Victory in Cleveland
Photo by Jake Thacker on Unsplash
Finally, something to cheer about. In the midst of loud chatter about the political state of our country’s affairs, and the debilitating sadness in the wake of terror, the Cleveland Cavaliers have shown us that joy can be tangible and there is no expiration date on hope.As a mediocre sports fan, I’ve never followed professional basketball until my son, (a long time LeBron James enthusiast) encouraged me to get on board as the Cavaliers navigated their way through the NBA playoffs. It wasn’t hard. The wave of collective cheering and sense of belonging to something positive was infectious. For me, it provided a much-needed respite from the loud opinions and negative rhetoric screeching from the airwaves. Soon enough, I was “ALL IN.”Sports bring people together. A successful team can lift a community, transcending differences of individuals towards a common goal. When a team repeatedly wins, the celebrations and high-fives are easy. When teams consistently struggle, the call to remain positive amidst one disappointing season after another brings out the daily choice to remain loyal despite the odds. For Cleveland, the lack of success in their professional sports teams mirrored the economic strife this city has endured. Struggle epitomized life not only in the sports arena, but around many kitchen tables as well.And then the Cavaliers began to win. The promise of their repeat participation in the NBA finals soon gave way to familiar worry. The Cavaliers were the underdog. They were down 3 games to 1 in the best of 7 series. They were up against a team whose record was the best in the NBA, losing only 9 games all season. They weren’t supposed to win, but Cleveland fans never gave up, choosing instead to believe and remain gathered in solidarity.
Immediately after the buzzer rang victory, LeBron James arguably the best NBA player in the country, was asked why this championship meant so much more than his previous two wins while playing for the Miami Heat. With tears streaming unbridled down his cheeks, he said the simple words, “Because I’m home.”
His words struck a chord with me. The Cavaliers’ win tapped into something I feel we’re all a bit hungry for. Common celebration, overcoming odds, and feeling like we’re home with one another have dimmed. Differences seem to define us more than the common threads of our communities. Calls to gather in harmless pride are the kind of home-grown attributes we crave in this time of political and social unrest. Collective cheering is just plain good for the soul when life has not been easy. At least for a few days, cheers for Cleveland will elicit smiles, spark grocery line conversations, and leave us feeling good about something greater than ourselves.It’s just a basketball in a hoop, I know. But it connects us to something more. I’m sure for all Clevelanders, Cavalier fans, and my son, the vibration of this win will resonate in that place of collective joy, binding so many in that home-town glow. It’s as if we are all sitting on the back porch enjoying the simple pleasures of being good neighbors. Some have become sour on our country’s ability to come together in the same hopes and solidarity. But then again, the Cleveland Cavaliers just won the national championship.