If the Celtics can finish off the Cavaliers it will be an unceremonious start to what could potentially be the worst offseason in Cleveland professional sports history. For a city that hasn't won a major professional sports title since 1964, drafting nearby Akron native LeBron James first overall in 2003 was the breath of fresh air it needed. Then in 2007 LBJ led the Cavs on an unlikely Finals run marked by his famous Game 5 in Detroit of the Eastern Conference Finals where he scored his team's final 2 points in a double overtime victory. Since then LBJ and his Cavaliers teams have had high expectations. While LBJ has obtained individual success, with 2 straight regular season MVPs, and the Cavs have achieved 2 straight seasons of 60+ wins and the NBA's best record, the Cavs playoff performances have been nothing close to their regular season dominance.
In 2008-09, Cleveland had a league best 66-16 regular season record only to be bounced in the Eastern Conference Finals 4-2 by the Orlando Magic. That series could've been worse, as a miracle buzzer beater 3-pointer by LBJ was the only thing keeping the Cavs from being swept. Now in 2009-10 the Cavs once again had the league's best record of 61-21, but now are on the verge of being bounced a full round earlier against a team that many, including myself, was washed up and done.
After all of that regular season success and postseason distress, LBJ will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. If Cleveland loses Thursday, it may not even be it's biggest loss this season.
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