Cheer for the Cavs

December 18, 2010. That night was the last time the Cavaliers won a game.

By losing to the Grizzlies tonight, the Cleveland Cavaliers have matched the all-time record for games lost consecutively. 23 games to be exact. Had it not been for that OT win over the Knicks on December 18, the losing streak would be at 34. Unbelievable.

There are a few issues at play here. The elephant in the room is he-who-shall-not-be-named if you live in Cleveland, and LeBron James if you live anywhere else. His departure was last summer ground-shifting. He has been widely criticized and Cleveland took the break-up hard. After losing arguably the best player in the NBA, everyone knew that the Cavs would take a hit, but no one could have seen this coming. This is historic. Better said, it is tragic.

Bryon Scott. I have never been sold on his ability to coach. Granted, he had some success with the Nets and the Hornets. Although what I remember most from those respective tenures is the manner in which he left. In both cases neither teams were able to sustain or build upon their pinnacles of success under Scott. There was no consistency or groundwork laid. The bitterness that LeBron had left only worked for 20 games. The night King James condescended on Cleveland earlier this season was the end for this Cavs team. Since that humiliating night, the Cavs have one win. Scott has been unable to inspire his guys to do anything for him. Maybe LeBron's return and massacre of Cleveland was just that bad that the Cavs' players gave up. James was taunting them the whole game and essentially set the Cavs back to the Shawn Kemp era. He got the last laugh by a long shot. Again, it is all rather tragic.

Can the burning heap that is the Cleveland Cavaliers dignity be salvaged? It will take time, but it will happen. Those fans were treated to some mighty fine basketball for seven years. Once tasted it becomes a much sought after morsel. It is up to management to get it done though. Judging by this year's collapse, management has done a poor job of putting together a team. Understandably, losing LeBron was huge, but you would think that there would be enough players used to winning on the roster that they would not allow the team to become what it has.

Cheer for the Cavs. They got jobbed by LeBron. They need a win more than anyone in the league right now. Don't feel sorry for management, they blew it. Don't feel sorry for the players, they should know better and have more pride than to become the pathetic team they are. Feel sorry for the fans. Sure, Cleveland fans may be the same fans who threw bottles are NFL referees a few years back, but I don't feel any franchise or fanbase deserves the consequences they have felt in the "taking my talents to south beach" fallout.

Go Cavs.