Bloggystyle -- The Greatest

It was looking dreary in Cleveland this past summer. Ok, it always looks dreary in Cleveland, but it was looking even more dreary than ever (if that's possible) when Carlos Boozer decided to have it "My Way." Boozer broke his verbal promise to resign with Cleveland, instead bolting to Utah for the bigger money. Owner Gordon Gund never even saw it coming.

Gordon Gund was determined to get the last word in. Writing Braille-ing a response to the city of Cleveland, Gund all but wondered aloud why Boozer backstabbed him when he could have just as easily stabbed the blind man in the heart. Spiteful Cavs fans created CarlosLoozer.com. Not even the acquisition of Drew Gooden could temper the fury. All Cavs fans could do was "Let It Burn." ESPN Insider Chad Ford lamented the situation, telling Cleveland "U Got It Bad."

Then the season started, and LeBron "King" James was so incredible that he was earning recognition and nicknames left and right. Cleveland's presence was felt in the roaring throughout the Gund Arena. If seeing was truly believing, Gordon Gund was the only Doubting Thomas left in Ohio. Even Drew Gooden was fitting in to the tune of 14 points and almost 10 rebounds per game. When Boozer attempted to mend fences with his former teammates, LeBron told him "U Don't Have 2 Call."



Then, in mid December, Gordon Gund decided to sell the Cavaliers, explaining that he felt like the guy in the Ford commercials stricken with "adrenalitis," a lack of being able to get excited. Coach Silas was taken aback. "We're all very surprised to hear the news. Any change in the organization will be difficult at first," coach Paul Silas said. "But I'm sure the new owners will come in and evaluate everything before putting their stamp on it."

With the search for investors ongoing, Usher had to determine whether or not he wanted to be part of that fine Cavaliers tradition. The answer was a defiant "Yeah." Not to be upstaged by Shawn Carter or Nelly, Usher energetically got involved.

"I am excited about becoming part of this ownership group and this team. I will be actively involved with the Cavaliers on many levels, including the game experience and our role in the community. I plan to spend a lot of time with the Cavaliers and look for Cleveland to be my second home town. I know all the partners in the ownership group feel the same way."

The transition was seamless entering the new year. Cleveland was 10 games over .500 and led the Central division. You woulda thought 112 bought the Cavs because everything was "Peaches N Cream."

Through February, the Cavs were still on top of things, no homo. LeBron wowed the crowd throughout All Star Weekend, and Frankenstein Zydrunas Ilgauskas joined the kid on the East All Star Team. All of Cleveland was "Caught Up" with the hype, including the players themselves (and yes, I had to look that song title up. I swear.).

Then, in true Carlito's Way fashion, it was "here comes the pain." It all started innocently enough with the Indiana Pacers (the first time Indiana Pacers and innocent were in the same sentence in a LONG time). A victim of the schedule, Cleveland dropped a dud in Indiana. But then came 5 more losses in a row. Suddenly, the Cavaliers, Usher's new "Boo," were looking a lot less like Alicia Keys and a lot more like this:


Maybe Gund's not the only blind guy going to Cavs games after all...

But Usher wasn't deterred. Far from it in fact. Usher was so determined to display the faith in his team to Cleveland fans that he put his sexuality up for serious argument to cheer them on.

The Grammy-winning R&B artist, who is part-owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, has unveiled a symbol from his floor seats that he calls the "Double C." During the team's game Sunday, Usher crossed his arms over his head and curled his hands to form letter C's. Fans made the symbol as the Cavaliers downed the Indiana Pacers 98-86.

"This is my way of showing my gay Cleveland Cavaliers' pride," he said in an e-mail to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.

But the "Truth Hurts" (and yes goddammit, I looked this one up too), and happy faces aside, the Cavaliers' slide continued. After 3 straight victories seemed to show a turning tide, the Cavaliers promptly lost 5 of their next 6, and the Cavs simply weren't doing the "Simple Things" (do you even have to ask?) necessary for victory. Suddenly Usher was but one of 20,000 Cleveland fans in the Gund Arena finding their "boos" during a terrible home loss to Philadelphia.

Enough was enough. With Paul Silas all but saying "Do It To Me," (no homo) Cleveland's new owners found an axe, albeit a necessarily large one, and last Monday they axed Silas, no homo (just in case). With things getting worse by the day, and even a playoff possibility in doubt, Usher was growing steadily disillusioned. At the last home game, fans sitting courtside could hear Usher singing some strange variation between his smash "You Make Me Wanna" and the Marshall track "Puke." Rumor had it that after he rebuffed Master P's offer to join the club and instill that winning spirit, Usher himself considered suiting up.


"I'll Make It Right" (only 2 more song titles; I promise)

How will it all end? After tonight's 31 point loss to Dirk and company, the Cavs are only 5 losses ahead of 9th place New Jersey. Will Cleveland "Remind Me" of a playoff team anytime soon, or is it possible Usher will be singing his "Final Goodbye" to LeBron for the season in 14 games? Only time will tell.