If the Cavaliers pull off a win Sunday night against the Golden State Warriors, don't tell Cleveland fans to celebrate like they've been there before — because for more than 50 years, they haven't.
"It's all us. Cleveland on three. 1-2-3," LeBron James said in an ad for Nike.
"Cleveland!"
James and the Cavaliers have a chance to give the city of Cleveland its first major professional sports championship since the Cleveland Browns won the NFL Championship in 1964.
The drought's been even longer for the Cleveland Indians, the city's MLB team. They haven't captured a World Series since 1948. It's the second-longest active World Series drought in the Majors.
There's even a movie about the team's shortcomings.
"And he's out by an eyelash at third. Boy, we never seem to get the close ones," says a character in "Major League II."
And the Cavaliers 46-year history has come with more problems than championships.
"The lasting memory of tonight will be this shot: His burning jersey in Lakewood," WEWS reported in 2010.
But James is back and being welcomed with open arms, especially after bringing his team back from the dead to force a Game 7.
Before any celebrating begins though, the Cavs will have to make it past Steph Curry and the Warriors in Oakland.
The Warriors are 11-2 at home this postseason. Will it be a night of rare celebration or more of the usual heartbreak for those in Cleveland?
This video includes a clip from Fox Sports and images from Getty Images.
