Happy to be There?

In a word: Yes.

In a sentence: Yes, but I'd like to win four more games.

In a longer explanation:

I'm thrilled to have dispatched the Detroit Pistons in six games. I'm thrilled that the Cavaliers are in their first ever NBA Finals. I was very close to cloud nine as I watched the final seconds tick off the clock and the trophy presentation. It felt as good ... maybe even better ... than 1997 when the wheel play worked to perfection, and the Indians defeated Baltimore and headed to the World Series.

At the start of the season, I predicted the Cavs (along with Bill Simmons, BTW) to win the east, and then lose in the NBA Finals. Sports Guy, if I remember correctly, predicted Suns over Cavs, I predicted Mavs over Cavs. My honest expectation was for the Cavs to reach the Eastern Conference Finals and take it to 6-7 games. Hence, the Cavs have reached both my expectations and my predictions for them.

So, will I be sad if they lose the Finals to the Spurs? Yes. I want them to win. I want them to win (believe it of not) more than I wanted the Steelers to beat Seattle (or maybe that's just the present in me talking ... we'll see how I really feel in 2 months or so). But, at the same time, I won't be crushed if they lose, the way I was crushed after game seven of the 1997 World Series (and I still haven't forgiven you, Jose Mesa).

Cheering on a team that exceeded expectations, and has a chance to win the title is a great place to be. I want to enjoy it.

Because win or lose this year, the expectation is that the Cavaliers win the 2008 NBA Finals. And that will put me in a totally different mindset.