The Miracle of Richfield - 40 Years Later.....
If you're not of a certain age, or not from Northeast Ohio, you have no idea what this is about. The Miracle of Richfield is not like a real miracle, like the Miracle of Fatima, or something like that. This was a regional happening that reverberates in this area even today. It's a miracle involving our local NBA team.
Technically, they didn't win the championship. Not even close really. But here's the funny thing. That team couldn't have had a bigger effect on this area if they had won the championship. In our hearts, in the fans hearts, they were champions. The heroes of my youth. Get a cup of coffee and I'll tell you why. It's a long story, but a good story.
The Beginning
In 1970 Cleveland was the 8th largest city in the country. But that was a difficult period for Cleveland and the entire region. I think the term "rust belt" was invented during those days. But despite that, Cleveland was awarded an expansion NBA franchise in the 1970-71 season. The Cavalier's played in a dilapidated arena just east of downtown Cleveland. Like most expansion teams, they were miserable. The combination of a bad, loosing team meant very small crowds and little public interest. The Cavalier's were only followed closely by young hipsters, like me.
Progress was slow, but progress was made over the first few seasons. Then the Coliseum of Richfield was built as the Cavalier's new home. The building was huge, beautiful, and state of the art. But Richfield? That was a small rural community between Cleveland and Akron. It still is. The vision was that the Coliseum would be a magnet for development. That never happened. Plus there was no access to the place. Just a two-lane road east and west, and a freeway went north and south. That's it. The traffic jams were legendary. You could tailgate after games because it would take hours just to get out of the parking lot.
The Miracle Season
But back to the Cavs. As I said progress was made. The Cavs missed the playoffs in 74-75 by one game. Loosing the last game of that season in a cliffhanger. So we knew we should have a pretty decent team the next season. We didn't start strong, but then they found the missing ingredient. Nate Thurmond was a veteran big man nearing the end of his career. He wasn't an offensive threat. But was a tower of power on defense, and led by example to the rest of the team. He taught them how to be winners.
The rest of the team roster was filled with very good players. But not NBA super stars. There were no Cavalier's in the 1976 NBA All Star Game. None, zero. But they were all very good at something. Together, as a whole, they were quite a force. They were good players, that played as one, and became a family.
Now step into the time machine with me now. We're headed for 1976. The land of leisure suits and big hair. There's no ESPN, no Facebook, and no cell phones. The only thing tweeting were the birds. So you actually had to communicate with your friends and neighbors to relate your experiences, and get information. Most of the games weren't even on TV. The games were broadcast on radio by an everyman that lived and died with the Cavs, named Joe Tait. His colorful phrases and calls became legend. When the Cavs got to the playoffs, the area was ready to explode. The way the games went caused a different explosion every night.
The Miracle
In the first round we met the Washington Bullets, now known as the Wizzards, (Bullets were thought to be a too violent name for an area with urban strife like Washington, D.C.). The Bullets had been to the Finals the year before. They had three players on their roster that eventually have been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. We had won the division over them by one game. But I don't think we were favored in that series. But nobody told the Cavs they were supposed to loose.
Just about every game was a cliffhanger. The series went seven games. But here were our guys - refusing to give in. Giving their all. They were bringing the national spotlight to our town - Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland of the 70's was not to be confused with Paris, France, or even the shiny Cleveland of today. The whole town was exploding with enthusiasm. The noise at the games was legendary. The building was literally vibrating. Story goes that the players had to hold the blackboard for Coach Fitch because it was shaking so much. And this was BEFORE the game even started. At the time, they were the largest crowds in NBA playoff history. When we won the seventh game with a Dick Snyder runner, the place, the whole town exploded. Fans rushed the court with absolute glee, and brought down the basket. That would never be allowed today.
In practice before the Eastern Finals against Boston, our starting center, Jim Chones, broke his foot. He was an important piece, Who wasn't on that team? We weren't the same, and lost in six games. Story goes - Nate Thurmond cried in the locker room when it was over. The series was just as hard fought. Boston went on to win the championship. But many experts, including myself, feel the Cavs could've, should've won that year.
The Reunion
This season marks the 40th anniversary of that season. A few of the Cavs have been here all along, Some work for the Cavs in broadcasting and are commonly seen in the area. But last Friday they all came back to be honored at a Cavs game at Quicken Loans Arena. A couple of players were unable to make it. Including Jim Cleamons who's now an assistant coach for the Knicks. (What's up with that, Jim? Would you miss a Knicks playoff game?)
I was honored to be invited to a pre-game reception that the players attended, Honestly, it was sort of bittersweet. Sweet - because I got to rub shoulders and chat with a few of the heroes of my youth. Bitter because they're all old men now. Father Time is undefeated. It also made me realize that I'm an old-timer now like them. At least on the outside. (I hope I'm still young at heart.) Even sweet shooting Bobby "Bingo" Smith has had health issues and gets around in a wheelchair now. He could go around in any town in America undisturbed and unrecognized. But not in this town. He's part of the folklore. They all are. They all were also introduced at halftime.
These old men showed a community that with hard work, heart, and desire you can overcome almost anything. And that's how you can become a champion without winning a championship.
Epilogue
The Coliseum of Richfield was torn down in 1999, after a new downtown arena was built. The land was turned over to the National Park Service who returned the area completely to nature. Nothing is left. It's just a field with some trees, bushes, and animals running around. It's a very weird feeling to drive by now. A place where there was so much excitement and energy. Now it's just a meadow. But you can't tear down a memory. Today, if you drive by slow, turn off the radio and listen hard. You can hear it in the breeze. - "Let's go Cavs. Let's go Cavs."
