Maybe The Cleveland Cavalier's Biggest Win Ever

To say a team that just now has 15 wins at the end of March had the biggest win franchise history might be hyperbole, but it is what is behind the win. The way James left, the things he has said, the beat down given to the Cavaliers and their fans on December 2, all of that bundled up into one win on Tuesday night was something that might have given those fans as much satisfaction as any previous win. Perhaps that is the better way to categorize this, the most satisfying win the fans of the Cavaliers have ever had, rather than most meaningful win for the franchise. How does it compare though?

Perhaps you look at the game seven win in the series known as the "Miracle at Richfield" as the most satisfying win in Cav's basketball history. It was their sixth season in the league and that game seven victory was their first playoff series win, mostly because it was their first season to be above .500 and in the playoffs. That game might have just put the Cavaliers on the map, but it is not one of the wins you hear about when people speak of the franchise.

Then you skip ahead to the late 1980's after a long time of heart ache for Cleveland fans, and you have maybe their best stretch as a team, going on great runs and establishing themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference. Their most memorable win came in game four of the first round best-of-five series in 1989 when they were able to beat Chicago in Chicago and force a game five back in Cleveland. The win over Michael Jordan and the Bulls was huge for the Cavs and their fans, invigorating the city. This game probably does not measure up though simply because of what happened next. That was the series that "The Shot" took place, when Jordan got the ball and seemed to hover in mid-air as Craig Ehlo flew by and he hit the series winning 15 foot jumper. The heartbreak of that game and series tends to take away from the game four satisfaction.

The next game that would be incredibly satisfying to Cavalier fans would be game one of the career of one LeBron James. He was the hometown boy, the high school phenom who was a man among boys, the consensus number one pick overall, and the savior. He did not disappoint either that night in Sacramento as he had 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and four steals while shooting 60% from the floor. An amazing debut as an 18 year old right out of high school, and a game that Cavalier fans had to love and get an extreme feeling of satisfaction, knowing they were heading in the right direction.

The next great, satisfying game that Cavs fans will remember came in the playoffs in 2006, in LeBron's first playoff game he joined Magic Johnson and Johnny McCarthy as the only players to have a triple-double in their first playoff game. He recorded 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. The pride that they felt as one of their own was able to join such an elite club in a playoff series they would eventually win for the first time in years.

After that came the game that many would assume to be the most satisfying game Cavs fans could have had, and maybe could ever have, when LeBron simply went off. With the series tied at two games apiece with the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland found themselves on the road and looking to LeBron. He responded. He scored 29 of the teams last 30 points, the last 25 points in the game, as well as the game winning shot with two second left for the double overtime victory. Not to mention the nine rebounds and seven assists in a game that would eventually propel them to the franchise's one and only NBA Finals appearance. That is a hard game to top.

Then comes Tuesday night's game though. This game has so many factors to it that make it satisfying and special to the fans of the Cavaliers. LeBron had left them, and not only left them but did so in a fashion that both hurt and disgusted those fans. They felt disrespected, and it was a level of disrespect that rose exponentially from the fact that it was by one of their own, the man that they had called their King. The way he treated them that night, and in the months since "The Decision." Then tonight, when they thought maybe all they would get was a chance to boo this man, and show their discontent, something they can do on only two nights out of 365, he is hiding in the locker room, taking away one of the few things they still had over him. Why he would do that boggles minds, and is just fuel to the fire. Not really sure what he thought would come of that, even if it was something as simple as using the restroom, think of how that will come across.

So what is the most satisfying win, the game seven that won their first playoff series? They have won many series since, and people just do not seem to even remember it. The game four victory in Chicago, a monumental win at the time for the franchise? "The Shot" kind of knocked that one down quite a bit, it is hard to celebrate a win that then led to one of the city's most heartbreaking moments, let alone the Cavaliers. How about LeBron in his first game? The triple-double in hist first playoff game? Maybe the Jordan-like performance to defeat the Pistons en route to their first NBA Finals? "The Decision" seemed to wipe away all of those sentiments did it not? The hate they have for him now, the disrespect that was shown has tainted all of those moments right? This win, with the worst team in the league, when he skipped introductions, by double-digits, just might be the most satisfying and long lasting win these fans have had, and will have.

It comes down to your criteria, most satisfying that night? That week? That month? Forever? However you deem the time frame that is going to determine the "winner" of this poll as to the most satisfying win in Cavaliers history. Other than maybe that performance to beat the Pistons, this game might be the run away winner. Just ask Cavalier fans.