Events Calendar
In This Section
Nudity concerns in Colorado town prompting new rules
Boeing accelerates production of 747, 777 models
Ilgauskas back in Cleveland area
Ohio AG warns about new bogus check scams
Mentally ill Ohio inmates refuse post-prison help
When it comes to sleep, few of us are getting enough
Pain in the tank: Gas prices highest since 2008
Ohio officer who died during chase laid to rest
Obama effigy hung at Rhode Island school with fired teachers
Most Read Stories
Suspect arrested in killing of soldier in Akron
Passers-by call police over topless gardener
Tallmadge man dies after motorcycle crash
Wadsworth police chief not interested in desk job
Teen accused of drinking, dancing topless in club
Akron police arrest suspect in Iraq war veteran's killing
Quake leaves area travelers high and dry
Cavs' Varejao earning big contract
Falls considers spending $195,000 on Portage Trail design plans
Blogs:
Akron Docs in Haiti:
Almost home
First Bell - On Education:
21st Century Skills and Akron’s new middle school
Pets:
Lost Mini Schnauzer around Cascade Valley Park
The Heldenfiles:
Fess Parker, R.I.P.
Akron Zips:
Is it time to go after transfers?
Tribe Matters:
Wood sidelined at least six weeks
Cleveland Browns:
Yates latest to re-sign
Balanced Ledger:
How times have changed?
Kent State Sports:
Kent State @ Illinois – NIT notebook
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Chicago Bulls (Green Mascot and All)
Buckeye Blogging:
Bucks High Seed – Turner High Praise
Varsity Letters:
Jackson advances to Division I state semifinal
All Da King's Men:
ObamaCare To Reduce Premiums By 3000% ?
Blog of Mass Destruction:
The Bigotry Of The Baggers
Akron Law Café:
More on Shaming Corporate Criminals
Car Chase:
2010 CONCOURS SEASON IS UPON US
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Deals in Miami?!.
Sound Check:
Willie Nelson & Family coming to the Akron Civic Theatre May 11
See Jane Style:
Who Wore What – The Oscars
HRLite House:
Horses of Courses
Akron Gamer:
Video: Gamers expected to 'reach' for new 'Halo'
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 12:50 a.m. EDT, May 23, 2009
CLEVELAND: The Cavaliers needed a miracle Friday night.
A one-second miracle.
They got one in one of the most uplifting and most exciting ways possible.
It came with a 3-point shot in the air as time expired, a 3-point shot rattling into the basket as the horn sounded.
A game, a playoff series, perhaps even a season had been saved. The Cavs had a 96-95 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
The Cavs got a miracle years ago when that pingpong ball turned up in their favor and gave them LeBron James in the NBA draft lottery.
Friday night, James returned the miracle.
But is it a miracle when this 24-year-old continually makes these kind of shots, these kind of plays, these kind of special moments?
Perhaps it is just one more special play by a special player who seems to be determined to single-handedly change the fortunes of a franchise — and a city.
Behind by two with one second left, the Cavs had little hope.
And all that hope rested on James, whose shoulders had carried the Cavs all season long.
James first stepped toward the basket, intent on getting a lob. But he was cut off by Hedo Turkoglu.
''So LeBron said, 'I'm going to win it,' '' Cavs coach Mike Brown said.
James jumped out beyond the 3-point line.
''We didn't tell him to do that,'' Brown said. ''He did that on his own.''
Mo Williams inbounded to James, who rose up from 25 feet over Turkoglu to sink a shot and prompt a roar from Quicken Loans Arena that could be heard at St. Vincent-St. Mary.
The red lights signaling the end of the game went off with the ball in the air.
The ball rattled the back of the rim, the front of the rim, and settled right into the basket.
Despair and worry had changed to exultation. With one miraculous shot, a team's dream changed from being put on life support to alive and kicking.
The crowd erupted. Williams dropped to his knees and slapped the floor with his right hand. James raised a fist in the air, then ran down the court with a shocked look on his face before his teammates mobbed him.
Cleveland sports has seen so many daggers, so much pain.
But if anyone can change that hex that seems to hang over the pro sports teams, it's James. The Cavs had one shot — one shot to win. James took it confidently, surely, fading slightly to his left at the top of the circle, and he made it.
Write it down, and mark it in the memory books.
It's ''The Shot'' for Cavs fans.
Cleveland teams don't win games this way. They lose them on a running 11-footer in the lane by Turkoglu, a shot that surely seemed would send the Cavs to Orlando behind 2-0.
Instead, they go to Orlando tied at a game apiece, and it's a series again.
Wow.
For some time, the Cavs seemed to be playing a replay of Game 1. They started fast and took a 23-point lead in the first half.
But the Magic chipped away and during a timeout with 6:08 left, the Cavs looked anything but confident.
To that point in the game, James had made 11 baskets. The rest of the team had 19. In the third quarter, James had 11 of the Cavs' 19 points. But after the timeout, things changed.
