Moving On

A funny thing happened as I listened to sports radio talk about the Miami Heat losing to the Pacers in game 2...

I didn't feel a damn thing.

Non-Clevelanders need to understand- I don't consider myself a malacious or vindictive person- but for LeBron James, I've made an exception. Ever since "The Decision", where he spat in the face of every Cleveland fan that supported him for seven years, I've despised the guy. I went into a funk when he and the Heat destroyed the Cavs in 2011, seriously thought about not following sports anymore when they waltzed into the playoffs, and resigned myself to the following scenario when they beat the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals:

Every single sports announcer in the world: "Well, LeBron James put up 40 points in the deciding game, carrying the Miami Heat to the first of many titles. It's obvious that all he needed to do was leave Cleveland and get rid of that lodestone to achieve the greatness he has been destined for since birth. All hail LeBron!"

And the 'celebration' in Miami, before they even played together? Twisting the knife. Especially when the Cleveland fans heard how much effort he spent trying to get people to come to Miami to join their team- effort he NEVER tried to help get Cleveland over the hump.

Look- I've never been upset when a sports player went for the money. Players only are active for a few years. If Manny Rameriz can earn $20 million more playing for Boston then Cleveland, that's life. The only two times I've been upset were in the NBA- Carlos Boozer, for backing out of a handshake deal to backstab the franchise, and LeBron James- where LeBron took less money to leave his hometown, and went out of his way to embarass the team and city that supported him unconditionally for seven years.

So when Dallas beat Miami in the 2011 NBA Championship? I was happy- but even more so, I was relieved. It wasn't us- it was James. He was the one who had problems. If the Miami Heat were to win the title in 2012 or 2013, the story wouldn't be "James just needed to leave Cleveland to become a champion." It'd be "LeBron James had to overcome his internal demons to become a champion."

So that helped. But I still didn't like the Heat, and dreaded the idea of them winning.

I've made a constant joke about me being a sports curse- I'm a fan of the Cleveland Indians, Cavs, Browns, and Chicago Cubs- to the point that I've said for years I should bet of the teams that I don't like and against the teams I like.

Well, this winter I was in Las Vegas- and put my money where my mouth was. $100 on 6-5 odds of Miami winning the NBA Title in 2012. Either they lose, and I've "weaponized" my sports curse, or they win, and I take comfort in them winning with some filthy lucre. It's a no-lose situation.

But here's the thing: now that I have some skin in the game, now that I actually have a (selfish) reason to root for Miami... I've lost the hatred that I had for them.

I don't know if 'forgive' is the right word- but at this point, Miami is just another team. I'm far more concerned about who the Cavs draft than what Miami does. I'm looking forward to seeing the playoff matchups (especially if the Western Conference Finals is OKC-San Antonio; that should be an epic series) than having conniption fits over the Miami Heat.

And James? I hope he someday does overcome his demons and leads a team to the title...

... the year after the Cavs win their first championship.

PS- The Grizzlies are out, so there went my other bet for the NBA title. It was a 35-1 longshot, but they almost got past the Clippers. The Western Conference is tough.

Viva Las Vegas

I'm turning 40 later this year.  As a present, several of us got together and spent three days in Las Vegas as a celebration.  Had a great time.  Some quick and dirty highlights:

* Won $380 in a poker tournament at the Luxor.  Entered two other tournaments- once had bad cards, once made a bad move.  But the win was a nice ego boost.

* Overall, was up on poker, up on roulette (the five spins I stays), and up on slots (only put $20 in the slots, but we hit a good one).  However, I gave it all back and then some at Blackjack.  I swear, I think the dealers got together beforehand and decided that it was a moral imperative to take our had-earned cash.  I never saw so many dealers pull 20s and 21s out of nowhere. 

* Went to the "Pawn Stars" store.  Smaller than I expected, but a lot of neat items.  Didn't have the money to buy any of the items I wanted, though.

* Sports bets.  Threw $5 on three longshots (Grizzlies to win the NBA title; Cardinals and Dolphins to win next year's Super Bowl). 

More importantly, bet $100 at 6/5 on the Miami Heat winning the NBA title.  Now, I'm not a Miami fan (being a Clevelander and all).  But I've had such bad luck with sports teams (fan of Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavs, Cleveland Browns), that I've half-joked that I am a sports curse.

Well, let's put this to the test.  Now my interest as a fan is in conflict with my interest as a greedy capitalist.  One side must win.  Either I win $120- or Miami doesn't win the Title.  I'm content with both outcomes.




* Coming from 70 in Vegas to 20 in Cleveland is... a radical change in weather.
* Drank well, ate well, had a great time with family and friends.