There was so much for coach Byron Scott to do during the offseason as he prepared the Cleveland Cavaliers for this upcoming season. Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour writes how Scott wanted to do all he could to help the fans give over the departure of LeBron James. He took a step in the right direction with Wednesday night's victory...
Cavs forward J.J. Hickson There was so much for coach Byron Scott to do during the offseason as he prepared the Cleveland Cavaliers for this upcoming season. Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour writes how Scott wanted to do all he could to help the fans give over the departure of LeBron James.
He took a step in the right direction with Wednesday night's victory over the Boston Celtics in the season opener.
He needed to see competitiveness. He needed to see fire.
Scott saw all that and more. As the Cavs pulled out a stunning 95-87 victory over the Celtics, hope and promise reigned in Quicken Loans Arena. After Daniel ''Boobie'' Gibson sank two free throws with 8.2 seconds left, confetti fell from the rafters again.
Ridenour writes that when it came to J.J. Hickson, hope and promise reigned. And when it came to effort and hope, promise reigned.
When it came to a never-say-die attitude, hope and promise reigned.
With 7:23 left in the second quarter, a cheer of ''Let's Go Cavs!'' erupted from section 231 in the upper reaches of Quicken Loans Arena and the team responded. Trailing 32-25, the Cavs reeled off six consecutive points, four by Hickson and two by Ramon Sessions, forcing Boston coach Doc Rivers to take a timeout. Fans roared.
The place was really jumping after Hickson's fastbreak layup gave the Cavs an 86-84 lead with 3:09 to go.
Love for Boston
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said it all following last night's game.
“I think we’re the most popular team in Cleveland right now, beating Miami and then losing to the Cavs.”
The Miami reference is to LeBron James, who left his home area in the lurch last summer. Let’s just say Rivers had an interesting walk around town yesterday.
“I did get some handshakes,” he said, referring to the Celts’ opening night win. “That was nice. Lots of them. They said thank you. I don’t know what that means. I do, but I laughed. I thought it was pretty funny.”
Game stories
Cleveland.com: Opening night is all right.
Ohio.com: Cavaliers show Celtics, and fans how to start.
The News-Herald: Second to savor.
Boston Globe: Not so fast.
Boston Herald: LeBron James-less Cavaliers beat Boston.
Fanhouse.com: Cavs start faster than heat.