If you're not of a certain age, or not from Northeast Ohio, you have no idea what this is about. The Miracle of Richfield is not like a real miracle, like the Miracle of Fatima, or something like that. This was a regional happening that reverberates in this area even today. It's a miracle involving our local NBA team.
Technically, they didn't win the championship. Not even close really. But here's the funny thing. That team couldn't have had a bigger effect on this area if they had won the championship. In our hearts, in the fans hearts, they were champions. The heroes of my youth. Get a cup of coffee and I'll tell you why. It's a long story, but a good story.
 |
| The Coliseum of Richfield - a jewel in the middle of nowhere. |
In 1970 Cleveland was the 8th largest city in the country. But that was a difficult period for Cleveland and the entire region. I think the term "rust belt" was invented during those days. But despite that, Cleveland was awarded an expansion NBA franchise in the 1970-71 season. The Cavalier's played in a dilapidated arena just east of downtown Cleveland. Like most expansion teams, they were miserable. The combination of a bad, loosing team meant very small crowds and little public interest. The Cavalier's were only followed closely by young hipsters, like me.
Progress was slow, but progress was made over the first few seasons. Then the Coliseum of Richfield was built as the Cavalier's new home. The building was huge, beautiful, and state of the art. But Richfield? That was a small rural community between Cleveland and Akron. It still is. The vision was that the Coliseum would be a magnet for development. That never happened. Plus there was no access to the place. Just a two-lane road east and west, and a freeway went north and south. That's it. The traffic jams were legendary. You could tailgate after games because it would take hours just to get out of the parking lot.
 |
| The 1975-76 Cleveland Cavaliers. |
But back to the Cavs. As I said progress was made. The Cavs missed the playoffs in 74-75 by one game. Loosing the last game of that season in a cliffhanger. So we knew we should have a pretty decent team the next season. We didn't start strong, but then they found the missing ingredient. Nate Thurmond was a veteran big man nearing the end of his career. He wasn't an offensive threat. But was a tower of power on defense, and led by example to the rest of the team. He taught them how to be winners.
The rest of the team roster was filled with very good players. But not NBA super stars. There were no Cavalier's in the 1976 NBA All Star Game. None, zero. But they were all very good at something. Together, as a whole, they were quite a force. They were good players, that played as one, and became a family.
Now step into the time machine with me now. We're headed for 1976. The land of leisure suits and big hair. There's no ESPN, no Facebook, and no cell phones. The only thing tweeting were the birds. So you actually had to communicate with your friends and neighbors to relate your experiences, and get information. Most of the games weren't even on TV. The games were broadcast on radio by an everyman that lived and died with the Cavs, named Joe Tait. His colorful phrases and calls became legend. When the Cavs got to the playoffs, the area was ready to explode. The way the games went caused a different explosion every night.
 |
| Jim Chones vs. HOFer Wes Unseld |
In the first round we met the Washington Bullets, now known as the Wizzards, (Bullets were thought to be a too violent name for an area with urban strife like Washington, D.C.). The Bullets had been to the Finals the year before. They had three players on their roster that eventually have been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. We had won the division over them by one game. But I don't think we were favored in that series. But nobody told the Cavs they were supposed to loose.
Just about every game was a cliffhanger. The series went seven games. But here were our guys - refusing to give in. Giving their all. They were bringing the national spotlight to our town - Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland of the 70's was not to be confused with Paris, France, or even the shiny Cleveland of today. The whole town was exploding with enthusiasm. The noise at the games was legendary. The building was literally vibrating. Story goes that the players had to hold the blackboard for Coach Fitch because it was shaking so much. And this was BEFORE the game even started. At the time, they were the largest crowds in NBA playoff history. When we won the seventh game with a Dick Snyder runner, the place, the whole town exploded. Fans rushed the court with absolute glee, and brought down the basket. That would never be allowed today.
 |
| And the fans go wild at the Coliseum. |
In practice before the Eastern Finals against Boston, our starting center, Jim Chones, broke his foot. He was an important piece, Who wasn't on that team? We weren't the same, and lost in six games. Story goes - Nate Thurmond cried in the locker room when it was over. The series was just as hard fought. Boston went on to win the championship. But many experts, including myself, feel the Cavs could've, should've won that year.
The Reunion
This season marks the 40th anniversary of that season. A few of the Cavs have been here all along, Some work for the Cavs in broadcasting and are commonly seen in the area. But last Friday they all came back to be honored at a Cavs game at Quicken Loans Arena. A couple of players were unable to make it. Including Jim Cleamons who's now an assistant coach for the Knicks. (What's up with that, Jim? Would you miss a Knicks playoff game?)
I was honored to be invited to a pre-game reception that the players attended, Honestly, it was sort of bittersweet. Sweet - because I got to rub shoulders and chat with a few of the heroes of my youth. Bitter because they're all old men now. Father Time is undefeated. It also made me realize that I'm an old-timer now like them. At least on the outside. (I hope I'm still young at heart.) Even sweet shooting Bobby "Bingo" Smith has had health issues and gets around in a wheelchair now. He could go around in any town in America undisturbed and unrecognized. But not in this town. He's part of the folklore. They all are. They all were also introduced at halftime.
 |
| 75-76 Cleveland Cavaliers - 40 years later. |
These old men showed a community that with hard work, heart, and desire you can overcome almost anything. And that's how you can become a champion without winning a championship.
Epilogue
The Coliseum of Richfield was torn down in 1999, after a new downtown arena was built. The land was turned over to the National Park Service who returned the area completely to nature. Nothing is left. It's just a field with some trees, bushes, and animals running around. It's a very weird feeling to drive by now. A place where there was so much excitement and energy. Now it's just a meadow. But you can't tear down a memory. Today, if you drive by slow, turn off the radio and listen hard. You can hear it in the breeze. - "Let's go Cavs. Let's go Cavs."
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