Cavs Fan Guide: Ilthy's Glen Infante Wants You To Believe in the WIne and Gold

As soon as the Golden State Warriors had completed their miraculous comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder to assure a rematch of the NBA Finals, they were the favorites. Vegas said so, as did the talking heads constantly cluttering ESPN’s airwaves. No one believed in LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Unless you talked to people in Cleveland. To commemorate the city’s faith in the Wine and Gold, Nike launched the Believe marketing campaign. The crown jewel of the marketing strategy came via local artist and Ilthy clothing company owner Glen Infante, who live painted a mural of 12 players above a bold, wine-colored “Believe” outside Quicken Loans Arena. We caught up with Infante and got the story on how it all came about. 

We were approached by Game Seven Marketing, a marketing firm that works for Nike. They wanted to get in touch with a local artist to help create this campaign, Believe. I was referred to them by DJ Steph Floss. He gave me a call and said I have this huge opportunity for you. Nike had seen my work and they said they really liked my portrait style and wondering if I could do it at on a large scale. It was after Game 2 was over, and the Cavs were coming back home. That’s when they hit me up. There was two days before Game 3, so I had to work really fast. It was very spontaneous. I had to drop everything I was doing to work on this.

I started the design process and came up with that mural. They loved it pretty much instantly. It only has players that have shoe deals with Nike, so Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova aren’t on it.

I did the priming before, so it was painted gold. But the whole stenciling and outlining, that was done on site before the Fan Fest of Game 3. I started around 1 p.m., and the Fan Fest started at 5 p.m. Everyone was chanting “Let’s Go Cavs” while we were painting. It it was impossible to paint 12 giant heads so we ended up painting through the Fan Fest and into the game, but people kept us posted on what was happening.

I do think the campaign has been working. If Game 5 didn’t solidify belief and put a stamp on our campaign, then I don’t think fans had any belief from the beginning. Yeah, they’re not the perfect team, but when they’re clicking they look pretty unbeatable. You have to believe in LeBron, especially with Kyrie by his side. I think we’re going to win tonight. — as to told Kevin Stankiewicz

Cavs Fan Guide: Life According to Hype Man Ahmaad Crump

Ahmaad Crump and Nicole Marcellino: Aaron Josefczk

Game 3 of the NBA Finals was a big win for the Cavs, but now the team — and their fans — need all the hype they can get to protect their home court. They need hype man and in-arena host Ahmaad Crump. But maintaining positive morale for more than 20,000 fans in The Q isn’t an easy task, so Crump takes it each game at a time. We caught up with Crump ahead of tonight’s Game 4 matchup.

I knew I wanted to be an announcer for the team when I joined the organization in 2003 as a member of the Rock Squad for the Cleveland Rockers.

Each game, I just look at the big picture. It’s not a sprint, it’s pretty much a marathon. You’ve got to take it one game at a time and focus on the big picture and focus on the goal that’s ahead.

Being the hype man and getting to be a part of the games by doing the introductions and all of that, it’s one of my favorite parts of the job.

Also being in the community, I’m able to make an impact on the kids and the schools and surprise them with tickets to the games.

My definition of hype is excitement, passion and belief. To be a hype man of a team, you have to believe in what you’re hyping up.

At the end of the day, when you’re out there on the floor, it’s got to be all genuine and all passion.

The difference between the hype of regular season games and Finals is what’s at stake. The regular season is great, but the playoffs and the finals — that’s a brand new scene.

You have to take it up a notch, every single game. Just like the players, you have to give every fan a show.

With us playing the Golden State Warriors for the Finals again, a lot of fans have emotions about it, saying it’s a rematch and revenge. But me, I don’t get into that.

I believe in my heart that we can beat them. All the passion that I have, I decide to just spread it out to all of the fans via my microphone.

Being the hype man, and most of all, being a Cavs fan is one of the greatest feelings ever.

Being able to be a part of a team that I was such a big fan of when I was growing up, it’s definitely a humbling experience.