Williams made a runner left of the basket. Zydrunas Ilgauskas got free at the foul line and made a jump shot. Williams made a 3-pointer.
And following another timeout with 2:45 left — prompted by Ilgauskas hitting the floor for a loose ball — Williams made a tear-drop in the lane.
The Cavs led by three and had the ball after the Magic missed a 3-pointer.
But the Magic would not go away.
If they proved anything these two games, it's that the Cavs will have to work with every ounce of effort and energy in their bodies to win this series.
The two games have come down to the final seconds, with both teams winning on late 3-pointers.
The Cavs tried a different defensive approach in Game 2.
They attacked Dwight Howard aggressively with double-teams, and he finished with just eight shots and 10 points.
They used Sasha Pavlovic a lot on Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis.
They gave Ben Wallace more minutes on Howard, and he and Ilgauskas played Howard much more aggressively.
But with one measly second left, it all seemed for naught.
The Cavs needed something special.
They got it from the guy who took the MVP trophy to his high school.
James' 3-pointer was the only one he made all night.
The season lives.
Thanks to the guy who gave the Cavs the miracle they needed.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon
CLEVELAND: The Cavaliers needed a miracle Friday night.
A one-second miracle.
They got one in one of the most uplifting and most exciting ways possible.
It came with a 3-point shot in the air as time expired, a 3-point shot rattling into the basket as the horn sounded.
A game, a playoff series, perhaps even a season had been saved. The Cavs had a 96-95 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
The Cavs got a miracle years ago when that pingpong ball turned up in their favor and gave them LeBron James in the NBA draft lottery.
Friday night, James returned the miracle.
But is it a miracle when this 24-year-old continually makes these kind of shots, these kind of plays, these kind of special moments?
Perhaps it is just one more special play by a special player who seems to be determined to single-handedly change the fortunes of a franchise — and a city.
Behind by two with one second left, the Cavs had little hope.
And all that hope rested on James, whose shoulders had carried the Cavs all season long.
James first stepped toward the basket, intent on getting a lob. But he was cut off by Hedo Turkoglu.
''So LeBron said, 'I'm going to win it,' '' Cavs coach Mike Brown said.
James jumped out beyond the 3-point line.
''We didn't tell him to do that,'' Brown said. ''He did that on his own.''
Mo Williams inbounded to James, who rose up from 25 feet over Turkoglu to sink a shot and prompt a roar from Quicken Loans Arena that could be heard at St. Vincent-St. Mary.
The red lights signaling the end of the game went off with the ball in the air.
The ball rattled the back of the rim, the front of the rim, and settled right into the basket.
Despair and worry had changed to exultation. With one miraculous shot, a team's dream changed from being put on life support to alive and kicking.
The crowd erupted. Williams dropped to his knees and slapped the floor with his right hand. James raised a fist in the air, then ran down the court with a shocked look on his face before his teammates mobbed him.
Cleveland sports has seen so many daggers, so much pain.
But if anyone can change that hex that seems to hang over the pro sports teams, it's James. The Cavs had one shot — one shot to win. James took it confidently, surely, fading slightly to his left at the top of the circle, and he made it.
Write it down, and mark it in the memory books.
It's ''The Shot'' for Cavs fans.
Cleveland teams don't win games this way. They lose them on a running 11-footer in the lane by Turkoglu, a shot that surely seemed would send the Cavs to Orlando behind 2-0.
Instead, they go to Orlando tied at a game apiece, and it's a series again.
Wow.
For some time, the Cavs seemed to be playing a replay of Game 1. They started fast and took a 23-point lead in the first half.
But the Magic chipped away and during a timeout with 6:08 left, the Cavs looked anything but confident.
To that point in the game, James had made 11 baskets. The rest of the team had 19. In the third quarter, James had 11 of the Cavs' 19 points. But after the timeout, things changed.
Williams made a runner left of the basket. Zydrunas Ilgauskas got free at the foul line and made a jump shot. Williams made a 3-pointer.
And following another timeout with 2:45 left — prompted by Ilgauskas hitting the floor for a loose ball — Williams made a tear-drop in the lane.
The Cavs led by three and had the ball after the Magic missed a 3-pointer.
But the Magic would not go away.
If they proved anything these two games, it's that the Cavs will have to work with every ounce of effort and energy in their bodies to win this series.
The two games have come down to the final seconds, with both teams winning on late 3-pointers.
The Cavs tried a different defensive approach in Game 2.
They attacked Dwight Howard aggressively with double-teams, and he finished with just eight shots and 10 points.
They used Sasha Pavlovic a lot on Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis.
They gave Ben Wallace more minutes on Howard, and he and Ilgauskas played Howard much more aggressively.
But with one measly second left, it all seemed for naught.
The Cavs needed something special.
They got it from the guy who took the MVP trophy to his high school.
James' 3-pointer was the only one he made all night.
The season lives.
