As A Sports Fan: Is It Better To Have Loved And Lost Than Never To Have Loved At All?

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Analysis, NBA PLAYOFFS

This should be a time of unrestrained and unbridled joy in the city of Cleveland. The Cleveland Cavaliers are awaiting to find out whom they will face in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavaliers have gone through the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs like a hot knife slicing butter; winning both series in four game sweeps.

Whether Cleveland will be taking on the Boston Celtics or the Orlando Magic they will have home-court advantage in the match-up. In fact the Cavaliers have the home-court edge as long as they play in this year’s Post Season having earned it by getting the best record in the Association during the regular campaign.

So why am I sure that my adopted home-town of Cleveland is consumed with trepidation as they wait for the next round of Post Season Games? Because unfortunately that is part of the price of being a Cleveland Sports Fan; you expect the worst to happen! It is never a question of If; rather it is a question of How and When!

Unfortunately sports fans from Northeast Ohio have years of angst to look back on. They can rattle off how their hopes were dashed by each event and each team that fell just short. Whether it was the Browns in the 1980’s, the Indians during the 19990’s or the Cavaliers being swept two years ago in the team’s only appearance in the NBA Finals in franchise history. Cleveland fans have plenty of experience in being ever so close; and the pain hurts just as badly every time one of their teams fall short.

As a fan when you are going through heartbreak you try to tell yourself that someday you will look back on this time and only remember the good parts of the ride. However no matter how far the distance; that day never arrives. The one thing that stands out and keeps the memory a painful one is that your team fell short. That the magical ride your team had been on all year long ended with a whimper not a bang.

However with that in mind what is the alternative? To be fans of the Los Angeles Clippers, the Golden State Warriors or the New York Knicks? To know before the season even begins that there is no way you can be disappointed because your team will once again end up in the lottery? Because as a fan you realize no matter how good the odds look your team can always lose. A devastating injury to a key player, or just a mental error can be the difference between your team being Champions or breaking your heart.

In my opinion there can answer; I would rather have my team eliminated in the seventh game of the NBA Finals than to see their season end in April. Certainly there is pain and disappointment; however your team has still given you an incredible ride! I would rather have the chance of feeling anguish in June than resignation in April.

Regular readers of these pages are well aware that I predicted that this would be the year that Cleveland fans will finally be rewarded for their loyalty and their patience. I truly believe that there barring injury will be a Championship Trophy and a parade in Cleveland by the end of June. Nothing in love or sports is ever guaranteed; but I think this time there will be a happy ending for the city of Cleveland!

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One Response to “As A Sports Fan: Is It Better To Have Loved And Lost Than Never To Have Loved At All?”

tony on May 25th, 2009 6:11 am

Nope just more disapointment for Cleveland this year as the Cavs will lose to Orlando. Its sad but Cleveland will never win anything ever again. I don’t know why but thats the way things are, like the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. No city has undergone so much sports torture its almost unbelievable how bad it really is for cleveland sports, and the horrible truth that it will never get better.

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