Cavs Fan Guide: Where to Watch, Eat and Drink Pregame

Photo courtesy Barley House Cleveland

Barley House Cleveland: Score four-bottle Bud Light and Budweiser buckets for $14 during games. Plus, the spot's $5 pizza specials every Thursday make tonight's game a tasty throwdown. 1261 W. Sixth St., Cleveland, 216-623-1700, barleyhousecleveland.com

Clevelander Bar & Grill: Celebrate with the $4 Kevin Love-inspired “Droppin’ Dimes” shot, made with Three Olives Cherry vodka. If you’d rather watch the Cavs make shots than drink them, the Clevelander will have $4 domestic 16-ounce cans, $3.25 short and $4.75 tall domestic drafts available for game time as well. 834 Huron Road E, Cleveland, 216-771-3723, clevelanderbar.com

Eat’n Park: Fans decked out in their best Cavs gear will score a free Smiley Cookie with their meal at Cleveland-area Eat’n Park locations, including Austintown, Boardman, Chapel Hill, Medina, Mentor, Parma, Warren and Willoughby locations. Various locations, eatnpark.com

Flat Iron Cafe: Need a lift to the game? The Flat Iron’s Cafe Valet will shuttle you and your friends for free. Plus, fans can score daily specials, which rotate every game, such as 50 cent wings during Game 3 June 8. 1114 Center St., Cleveland, 216-696-6968, flatironcafe.com

Free Cavs Fan Fests and Watch Parties: Need a pregame Cavs fan makeover or a Scream Team pump-up? Head over to these free fests outside The Q. Fans of all ages will enjoy games, live music by Northeast Ohio bands, food trucks, performances by the Cavalier Girls and giveaways for home games June 8 and 10. For away games June 2 and 5, snag a ticket to a watch party inside the arena for all of the entertainment from an actual game expect the players and the game shown on the humongotron. If it goes to more than four games, expect Fan Fests for future Finals home games and more Watch Parties for road games. Fan Fests, Outside of The Q, East Sixth Street and Gateway Plaza; Watch Parties, The Q, 1 Center Court, Cleveland,  nba.com/cavaliers/playoffs/guide

Hodge’s: One of downtown’s largest patios will play host to Cavs fans eager to catch both home and away games on the two 70-inch TVs installed specially for the NBA Finals. During the games, basketball fans can sip on $3 Coors and Great Lakes Brewing Co. Dortmunder Gold on draft. 668 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-4000, thedriftwoodgroup.com/restaurants/hodges

The Ritz-Carlton Cleveland: Both local and overnight basketball fans can celebrate the Cavs NBA Finals appearance at the Ritz-Carlton Cleveland. Viewing parties in the Lobby Lounge will take place every game of the Finals and the special $16 All In cocktail, made with tequila, triple sec and prickly pear liqueur and garnished with a gold sugar rim and gold dust sprinkle, will be available. Guests of the hotel’s Club Level will also receive special basketball-inspired treats. 1515 W. Third St., Cleveland, 216-623-1300, ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/cleveland 

All In cocktail

Winking Lizard: If seeing the King slam-dunk on just one screen isn’t enough, then head over to the Winking Lizard's Gateway location — just under a five-minute walk from The Q — to watch the game broadcasted on about 50 TV screens throughout the restaurant. 811 Huron Road, Cleveland, 216-589-0313, winkinglizard.com/locations/gateway

Yours Truly Restaurant: If — and when — the Cavs win the NBA championship, Yours Truly's Rockside location will serve free food the following day. There is also a Yours Truly six-item special features menu as long as the Cavs are in the NBA Finals that include bites such as the Triple Threat Notso Fries, 3 Point Swish Sliders and Brew Kettle's All For One session IPA beer. 8111 Rockside Road, Valley View, 216-524-8111, ytr.com

NBA Finals: Game 1

 


