to the game’s final minute and the Cavaliers and Warriors are tied again. For the Cleveland Cavaliers, James has had phenomenal game with 36 points, 9 assists, and 9 rebounds. On the other side, Curry has equaled James with 33 points and 12 assists. It’s felt like a game for the ages.

Both teams have battled back and forth, no lead has found itself insurmountable, and the highlight reel is full of highlights for SportsCenter the next morning. However, for Cavaliers fans the feeling comes down to the final minute.

LeBron is left atop the top of the three-point arc, awaiting Thompson who comes to set the screen. When Thompson gets there, LeBron uses the screen to switch Iguodala for Green, and takes Green to the low post. Meanwhile, Irving, Love, and Smith await James next move.

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That’s right, the Cleveland Cavaliers have gone to hero ball as they have many times before. The clock is ticking down, and with forty seconds left, LeBron backs Green down, turns and fires to Love who hits a three! The Cleveland Cavaliers are up by three 105-102 with 30 seconds to go. Cavaliers fans are beside themselves in jubilation.

All it could take is one missed shot by Golden State and the NBA Title is coming home to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time. Kerr is preaching to the players in his huddle to stay calm. They know the situation they’re in, and they’ve been there before. They know what to do. Meanwhile, in Lue’s huddle, he’s simply preaching to his players to avoid fouling or making a dumb mistake. Everyone seems to

Kerr is preaching to the players in his huddle to stay calm. They know the situation they’re in, and they’ve been there before. They know what to do. Meanwhile, in Lue’s huddle, he’s simply preaching to his players to avoid fouling and making a dumb mistake. Everyone seems to know though, Curry is going to take the shot.

The referee hands Iguodala the ball and he inbounds to Curry. Dellevadova jumps up on him quickly and bodies him up on defense. He passes it off to Thompson who waits, then passes it back to Curry who attempts to drive past Delly, but gets stopped. Curry regrouped and starts his drive again.

This time, Shumpert tries to come help, but it’s too late, Curry sets himself to shoot. Dellavedova leaps at Curry, which causes him to double clutch on the shot, but it doesn’t matter. Curry hits the three and the game is tied at 105 with six seconds to go. The Cavaliers will get one last shot, or this game will go to overtime.

Back in the huddle, Lue gets his best shooters in. He has prepared all season for a moment like this, and he has the perfect play in mind. The only thing he has to do is look at his players, and they know, it’s time for “the play.” On the other side, Kerr is now reminding his players not to foul. He knows that James will want the ball, and James will look to make the game’s final play.

The buzzer sounds and the timeout is over — it’s time. The Cavaliers fans are ready, standing on their feet in the arena and at the edge of their seats at home. Our hearts are beating fast and our palms sweaty in anticipation. For Lue, he brings out Irving, Smith, James, Love, and Thompson, while Kerr counters with Curry, Thompson, Livingston, Iguodala, and Green. Smith gets ready to inbound the ball. He looks across

Smith gets ready to inbound the ball. He looks across court to Love, fakes it then inbounds to LeBron who gets free from Igoudala. James holds the ball and swings it around into a dribble drawing multiple defenders to him. Meanwhile Irving swings in behind him, James cuts in front to screen Iguodala and Curry, then dishes back to Irving, who shoots the deep three and… IT’S GOOD! Irving hits the three!

The Q erupts as confetti begins to fall from the rafters. The referees confirm the shot got off in time, and Cavaliers fans inside the Q and around the world cannot believe it. The Cleveland Cavaliers are NBA Champions! A perfect play by James left Irving with the perfect shot!

It was a play executed to perfection. Come on down Commissioner Adam Silver, the city of Cleveland is ready to celebrate and get the champagne bottles flowing. The Cleveland Cavaliers are NBA Champions, the title drought is over, with one of the most amazing endings in NBA history.

Next: Cavs Are Better With Kyrie On The Bench

Could you imagine? What if the Cleveland Cavaliers won on a last minute buzzer-beating shot? The Villanova and North Carolina championship game shows what’s possible. If the Cavaliers won a game like that, I’m fairly certain it would be the greatest and only shot talked about in Cleveland for the Cleveland Cavaliers organization anymore.

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