Rager
The Rise
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2009
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- 342
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I was thinking about making a thread for Cleveland sports fans that are not from the area (from overseas or other cities/states/countries). I don’t know if this is the right section, but as the topic is related to the Cavs, I decided to create it here. Mods feel free to move it or change the title for a more fitting one.
With this new influx of new posters I was really interested in getting to know Why, When and How did we all became fans of the Cavs (and Browns, Indians and so on). Felt like an interesting and fun idea.
Personally, I became a fan of the Cavaliers around 2006 I’d say. I started paying more attention to the world of the NBA (was a football – as in soccer for you – junkie) around that time and really liked some teams on the playoffs, namely New Jersey and Phoenix. Then I noticed the Cleveland Cavaliers...
Still remember how amazing that series against the Wizards was and how great of a player that kid with the number 23 was. At that point in time I really didn’t understand that much about the NBA but I found, for the first time, something that until today I can’t really explain in words, my love for the Cavs.
In 2007 I followed the NBA and the Cavs much closely. Those playoffs were great. The Detroit games from LeBron and Gibson were so memorable and then the, expected in a way, disappointment… Losing that way on the finals… So close yet so far. I was not the fan I am today then, but it hurt anyway.
I then started reading about the History of Cleveland sports and it really hit me. So many unfortunate events. But it also created a bond with me, can’t say why. Maybe because my football team hasn’t won in 12 years and have been through some tough times, but it doesn’t compare to a 50+ drought of titles.
Those next three years were so much fun. I loved the players and the team. Everyone knew that number 23 was the best one, but I freaking loved Z, Andy, Red and all the chemistry between the team.
Around 2007 or 08 I was discussing the NBA on Portuguese and International forums until I decided to search for a Cavs only forum. And I checked for some months (CavFanatic – yeah I know) and only some time later discovered RealCavsFans. I lurked during some months and then decided to register after knowing for sure this was an amazing crazy community.
The constant failures to Orlando and Boston on the playoffs were hard. But many games and moments were so enjoyable. The outburst against the Bucks, the Andy game winner, the Mo dunk, the “Get off your hands Ferry!”, the buzzer beater against Golden State and the Magic, the doughnuts, the KFC rap, and so on. And some bad moments too. I can’t forget when Sundiata Gaines hit a buzzer beater against us, in Utah... My mind was blown.
And you have to have in mind that, mostly Europeans, have to watch the games during really bad hours. We have to get sleep too…
I had to watch like 80% of the games on shitty streams (from 2010-2014 basically because before, the playoffs were on TV) and shitty hours. Staying up until 4 or 5 AM just to see the Cavs get blown out. But there were great moments too.
And then the offseason of 2010. Just brutal. I even donated for our Banner and, as someone here said, today I don’t feel so bad for that! It kinda worked in a way.
The Decision was heartbreaking, I even shed some tears, I grew very close to the team and the fans and that was the moment that would break all up…
I, as pretty much everyone, started hating the guy. But I can say that the last four years strengthened my bond to the Cavs and the city of Cleveland. I checked RCF on a daily basis and talked through PM to some members, I just posted less, and thanked more. And changed nickname a few times. And I also lurked and posted on some other forums. With all the thrashing of the city and the franchise I started getting really defensive.
That first year was a clusterfuck. Wow.
The team and some lineups were so bad. Just… I can’t erase from my mind the 26 loss streak ( I watched every game.. Hoping for the streak to end) and the 55 point loss to the Lakers. But I also loved the few games we got from Baron Davis. Watching Joe Haden on the sidelines with the beard was epic. But at the end it was all worth it. Getting Kyrie was amazing, I was so ecstatic. With the drafting of Tristan I was kind of confused, but whatever.
The first year with Irving was so much better, we had something to look for. And had some great moments. The game winners against Boston and Denver were great, after missing a easy one (layup) against the Pacers. I really think that that miss was the spark that Kyrie needed, he then became one of the most clutch players in the league. Can’t forget Byron Scott telling the refs to go fuck themselves… Classic.
Onto the draft again. In this one, with the fourth pick, I really was.. Just… Wow. I had no words. I just blank stared at the PC for 10 minutes.
What? Dion Waiters? I checked the RCF draft gurus during all the predraft threads and Dion wasn’t really thought as a possibility. Even with Tyler I was confused.
But not much after, Dion really became my favorite player in the league. He still is. Without a doubt. I love his game and the fire he has. He doesn’t give a shit about who the opponent is, he just wants kill them. Great to see.
Another year that passed, with some good moments. The All Star and Rookie game were great. I really enjoyed watching Dion. I hated watching the Suns comeback from 26 down and win… So many road bumps.
With the Bennett draft I was really expecting the worst. The rehire of Brown. Then I got really happy with the signings of Jack, Clark and Bynum. How wrong was I.