Thanks to the guy who gave the Cavs the miracle they needed.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:30 AM, 05/23/2009
LeBron is one in a million! He has never forgotten where he came from, He sets a great example for the kids and gives back to his community. Bursting with pride for Our Cavs!
rootstown, oh
Posted 01:37 AM, 05/23/2009
WOW!unbelievable finish.that team has some mojo again.good job and good luck.(if you listen to the comments of lebron after the game,listen to his leadership command addressed to the team as opposed to "look at me,i made the winning shot".what an impresssive kid who is a role model not only in how he plays,but how he acts.lessons for all)
Alliance, Oh
Posted 06:50 AM, 05/23/2009
It's OUR year! Despite not playing that well in BOTH games, we won one and lost the other by one point. But, this is the two BEST teams in the east as Denver and LA are the two best in the west!
In my opinion, we need to get more physical with Orlando. Force them to drive to the basket and give Lewis and Turgolu a few hard fouls. We finally did it to Turgolu on the layup and Lewis got an elbow in the chin late. It DOES make a difference when they shoot threes when they've hit the floor hard a few times after getting whacked on the way to the hoop. Also, I thought hand checking was illegal. Everytime Lebron drives to the hoop he gets hand checked. I can't understand why that is not called as a foul. I know why it isn't....It's because he's 6-9 and 275 pounds! That should have no bearing on it, but it does.
Snydertown, OH
Posted 08:33 AM, 05/23/2009
Great finish is right !!! Although the rest of the games this season will be nail biters, I don't know if they can win like this in Orlando or against the west. Let's hope. Go Cavs!!!
wadsworth, oh
Posted 08:40 AM, 05/23/2009
What happens if the king goes down or is doubled and kept in check? Series over? Or already? Old addage- no "I",nor"L",nor"K" in team.I know he's an unselfish superstar-but the rest of the team has to pick it up.Cleve.sports has a knack of choking.I hope they pull it out.This area needs all the boost it can get.Don't want to lose the "king". Go Cavs!
Naples, FL
Posted 09:05 AM, 05/23/2009
When the Cavs go on to win the NBA title, that shot will replace the "Jordan over Ehlo" shot we've all had to watch all those millions of times. This will be the replay for the new generation! Go Cavs!
Posted 09:09 AM, 05/23/2009
Just some thoughts:
Why does it feel like a loss?
How can 2 teams with less talent like Philly n Boston handle Orlando better than we are?
Even Orlando fans will have to agree, when the Cavs play like they are capable (the first half of both games) Orlando doesn't have a chance. Why are the Cavs again struggling after halftime?
How great was that little kid TNT showed before Lebron hit the shot. Did he not symbolize Cleveland sports. All I could think of was get use to it kid!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 09:26 AM, 05/23/2009
Hey Teddyd - this game did feel like a loss. They have to do something about blowing these big leads. I know teams have runs in them, but they have come out in the second half flat both games. There is no aggressiveness. I feel they need to attack the hoop more in the second half. Take the game inside. When they were doing that, they had success.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 10:22 AM, 05/23/2009
Sheesh, there's always one or two "glass-half-empty" people waiting to try and take the wind out of your sails. It felt like a loss? It was a "W", baby. Ask LeBron - the only thing that matters is the "W" in the win/loss column. Period. Lighten up and enjoy the ride. GO CAVS!
Posted 10:31 AM, 05/23/2009
I never knew Big Z could run so fast. Once LeBron hit the game winner, he tore up the court so fast, I thought his pants were on fire. Incredible shot. Once in the air, the shot looked a little long but some how found the back of the rim.
As far as the series, I think the Cavs only stand a chance at beating the Magic by outshooting them. Mo and Delonte MUST step it up and hit more shots. Delonte seemed a little passive in this last game and Mo was too wound up for 3 quarters but came to the rescue in the fourth quarter with some big shots.
The Cavs really play well when they are hitting their 3's and they will have to do that against Orlando especially if the Magic keep shooting the way they have been.
Oh and one more thing...they MUST defend the pick and roll better. No easy layups.
Larsen, WI
Posted 10:48 AM, 05/23/2009
Cavaliers are in deep trouble. This is two games in a row they have blown the lead. It took Lebron's miracle shot to win this game at home. Mike Brown is getting out coached by Stan Van Gundy.
Posted 12:06 PM, 05/23/2009
Really? A miracle? The Cavs were the best team during the regular season, and are facing a lower-ranked opponent. Winning the game shouldn't require a miracle shot.
Stow, OH
Posted 12:23 PM, 05/23/2009
To state the obvious, this is a tough serires. Now, we must take back the home court advatage. I think that as "must-win" games, game three in Orlando ranks only a hair's width below game two.
Posted 03:05 PM, 05/23/2009
If KJ's starting cast does not step up, the CAVS can hang it up. If he gets some support an NBA championship is at hand. We'll see!
Posted 04:22 PM, 05/23/2009
the cavs are in no trouble now, the magic should have closed us out when they had the chance. There goes the series for them, LeBron is about to TAKE OVER.
Posted 06:07 PM, 05/23/2009
i gotta say that i am worried but it is hard to bet against Lebron...even if the rest of the team is choking...