Pregame
This is how it starts: Cavs vs. Warriors. Game 1.
And we've recruited ESPN the Mag contributing writer and Crooked River Burning author Mark Winegardner to help us cover the 2015 NBA Finals — maybe our best chance in 51 years for that elusive title. But he's not #AllinCLE. Not yet anyway. 
MW: The Warriors team is almost impossible to root against. Kerr is one of my favorite people in all of sports. Curry is Dell's kid. Always rooted for Shaun Livingston after his brutal knee injury and fun stint with the Cavs. Draymond Green is a 2nd rounder turned blue collar star. Etc. You can't even use the SF/Silicon Valley privileged thing against them b/c they play in Oakland.
Steve Gleydura, editor: To hell with that. If we're ever going to win a championship in this town, we need every ounce of energy devoted to us. In theory I agree with all of that but this is THE FINALS. Don't mess with the chi. This is real — not some Mavs-Cavs bullcrap. Either you're All In or you're not. Sorry.
MW: Don't know how I'm supposed to take the All IN stuff. I mean, on the one hand, winning would surely be my happiest moment as a sports fan. On the other, I need to protect my heart. Plus the slogans make me uneasy (i.e. Cleveland's a Plum). Plus I'd rather have an excellent villain not a likable, entertaining team with strong ties to Cleveland. I realize that's one hand over here and three the-other-hands over there. It's a mutation created by 51 years without a title.
SG: Come on, it's been 51 years. Can we really be picky about our opponent? Let's not start getting greedy. I'm nervous as it is with Kyrie's knee. The first quarter will tell us a lot.

Less than 5 minutes to tipoff

MW: Finals drinking game. Take a shot every time they show Steph's family. Take 2 every time his mom does that ceiling point or chest thing or look concerned. Take 5 if his parents KOTL.

SG: Not sure I'm going to even make it to halftime.

After 1Q
MW: Cavs are smoking them on the boards.

#Cavs are 12-0 this postseason when winning rebound battle. Tonight, up 14-7 (4-1 off reb) - TT, Timo, 10 of CLE's 14 pic.twitter.com/0AYr9WYVpa

— Joe Gabriele (@CavsJoeG) June 5, 2015

Cavs time out with 5 minutes left. Score tied.
MW: Doesn't seem like they game planned for Maurice Speights at all.
SG: And yet, he was on the roster two years ago.
MW: Unlike most of the guys on the roster now.

Half time

MW: Hoodies during warm ups might be a thing now. #JRSwish

SPECIAL NBA FINALS EDITION OF JR SMITH UNLOCKED https://t.co/uwUSz9NlYY

— Complex Sports (@Complex_Sports) June 5, 2015

Start of the 2nd half:
MW: Thanks, Kyrie. Zoom Zoom

Time out. Midway through 3Q. Cavs lead 69-66.
MW: I like the Cavs calmness.
SG: At least they're calm. I'm sure not.

LeBron James (27pts) continuing to impose his will on this game. The @Cavs are up 3 late in the 3rd on ABC. #NBAFinals

— NBA (@NBA) June 5, 2015

End of 3Q
MW:  Myself=less calm. Tight chest.
MW: Cavs second unit not pulling its weight.

MW: Speights = a Florida Gator. SO there's one guy I can dislike.

6:29 in the 4Q. Cavs lead 86-82

I hope we win it all so I can go back and watch these games and actually enjoy it. #ALLinCLE

— Eric Knappenberger (@CavsWITNESS) June 5, 2015

SG: Fifth foul on Green.
SG: Ugh. Lots of shots — and Curry family cameos — in the last few minutes.

Under 3. 95-93 Warriors

I'd take 7 games of this.

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) June 5, 2015

SG: Not sure if I could handle that.

1:16 left. Tied at 96.
MW: Someone's been in the Finals before.

SG: Ugh.Almost, Shump. 5 more minutes?

Need to see LeBron going to the rack there. I'll pass on a step back 20-footer, even from LeBron.

— Complex Sports (@Complex_Sports) June 5, 2015

Overtime
MW: Shot selection in OT for the Cavs has been heinous.
MW: Oh, no. Kyrie's knee. ... and dagger.
MW: Miss a buzzer beater to a good team on the road and this is what happens next.