Shitty season to say the least. But I loved watching AB hitting his first shot against the Bucks and the Dion shot against the Pistons. I hate that franchise and team. Fuck them. That buzzer beater really fucked Detroit in the ass too. Amazing. And they got out before the Michigan State Police found them!
Getting the first pick again made no sense. But it was great. I was really hoping to get Embiid, but after all the bad news Wiggins made the most sense.
And I was ready to root for a team composed of Kyrie-Dion-Wiggins-Bennett-Tyler/Andy. Watching the young pups getting to the playoffs as a low seed.
What we’ve been through… And here we are.
With the greatest basketball player in the world back to his hometown team. Great to see. And the expectations for the future are amazing.
There’s nothing more than I want than to see a Cleveland sports team be champion. My preference is obviously the Cavs, but it doesn’t matter. I feel like a Clevelander. I have said this to some fellow posters, that I really bonded and feel as a native from Cleveland.
I have no connection to Cleveland. No family. Nothing. But I’m very passionate about the city and everything that relates to it. Can’t explain it. It just clicked.
Through the years I saw everybody shitting on the franchise and the city and I defended it, even though I’ve never been there. I feel I’m from there or something. Can’t put into words. I relate to you, to the people of Cleveland. You’re used to people thrashing the city or the Browns or the Cavs, etc. As I didn’t live through those letdowns, I was never used to that kind of treatment. And I got really, but really defensive about the city and its people. Now I’m more accustomed to that, but it still gets on my nerves. To the Cleveland haters:
Speaking of the last four years I can’t really forget to mention some soldiers. The Sharpshoota, Donald Sloan. DJ Kennedy, Manny Harris, Samardo, Ryan Hollins, Hudson, Semih Erden, Luke Walton, Casspi, Eyenga, Alonzo, Gody, Sessions, Joey Graham, Elk Shyt and so many more. So much respect. So many stories and episodes. Without these legends we wouldn’t stand where we are today.
It was also fun rooting against the Heat every year. For the first and second year I really hated LeBron, but after that I got indifferent to the guy. Just hoped they loss everytime. And, related to this topic, I think this gif should be retired, it was legendary during the last few years:
My life had many turns during the last few years, and I’m now posting from the other side of the world, with a shitty Internet connection. I probably won’t be able to see Cavs games through streams, only downloading them after. But as always, I check RCF daily. I could say much more, but it's too long already. Looks like someones essay.
I can say without a doubt I’m a diehard Cleveland sports fan. I’m still trying to get into football (Browns). Don’t really understand it fully.
Really looking forward to read about fellow Cavs fans, how you became a fan of this great city and franchise! Share them.
Cheers!
With this new influx of new posters I was really interested in getting to know Why, When and How did we all became fans of the Cavs (and Browns, Indians and so on). Felt like an interesting and fun idea.
Personally, I became a fan of the Cavaliers around 2006 I’d say. I started paying more attention to the world of the NBA (was a football – as in soccer for you – junkie) around that time and really liked some teams on the playoffs, namely New Jersey and Phoenix. Then I noticed the Cleveland Cavaliers...
Still remember how amazing that series against the Wizards was and how great of a player that kid with the number 23 was. At that point in time I really didn’t understand that much about the NBA but I found, for the first time, something that until today I can’t really explain in words, my love for the Cavs.
In 2007 I followed the NBA and the Cavs much closely. Those playoffs were great. The Detroit games from LeBron and Gibson were so memorable and then the, expected in a way, disappointment… Losing that way on the finals… So close yet so far. I was not the fan I am today then, but it hurt anyway.
I then started reading about the History of Cleveland sports and it really hit me. So many unfortunate events. But it also created a bond with me, can’t say why. Maybe because my football team hasn’t won in 12 years and have been through some tough times, but it doesn’t compare to a 50+ drought of titles.
Those next three years were so much fun. I loved the players and the team. Everyone knew that number 23 was the best one, but I freaking loved Z, Andy, Red and all the chemistry between the team.
Around 2007 or 08 I was discussing the NBA on Portuguese and International forums until I decided to search for a Cavs only forum. And I checked for some months (CavFanatic – yeah I know) and only some time later discovered RealCavsFans. I lurked during some months and then decided to register after knowing for sure this was an amazing crazy community.
The constant failures to Orlando and Boston on the playoffs were hard. But many games and moments were so enjoyable. The outburst against the Bucks, the Andy game winner, the Mo dunk, the “Get off your hands Ferry!”, the buzzer beater against Golden State and the Magic, the doughnuts, the KFC rap, and so on. And some bad moments too. I can’t forget when Sundiata Gaines hit a buzzer beater against us, in Utah... My mind was blown.
And you have to have in mind that, mostly Europeans, have to watch the games during really bad hours. We have to get sleep too…
I had to watch like 80% of the games on shitty streams (from 2010-2014 basically because before, the playoffs were on TV) and shitty hours. Staying up until 4 or 5 AM just to see the Cavs get blown out. But there were great moments too.
