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: Gear Up for the 2016 NBA Finals

If you've caught the #ALLin216 fever like us, here is your guide to gear up for cheering on the Cleveland Cavaliers as they return to the West Coast to face off against defending champs the Golden State Warriors when the NBA Finals start June 2. Whether it's a cup of joe or wine-and-gold duds for your pooch, get in the spirit to root on the Cavs with these fun finds. 

Take after Australian guard Matthew Dellavedova and enjoy in a pregame cup of java with his own G’Day Mate! specialty Arabica coffee blend available at Cleveland Coffee Co. ($13.50 per pound). Get even more hyped up by reading our January interview with Delly about what drives his unconventional coffee habit. 816 Huron Road, Cleveland, 216-861-8358

For some Cavs spirit all the way down to the toes, check out some custom-made Cavs socks from League Ready Customs ($15). You'll be sure to catch some attention walking down East Fourth Street with this pair.

                                                     

If getting yourself involved isn’t enough, you can get your pets in the zone too with some Cavaliers jerseys, bandanas and collars from CLE Pets, which we featured in our May issue. Check out these mesh fabric jerseys ranging from $25.99-$27. 5th Street Arcades, 530 Euclid Ave., Suite 23-1, Cleveland, 216-905-6789

photo by Dana Miller

After the Cavaliers set a NBA record of the most 3-pointers in a playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks in May, Tony Madalone, store owner of Fresh Brewed Tees, came up with some designs to show off the Cavs' accomplishment. Check out these two for $26.99 online. Shirts can also be found at the Cavaliers Team Shop at The Q. freshbrewedtees.com, 216-618-1912

Has anyone ever wished that the Cavs released a mixtape? Well, Ilthy has released an #ALLIN Mixtape shirt for $35 available in three different colors, featuring J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson and Iman Shumpert. ilthy.com

Get pumped up with Homage's recently released line of licensed Cavaliers shirts from $32-$36 in a variety of designs just in time for the Finals. 235 Main St., Westlake, 440-925-4178

photo by Dana Miller

And, must we not forget about the Cavs’ newest unofficial mascot, Lil' Kev. He’s been on the journey with the team throughout the 2016 playoffs, as forward Richard Jefferson carries a laminated picture of him and documents it on his entertaining behind-the-scenes Snapchat feed. Now, you too, can sport some Lil’ Kev with a shirt from Redbubble for under $30. 

If you were inspired by ESPN's 30 for 30 Believeland film, show everyone all we need to do is believe that our team and city are champions with the help of CLE Clothing Co.'s Believeland shirt ($25) and other similar variations. 342 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-736-8879; 11435 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-465-9595

GV Art & Design said it well: "No one deserves it more," in this Win One For the Land T-shirt ($28). 17411 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-273-7188; 38038 Second St., Willoughby, 440-525-5240

Cavs Fan Guide: Five Must-Have T-shirts

When owner Ryan Weiss of Rock Everywear looks at his The Land: A City Reborn shirt ($20), one word comes to mind: champions. “It’s kind of like a mock-up of the championship trophy and the phoenix bird. [They’re] supposed to represent the birth of our city,” he says. rockeverywear.com

It’s important to remember that the NBA Finals is about the team as a whole, so the All the King’s Men shirt ($25) featuring the smiling (and bearded in most cases) silhouettes of the whole Cavs team makes us grin. “We just wanted to make a fun shirt that included all the Cavs in a fun way,” explains CLE Clothing Co. owner Mike Kubinski. 342 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-736-8879, cleclothingco.com

Brothers and co-owners of GV Art + Design Greg and George Vlosich decided to strategically release this special edition shirt ($26) right after LeBron James made a game-winning shot against Chicago earlier in the playoffs. “Honestly, it’s such a great statement. I mean, nothing is given — you gotta earn what you have,” George says. 17411 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-273-7188, gvartwork.com

Even with Kevin Love sitting the Finals out because of a certain shoulder mishap, and Kyrie Irving hampered by knee troubles, this shirt ($32) from Ilthy owner and designer Glen Infante featuring playful caricatures of Cleveland’s Big Three makes us hopeful. 15613 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, ilthy.com

We can't resist Fresh Brewed Tees’ can-do message on the All We Do is Win shirt ($25.99). Though that usually hasn’t been the case with Cleveland sports, we have no shame showing the world that 2015 is different. freshbrewedtees.com

By Emily McIntyre