That did NOT look good. Kyrie struggled to limp past us on the way to the locker room.

— FrankWileyJr (@FrankWileyJr1) June 5, 2015

MW: As bad an overtime as you'll see.

Final: 108-100 Warriors

Postgame reaction:
MW: That games was Cleveland sports in a nutshell: Hey, something awesome might happen. WAIT NOPE YOU WILL GET NOTHING AND LIKE IT.
SG: My head hurts. If I was 10 again, I'd be on the steps of my basement sobbing.
MW: Don't use age as a crutch.
MW: Also, you may have just come up with the only positive side to having no basements in Florida.

Return of the King

It’s been four long years since Cleveland fans first heard the phrase, “I’m taking my talents to South Beach.” It’s been four long years since fans burned No. 23 jerseys in the streets of Cleveland, and Dan Gilbert scorned his “cowardly betrayal” in a scathing open letter.

But now LeBron James — the King, the Chosen One, The Whore of Akron — is coming home.

Today, in a letter published on Sports Illustrated’s website, James announced his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Still, it’s hard to forget the agonizing four years that he spent in a Miami Heat uniform. So before we parade through the street, let’s take a minute to remember how we got here with these Cleveland Magazine excerpts.

His mom, Gloria, called him a “hometown boy,” but fans were still expecting the worst leading up to his first Decision.

      “It panders to our deep-seated insecurities, our feelings of abandonment and inadequacy. And why shouldn’t it? This kind of stuff has been going on for quite some time. Oil magnate John D. Rockefeller bolted Cleveland for New York. BP America packed up and left for Chicago. Hell, even Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was a Clevelander before he became the man who bankrolls our most hated baseball rivals.” — from “King of All Media,” February 2010

For Cavs devotees, it was bigger than James, and it was bigger than sports. James’ move meant we had lost our chance to silence the critics.

   “We've always wanted to surprise the rest of the country with Cleveland's greatness, and he made it happen. People saw us differently because of him. Then, when we ran into a tough time and really needed him, he was gone.” — from “Our Miserable Year,” December 2010

James instantly became the most hated figure in Cleveland sports history. While some made the argument that no one could be more hated than Art Modell, the notorious owner that moved the Browns to Baltimore in 1995, Esquire writer Scott Raab, author of The Whore of Akron, dismissed that idea. 

   “Any Cleveland sports fan who believes in karma forgets that Art Modell won a Super Bowl. Had the Browns not been restored, Modell would stand alone as the most hated figure in the city's sports history. Now, LeBron stands alone.” — from “Raab Rage,” March 2011

A year later, Cleveland fans were comforted, as James lost his first championship appearance with the Heat. It seemed Dan Gilbert’s promise to “deliver a championship to the city” before James might come true, but former managing editor Jim Vickers knew better.

   “We'll be the first to admit, the nationwide LeBron James bashing that followed was fun. The piling-on was epic, previously unimaginable, really. It felt good. Demons were exorcised. But let's be clear: If we stay at this party much longer, we're going to end up with a nasty hangover.” — from “Letting Go of LeBron,” August 2011

Then, James won two championships with the Miami Heat, and the Cavaliers didn’t make the playoffs. Fans’ hatred hit new heights, but the honest among us were able to admit that they really just wanted him back.

   “Even the world’s harshest critic would welcome back the world’s best player.” — from “The Indecision,” August 2013

Now, the decisions and his days in a Heat uniform are all in the past. James and Gilbert have made amends, and fans have welcomed James back with open arms. As fans storm the city to celebrate the return of the King, there is only one quote to hang onto.

    “In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have. I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.” – from “I’m Coming Back to Cleveland,” Sports Illustrated, July 11, 2014

Pre-order for Scott Raab's LeBron Book Begins, Title Announced

Veteran Esquire writer and Cleveland native Scott Raab (left) certainly has a catchy title for his upcoming book about LeBron James. The Whore of Akron: One Man's Search for the Soul of LeBron James was made available for pre-order at Amazon.com today.

