Shalom, y’all. Don’t get up. It’s just me, the Optimist – checking in from a sun-drenched Wednesday morning in North Carolina – birthplace of Tom Robbins, Richard Petty, Catfish Hunter, Ben Folds, Meadowlark Lemon, Soupy Sales, Tom Wolfe, Petey Pablo, Bob McAdoo, the Earnhardts, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Andy Griffith, Gallagher, Roman Gabriel and the FORMER holder of the Cavaliers’ All-Time Scoring record, who wouldn’t even come back to Cleveland for
his own bobblehead night(!) – Brad Daugherty.
The nerve.
Most North Carolinians are actually quite agreeable. They’re gracious, warm and appreciative. And who wouldn’t be in this southern weather wonderland? Austin Carr’s been practicing his golf swing on the Team Bus since Cincinnati. Everyone just takes their baseball hats off when he does.
The Cavaliers Caravan is on the Coast to face off against the rough-and-tumble Bobcats, who always play the Cavaliers tough. (I root for Charlotte when they don’t play against Cleveland.)
But the Wine and Gold are jonesing for a road win the worst way. Life on the road is tough enough without a six-game skein.
And it’s not just tough on the squad. Think about the traveling media – the Cavalier Beats from the local papers.
As do most sports beat reporters, our triple-threat from the Dailies travel together in a van, solving mysteries from town and town, covering the Cavaliers by night. They are: Brian Windhorst of the Akron Beacon-Journal, Bob Finnan of the News Herald and, of course, Branson Wright of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Brains |
Braun |
Beauty |
Occasionally, the incomparable Mary Schmitt-Boyer rides shotgun and, naturally, has more brains than the three of them put together.
Branson will charm the pants off anyone, even if they’re wearing a towel. Bob provides the muscle – he’ll bulldog a coach or player. And Brian relies on his keen intellect, well-placed connections and unique bond with TheBron.
Together, they’re as formidable a trio – (plus Mary) – as there is in pro basketball.
And they know it.
And they didn’t schlep all the way down here to Cape Fear Country to cover losing basketball. They’ve got a circulation to think about.
The Killer B’s and I don’t have the same luxury that many of you have. They can’t simply “turn it off and go to bed.” And they certainly can’t write after watching it in an inebriated state, like my man, here …
Dear Optimist …
LIFE IS TOUGH!!
As a serious fan of both the Wine and Gold and your articles, I must say that I am a little bit concerned about our beloved Cavs. What ever happened to our 82-0 season let alone the 50-32 that I am personally accustomed to? And I thought that the previous seasons were hard.
Now I have to creatively make up excuses to my "optimette" as to why I would possibly consume so much alcohol on a week night.
Darn!
Anyway, I am in for the long haul and always have been. Keep up the optimism, we are with you to the end.
Reuben
Horseheads, NY
There's nothing wrong with a little Cavaliers teetotaling.
Just don't go full-Hasselhoff on me.
|
Thanks for reading, writing and the passing along the kind words, Ruben. That’s a great name for a town. I used to make horsehead bookends in wood shop back in high school. There was no talking during horsehead bookends.
And, Ruben, there’s no need to cuss – even though I can dig your frustration with the Cavaliers' play as of late. But either way, if you ask me, so what if you want to have a schlook or two during Cavaliers action – win or lose? Where’s the crime in that?
As long as you stay sober enough to operate heavy machinery and/or gird your loins without hurting anyone, I say raise a glass to your beloved Cavaliers. Do it tonight!
Tonight, at least one of the two is going to ease your pain, my friend from Horseheads. TheBron will see to it before the teams head to intermission.
The young King comes out unusually aggressive in the first quarter and scores 11 of his game-high 41 points in the first period, swishing and dishing over a frustrated Jason Richardson. Devin Brown finishes the period with eight, five and three – I’m not sure which is which, though.
The Cavaliers lead by five after two, nine after three and 11 after four – going on a 14-2 to end the ballgame in strangely easy fashion. Raymond Felton leads the Bobcats with 29 points and a dozen dimes. Joe Smith doubles up for Cleveland with 13 and 11.
The Good Guys mount the Team Bus back to Cleveland – 110-99 victory in-hand – and get their heads together for the third in four late-season battles with the Bulls on Thursday night at The Q.
You know I’ll be there. And you know the Beats will, too. Can we count on you?
I think we can. And I’ll check back with you little blockheads sometime Thursday. In the meantime, remember kids – stay in school and use your brain. Be a doctor, be a lawyer, carry a leather briefcase. Forget about sports as a profession. Sports make you grunt and smell.
Be a thinker, not a stinker.
And if you can handle that, I have no doubt in my mind that you’re able to …
Keep the faith, Cleveland
Your pal,
The Optimist
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