FanNation - The Republic of Sport

On the eve of the finals once again 2 cities our anxiously waiting for a chance to have a parade. For one city a parade would be nice but for the other it would be a memorable event like none other. For one city it would be a holiday and one of those "I was there when this happened" moments that people will share with thier kids. For fans and residents of Cleveland this may be one of the best times of some peoples lives.

The city of Cleveland has possibly been the worst sports city. Since Lebron was born they have had The drive, The Fumble, The Shot, and Jose Mesa. The city had a football team move to another city and win a superbowl only to have thier team replaced by a terrible front office who has lead to team to one playoff apperence(Which they lost to hated rival Steelers 36-33 thanks to a 17 point 4th quarter comeback). Cleveland fans have had to deal with God awful draft pick (Tim Couch when they could have had Donovan McNabb) after God awful draft pick (Gerald Warren when they could have had LT), after God Awful draft pick (Dejaun Wagner when they could have had Amare Stoudamire). 2 years ago they watched a 96 win baseball team miss the playoffs only to watch division rival Chicago White Sox win. They have had to watch Carlos Boozer turn into a superstar after betraying the team and signing with the Utah Jazz. If you want to dip into the college ranks the state of Ohio had to deal with seeing two national championship teams lose to the same school in two different sports. Even before Lebron was born the city had to deal with Pete Rose running into All-Star Catcher Ray Fassie and Jim Brown calling it quits right before the NFL season.

For Cleveland this can be the Boston Red Sox Moment times three. Niether of the 3 major sports have won since 1964 when the Browns won the NFL championship before it was called the Superbowl. At the time the city came closest was the was 1994 in game 7 against the Marlins where Jose Mesa Blew a lead in the Bottom of the 9th. Of course Cleveland are not a big city so you never hear about as say other bigger and more annoying fan bases.

With all this pressure on a city the attention now turns toward Lebron James. Lebron James could reach a new level with Cleveland we haven't seen since ...well we may have never seen. Considering that basketball is a sport where one player has more of impact than any other sport AND Clevelands long time losing efforts AND that Lebron James is from Ohio...this is incomparable to any other athlete with any other City. Ohio is Lebron James Golden boy and has been since he was number one high school prospect as a sophomore until the Day they won the lottery. In fact May 22nd may turn into a cleveland holiday if Lebron James can Finish the job.

Looking back into recent sports history I say now is the time for Cleveland Sports to fully breakthrough. Since 2000, we have a seen a baseball team break a curse, another baseball team the year after break a drought, a College coach who was never suppose to win win a ring (Roy Williams), a 11 seed make the NCAA final four, Bill Cowher, as a 6 seed, win the superbowl, the Tampa Bay Bucs win a superbowl, and the Yankees not win a championship in 6 seasons. So I got to go with my heart instead of my head and say the Cavs win in San Antonio while the Cleveland Crowds celebrate all night. It been about time right?