Raab announced the name of his book on Sirius/XM's Mad Dog Radio following the Cavaliers' Feb. 11 win over the Los Angeles Clippers to snap the team's 26-game losing streak. We wondered at the time if Raab was just having fun, but it appears the title is real.

The book will be released Nov. 15, 2011 and is available for $17.15, according to Amazon's pre-order page. If you want to keep up with Raab's constant antagonizing of LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the meantime, follow him on Twitter at @Scott_Raab.

Guinness Book Snuggie Record Already Broken ...

Well, it was an honor while it lasted. Unfortunately, our bragging rights stood intact just slightly more than a month. After almost 18,000 Cleveland Cavaliers fans donned wine-colored Snuggies on March 5 to snag the title of "largest gathering of people wearing fleece blankets," Major League Baseball's Anaheim Angels shattered our moment of glory by dressing 43,510 of their fans in Snuggies April 6. Read all the gory details here. Maybe we can make another go at this during Browns season.

Dan's the Man

Cleveland Magazine editor Steve Gleydura sat down with Dan Gilbert to talk Cavs, casinos and more during today's Corporate Club luncheon at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven. Gilbert, who explained his team's approach to everything from crafting a casino proposal to expanding the Cavs marketing potential in China, had the crowd laughing and learning from his experiences. Here's a few highlights:

On yesterday's trade for Antawn Jamison:
"Trading rumors are almost completely true."

On the controversy of removing water fountains from the Q:
"Bottled water sales are up. Without sales of bottle water, trades like this don't happen."
(Note: Gilbert drink of choice throughout the event? A bottle of water.)

"We are feeling better about our overall water policy at this point."

On the casino:
"We hope to have a shovel in the ground this calendar year. By 2013 we could be up and running."

On the negative comments about him during the casino campaign:
"Three things always come out: the sun, the moon and the truth."

On winning an NBA championship:
"Basketball at the end of the day is a ball and that ball can bounce the wrong way."

"All that we can do as an organization is put people in the right places."

"When you have LeBron James, Shaq and Antawn things look pretty good."

On doing whatever he can to keep LeBron in Cleveland:
"We are doing everything we can to make our organization great regardless of who's here. LeBron will be attracted to it. Period."

Free Time

First it was Ron Artest who announced he was signing with the Lakers. Then it was Charlie Villanueva who, via his Twitter account, let the world know that he was heading to Detroit — not Cleveland. And the latest dagger in our hearts (well, maybe not) is the addition of Rasheed Wallace to the Celtics. 

Our weekly poll showed that most of you weren't overly thrilled with the prospects of any of those free agents signing with the Cavs, so it begs the question: Who then? 

Trevor Ariza is going to Houston and Turk is leaving Superman to become a Raptor. Now Mike Brown and Danny Ferry are supposedly targeting Channing Frye. 

In case that doesn't work out, there's always Damon Jones. 

A. Gully, Witness car hit Parnell's for Game 2

I walked up to Parnell's last night to watch Game 2 at the same time A. Gully and his Witness car pulled up.

His video for "Witness," his hip-hop track celebrating the Cavs and Cleveland, has gone viral on YouTube, probably because of his wild, hooptified "Witness" car. The track itself was played in Mayor Frank Jackson's Cavs rally at City Hall.

Fox 8 News has featured him several times. Scene did a story on him this week.

I was not prepared to report, so I offer you a fuzzy cell phone cam shot and an improvised interview recalled from memory.

The ride is a '87 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The checkerboard leather seats were customized by a guy in Collinwood, on Waterloo Road. The neon "Open" signs on the doors' interior are from Sam's Club.

A.'s disappointed with the Scene story, thinks it made him seem like an amateur with a gimmick, when he's been recording for three years. He's getting out the word about his music on his MySpace page.

Here's his new video from last night: the scene outside Parnell's after LeBron's miracle shot -- complete with a LeBron talcum powder tribute -- and the celebration downtown.