And then the offseason of 2010. Just brutal. I even donated for our Banner and, as someone here said, today I don’t feel so bad for that! It kinda worked in a way.
The Decision was heartbreaking, I even shed some tears, I grew very close to the team and the fans and that was the moment that would break all up…
I, as pretty much everyone, started hating the guy. But I can say that the last four years strengthened my bond to the Cavs and the city of Cleveland. I checked RCF on a daily basis and talked through PM to some members, I just posted less, and thanked more. And changed nickname a few times. And I also lurked and posted on some other forums. With all the thrashing of the city and the franchise I started getting really defensive.
That first year was a clusterfuck. Wow.
The team and some lineups were so bad. Just… I can’t erase from my mind the 26 loss streak ( I watched every game.. Hoping for the streak to end) and the 55 point loss to the Lakers. But I also loved the few games we got from Baron Davis. Watching Joe Haden on the sidelines with the beard was epic. But at the end it was all worth it. Getting Kyrie was amazing, I was so ecstatic. With the drafting of Tristan I was kind of confused, but whatever.
The first year with Irving was so much better, we had something to look for. And had some great moments. The game winners against Boston and Denver were great, after missing a easy one (layup) against the Pacers. I really think that that miss was the spark that Kyrie needed, he then became one of the most clutch players in the league. Can’t forget Byron Scott telling the refs to go fuck themselves… Classic.
Onto the draft again. In this one, with the fourth pick, I really was.. Just… Wow. I had no words. I just blank stared at the PC for 10 minutes.
What? Dion Waiters? I checked the RCF draft gurus during all the predraft threads and Dion wasn’t really thought as a possibility. Even with Tyler I was confused.
But not much after, Dion really became my favorite player in the league. He still is. Without a doubt. I love his game and the fire he has. He doesn’t give a shit about who the opponent is, he just wants kill them. Great to see.
Another year that passed, with some good moments. The All Star and Rookie game were great. I really enjoyed watching Dion. I hated watching the Suns comeback from 26 down and win… So many road bumps.
With the Bennett draft I was really expecting the worst. The rehire of Brown. Then I got really happy with the signings of Jack, Clark and Bynum. How wrong was I.
Shitty season to say the least. But I loved watching AB hitting his first shot against the Bucks and the Dion shot against the Pistons. I hate that franchise and team. Fuck them. That buzzer beater really fucked Detroit in the ass too. Amazing. And they got out before the Michigan State Police found them!
Getting the first pick again made no sense. But it was great. I was really hoping to get Embiid, but after all the bad news Wiggins made the most sense.
And I was ready to root for a team composed of Kyrie-Dion-Wiggins-Bennett-Tyler/Andy. Watching the young pups getting to the playoffs as a low seed.
What we’ve been through… And here we are.
With the greatest basketball player in the world back to his hometown team. Great to see. And the expectations for the future are amazing.
There’s nothing more than I want than to see a Cleveland sports team be champion. My preference is obviously the Cavs, but it doesn’t matter. I feel like a Clevelander. I have said this to some fellow posters, that I really bonded and feel as a native from Cleveland.
I have no connection to Cleveland. No family. Nothing. But I’m very passionate about the city and everything that relates to it. Can’t explain it. It just clicked.
Through the years I saw everybody shitting on the franchise and the city and I defended it, even though I’ve never been there. I feel I’m from there or something. Can’t put into words. I relate to you, to the people of Cleveland. You’re used to people thrashing the city or the Browns or the Cavs, etc. As I didn’t live through those letdowns, I was never used to that kind of treatment. And I got really, but really defensive about the city and its people. Now I’m more accustomed to that, but it still gets on my nerves. To the Cleveland haters:
Speaking of the last four years I can’t really forget to mention some soldiers. The Sharpshoota, Donald Sloan. DJ Kennedy, Manny Harris, Samardo, Ryan Hollins, Hudson, Semih Erden, Luke Walton, Casspi, Eyenga, Alonzo, Gody, Sessions, Joey Graham, Elk Shyt and so many more. So much respect. So many stories and episodes. Without these legends we wouldn’t stand where we are today.
It was also fun rooting against the Heat every year. For the first and second year I really hated LeBron, but after that I got indifferent to the guy. Just hoped they loss everytime. And, related to this topic, I think this gif should be retired, it was legendary during the last few years:
My life had many turns during the last few years, and I’m now posting from the other side of the world, with a shitty Internet connection. I probably won’t be able to see Cavs games through streams, only downloading them after. But as always, I check RCF daily. I could say much more, but it's too long already. Looks like someones essay.
I can say without a doubt I’m a diehard Cleveland sports fan. I’m still trying to get into football (Browns). Don’t really understand it fully.
Really looking forward to read about fellow Cavs fans, how you became a fan of this great city and franchise! Share them.
Cheers!