Last night, we all were “witnesses” to LeBron James leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA title.  As he lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy, he was lifting the monkey off the back of all of Cleveland sports fans.  The city and the fan base had an NBA title.  They got an epic 3-1 series comeback, and a classic Game 7.  When everyone looks back at this series and game, the moment that will forever be talked about was this play:

Thinking about that play actually makes me a bit melancholy as it reminded me a bit of the play where Patrick Ewing blocked Hakeem Olajuwon in Game 3 of the NBA Finals (Highlight Number 7):

It’s a reminder that for many fans, the New York team that is in blue and orange has never won a championship in their lifetime.  The Knicks haven’t won since 1973, and the Mets haven’t won since 1986.

The Mets had their chance last year.  There wasn’t a Mets fan alive who didn’t think the Mets were going to win the World Series when Matt Harvey was so utterly brilliant in Game 5:

That night was supposed to be the Mets stepping stone to their own rally from a 3-1 deficit to win a championship.  The Mets had Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard lined up to pitch in Games 6 and 7.  The Mets were in position to win the World Series.  They were so close, and they let it slip away.

Last night was an absolutely incredible moment for LeBron James, the Cavaliers, and the entire city of Cleveland.  It’s a moment all Knicks and Mets fans are dying to experience.  During this Mets losing streak, it’s a moment that seems to get further and further away from these fans.

Still, as we saw with the Cavaliers, there is reason to hope. This was the same Cavaliers team that lost in the NBA Finals last year.  This was the same Cavaliers team that had a rocky regular season until finally turning things around after the All Star Break.  This was the same Cavaliers team that had their backs against the wall and still won a championship.  It may be a phrase that has not been uttered anywhere before, and it may not be said anytime hereafter but:

Cleveland gives us all hope.