Most Valuable Puppet?

We're posting this because, if you haven't seen it, you really should. This aired during last night's Cavs-Hawks Game 4. LeBron as a crazed, chalk-throwing muppet? What will those Nike guys think of next? They almost have us forgetting we're reposting a commercial. Almost. Enjoy ... 

One more reason to love the Cavs' Z

To walk into Close Quarters Pub, Zydrunas Ilgauskas has to contort. He cocks his head and slides in. The Avon Lake dive is maybe the size of a one-car garage. You’d have trouble fitting a 1950s Chevy inside, let alone a giant Cavalier. And walking around, he has to be careful. Some low-hanging areas won’t house all 7-foot-3-inches of him.

The bar only has eleven chairs, but it’s known to well-known folks out on the west side. Dick Jacobs has been in there before. He bought a round for the packed bar once, owner Harry Schindler says. It cost him all of $50. Schindler says Jacobs laughed when he told him how much he owed. The Conway brothers used to bring some of the first kegs of Great Lakes Brewing Co. beer out there to be served.

The first time Z was in was one of those crowded nights, the better part of a decade ago. Z stood along the back wall, then realized he could sit comfortably on a ledge others rested their drinks.
He fits in there. At least as good as any man too big for a small bar can fit. When he walks in, sometimes there’s a gasp, Schindler says. Not because he’s a millionaire. Not because he’s a basketball star. But because he’s seven friggin feet tall.

“The people in the bar are in awe of his size,” Schindler says.

But as he settles in the bar with his wife or a buddy, he slowly fades. “This is the kind of place you go to laugh, not talk about serious stuff,” Schindler says. “And he likes to laugh. We knew he’d fit in the first time he leaned back and laughed at the conversation.”

The bar isn’t far from his house. It’s the kind of place that would never be built today. It pre-existed zoning, and sits in a front yard of a home. Until 20 years ago, there was never a bathroom. The bar patrons just (attempted to) head to the house and use the john.

And I love the fact that of all the places Z could choose to belly up to a bar, he picks a place like this. It just further emphasizes the point made in Jeanne Roberts' piece on the big guy in this month's magazine: Z is Cleveland.

LeBron Says Cheese

The Cavs might be resting this week after sweeping the Pistons to move on to the next round of the playoffs but that doesn't mean you can't get your fill of LeBron highlights. ESPN The Magazine puts King James on its cover and names him part of its NBA All-Hunger Team. Not sure what that means? Read the story and check out some video from the photo shoot of the cover and team photo at the Cavs practice facility here. Our favorite part? The never camera shy LeBron telling everyone: "I'm hungry for a championship, I mean so hungry that my belly right now is grumbling for that gold trophy so I'll see you all in late June." We'll be there. 

Cavs: Superfly Mode

We wish we had more information about this creation, but we don't. Another round of spot-on viral marketing Cavs-style? A fan who really, really should have put some sort of credit on this? Who knows. But it ended up in our inbox this morning and we thought you might enjoy it as much as we did. And if anyone has any idea where this originally came from, please comment below. We'd love to give credit where credit is so obviously due. Bring on the Hawks/Heat ...

UPDATED: Commenter Russ points out it's from the Cavs wallpaper page. Why didn't we think to check there? And, it is by far, the sweetest wallpaper on that page, according to us.

Not Even the Worst

So Forbes.com released a list of the top 10 worst cities to be a sports fan. We thought for sure we could win this one. But to our surprise, cities such as Miami (No. 1), San Diego (No. 2) and Indianapolis (No. 3) have taken the title from our cursed city. Umm ... didn't the Colts just win a Super Bowl? Isn't our history a little worse than New York (No. 4), whose Yankees have more champion rings than we do fingers? If you look into it, its just not about games won or lost overall (it's just over the past year), its also about ticket prices and yada-yada ... but hey, at least we still beat Pittsburgh.

Also, see Forbes.com's list of the top 10 most miserable sports cities, too. In true Cleveland style, we did not win that either.
Photo courtesy Imagine24