To bring real closure -- a word I heard more than once following Tuesday's win -- the stakes have to be much greater.
Scott Shaw / The Plain DealerThe chants may not have been quite as ferocious on Tuesday, but Cavaliers fans don't look quite ready to forgive and forget when it comes to LeBron, says Bud Shaw. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's not over until Cleveland Fan says it is...
The Cavs had a nice win over LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and that cardboard cutout of Chris Bosh the Heat dragged up and down the court at The Q Tuesday night.
The proverb says revenge is a dish best served cold. From July 8 to March 29 is a long enough wait to qualify in that regard. (Note to Cavs: for future reference, revenge can also be tasty served lukewarm or even red hot. So no need to be so calculated in planning the next comeuppance of the Heat.)
But for revenge to bring real closure -- a word I heard more than once following Tuesday's win, just never from real Cleveland fans who know better -- the stakes have to be much greater.
At any rate, I'm not going to stand idly by and let anyone underestimate this sports town's reservoir of bitterness and capacity for holding a grudge. Revenge is beating the Heat at the end of March and waking up to 15 wins in the NBA standings. Tastes great, but not exactly filling.
Closure is beating the Heat and waking to 51 wins in the standings.
Revenge is keeping the Heat from making a claim on the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Closure is beating Miami for the bigger reward of leapfrogging the Heat or Boston for playoff position.
Late Tuesday, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert tweeted: "Not in our garage!!"
Funny. Revenge is pointing LBJ's horsemen and their horseless carriage away from the underground parking because they didn't call ahead. Closure is a security guard someday seeing the same group and saying, "And you are? And you're with?"
And meaning it.
Closure is James missing the introductions because he's in the bathroom with a nervous stomach just thinking of the tough slog he'll face every time he drives to the basket.
Revenge is James missing the introductions because he's in the bathroom fishing for a quarter for the pay toilet Gilbert just had installed in the visiting locker room that afternoon.
(That didn't happen. I'm making that up ... I think.)
John Bazemore / Associated PressThere may be no way to easily dim the mutual admiration society of the Heat trio, but a few untimely losses might help the situation, says Bud Shaw. Revenge is winning one of four from the Heat in James' first year gone. Closure is winning four in the postseason.
After such a miserable year, it's not surprising if some outsiders confused the two. But there's a lot more bitterness where that came confetti came from Tuesday. And reason for even more therapy when the Cavs once again give you reason to ask:
Where was this effort in December, and on most nights since?
Then again, it did more than just beat the alternative ...
The timing of the Cavs win couldn't be better in one regard, coming two days after James, Bosh and Wade impressed themselves by becoming just the second triumvirate to each score 30 points and grab 10 rebounds in regulation. Miami narrowly beat Houston.
"It's a true testament to the reason we all came together," Wade said at the time. "That was history. ... It's a great feat."
Yes, a March feat. And quite the springboard, obviously.
When the scouting report said he had a "rocket," everyone assumed it meant his arm ...
Tampa Rays' third baseman Evan Longoria had a AK47 stolen from the spring training home he shared with two teammates. Longoria refused to discuss the items stolen. He referred to the incident as a "personal" matter.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office did say the gun was "perfectly legal" and "absolutely, perfectly legitimate, fully documented."
Well, then. Makes perfect sense.
Case closed.
HE SAID IT
"Coach, we're gonna talk about this one all summer." -- An arena security guard, to Byron Scott, in a AP story after the Cavs's win over the Heat.
Unfortunately, he's probably right.
SEPARATED AT BIRTH
(March Madness Volume III)
Butler University's Matt Howard and Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg -- Brad Pyner
Kentucky's Josh Harrellson and Yankees' outfielder Nick Swisher -- Matt Zagorc, Euclid
SPINOFFS
ESPN basketball commentator Jalen Rose was arrested in Michigan on suspicion of drunken driving. No word yet on how he plans to blame Duke...
Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerTravis Hafner batted .304 in Arizona, but with just a lone homer in 56 at-bats, he didn't exactly ease some longstanding concerns from Indians fans. Ever the supportive manager, Manny Acta says he has "no problem with Travis Hafner's hitting." To which Indian Fan says, "So, you're the one..."
Yahoo Sports headline: "Cavs get revenge on Heat." OK, OK, good to see the Cavs back on the national radar. Related headline: "Hollis Stars." Hollins, too...
The Pro Football Weekly draft preview rips apart Auburn quarterback Cam Newton as having a "sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble ... does not command respect ... lacks accountability ... not dependable ..."
Why do I get the feeling Terrelle Pryor just got another idea for his eye black in Week 6 next year? ...
A boxing match featuring Jose Canseco was cancelled after promoters discovered Canseco sent his twin brother, Ozzie, in his place. It was easy to recognize the switch since Ozzie's chin is made of a different kind of glass...
The burglars who reportedly made off with Longoria's AK47 from his spring training home apparently thought his catapult and cannon balls were too heavy to carry ...
San Francisco Giants' equipment manager Mike Murphy testified in Barry Bonds' perjury trial that Bonds' hat size grew from 7 1/4 to 7 3/8 between 2000 and 2002 even as Bonds began shaving his head. Too much praise can do that ...
YOU SAID IT
"Bud:
"Which do you find the better feel-good story of the spring: The fierce battle Lou Marson waged to win the backup catching job. Or Matt LaPorta fending off all comers to secure his iron-clad grasp on first base? Both bring me to the verge of tears." -- Jeff, Westlake
Just guessing here. You are not "In The Tribe?"
"Bud:
"I'm shopping for scarlet or gray sweater vests. Any advice?" -- Tom Hoffner
Yes. Since everything is a barter these days in Columbus, don't trade pants you are wearing at the time.
"Bud:
"How long do you think you can use the pen name 'Tom Hoffner' before your Plain Dealer editors catch on?" -- Anne
Thank you for assuming they read me.
"Bud:
"Can we promote Baron Davis to like a 'Duke' or an 'Earl' or something?" -- Pat
After one start? Only if the other choice is putting his jersey in the rafters next to Nate Thurmond's.
"Bud:
"If the Tribe is unable to acquire a veteran third baseman like Brook Jacoby, do you think Manny Acta will be forced to switch from the traditional 4-3 infield defense to the 3-4?" -- The Albatross
First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.
"Bud:
"Back when you were a preening, pampered young stud on your campus newspaper staff, did you ever get any discounted chocolate malts in return for your freshman beanie?" -- Moldo
Repeat winners get hazed.