Factory Of Sadness
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Cleveland Cavaliers: Memo to the fans — enjoy the ride

By Ryan Landolph

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 12: Cleveland Cavaliers fans react as they watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors during a watch party at The Quicken Loans Arena on June 12, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. For the second year in a row Cleveland trailed Golden State 3-1 in the best of seven series but were defeated 129-120 in Game 5. (Photo by Angelo Merendino/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 12: Cleveland Cavaliers fans react as they watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors during a watch party at The Quicken Loans Arena on June 12, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. For the second year in a row Cleveland trailed Golden State 3-1 in the best of seven series but were defeated 129-120 in Game 5. (Photo by Angelo Merendino/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers’ success could be gone in an instant and fans need to appreciate what has been done the past few seasons.

One morning earlier this week – July 6 to be exact – I was looking through my Timehop moments. As I reminisced on some of the more interesting takes (including topics involving sports teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers) and childish comments I’ve made over the years on social media, it was interesting to see what I was intrigued by.

Everything one would expect from the typical high school and college kid was there to relive. High school travel baseball updates, dumb conversations with buddies, and of course (as previous alluded too) lots of sports banter.

One tweet from Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving, which I retweeted, caught my eye.

On July 6, 2013, former Cavs Earl Clark and Jarrett Jack unofficially signed in Cleveland and I was apparently excited enough to throw out a retweet.

These two joined a team built around Irving and veterans Luol Deng and Anderson Varejao. Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller were all young role players. Anthony Bennett had just been selected first overall in the NBA Draft.

In addition, Alonzo Gee, one of my favorite all time players, was fresh off arguably his best season in the NBA (yes, I own a Gee jersey).

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Looking back now, I cannot understand how I expressed excitement about this roster. However, I know I was not the only one looking forward to the season. Even with the optimism, the Cavs went on to win just 33 games that season.

But it was not before long that things turned around.

The additions of Clark and Jack became the additions of LeBron James and Kevin Love in one season. The franchise’s only NBA Finals appearance turned into two appearances.

Two turned into three and the city’s first professional championship in 52 years was earned. James and Co. tacked on another finals appearance for good measure last year, culminating the greatest three-year-stretch in Cavs franchise history.

The growth in just four short years is nothing short of astonishing. With that in mind, Cavs fans need to take a step back and truly appreciate this era of basketball in Cleveland. These rises from afterthoughts to contenders rarely ever happen, while the reciprocal happens far too frequently.

Take the Atlanta Hawks, for example. During the 2014-2015 season, the Hawks went 60-22, finishing with the Eastern Conference’s best record. Four of their five starters – Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap and Al Horford were all-stars.

DeMarre Carroll, the fifth starter, left for the Toronto Raptors following the 2015 season. Horford and Teague signed with the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers respectively last offseason. Korver was traded to the Cavs last season.

Now, Millsap has a new home with the Denver Nuggets. Amazingly, all five of their starters from the successful 2014-2015 season are officially gone.

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The Hawks also traded Dwight Howard earlier this offseason and are on the verge of losing Tim Hardaway, Jr., one of their key role players from last year. Per ESPN’s Zach Lowe, he is likely to depart Atlanta after signing a 4-year/$71-million offer sheet with the New York Knicks that the Hawks are unlikely to match.

In three years, the Hawks went from a contending Eastern Conference team to essentially the 2013 Cavs. Atlanta has a few young pieces and a lot of unknowns as the team begins its latest chapter.

I want to be clear that I am not saying this will happen to the Cavs. However, such a quick fall from competitiveness is alerting. Cavs fans are not that far removed from living through the days of Christian Eyenga, Luke Harangody, Samardo Samuels, Semih Erden, Lester Hudson, Manny Harris and so many more sub-par players.

They do not want to go back. Yet, if they have to, then the Cavaliers need to make sure they have not taken these last three years from granted. Frustration from what has happened this offseason is understandable.

Parting ways with general manager David Griffin, “LeBron is leaving” rumors, and failed pursuits of Paul George and Jimmy Butler all could be characterized as frustrating.

However, again, these are no reasons to discredit what this team has accomplished over the past three seasons. Focusing solely on the present and not the past will result in much more disappointment when the ride finally ends.

My advice for Cavs fans: Enjoy every step of the ride, whether it is smooth or rocky. Right now, one of the most dominant players in NBA history is a member of the team you root for, along with two other all-stars and many solid role players.

Do not forget where this team was just four years ago, heading into the start of the season with Bennett, Clark and Jack as the team’s big acquisitions. Take some time to really appreciate what this franchise has been able to accomplish over the past three years.

Next: 5 FA Cavs targets with their MLE


Whatever happens, happens. Fans cannot control roster moves. On the other hand, they can control their level of commitment and endearment to this era of Cavs basketball.

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