INDEPENDENCE: With the Cavaliers set to receive their championship rings on Tuesday, the same night the Indians host Game 1 of the World Series, LeBron James can think of only one addition to make the night even better.
“Having an ice cream truck outside both arenas as well — the icing on the cake,” James joked Thursday. “If we had a retractable roof, it would probably be the loudest we ever heard, so it’s pretty special.”
The Cavaliers are days away from beginning their title defense, but they’ve absolutely been swept up in Indians Fever. They attended two games as a team — one in each the divisional series and championship series — and their schedule might allow them to attend Game 2 on Wednesday if they so choose.
Their appearance during Game 2 of the championship series against the Blue Jays sent fans inside the Progressive Field concourse shrieking. Stadium officials took Cavs players into a private suite via a freight elevator.
When the game ended, Cavs players took a moment to stand on a catwalk overlooking the concourse and waive to the crowd as fans — still buzzing from the Indians victory — shrieked and snapped pictures as if they were watching the Beatles.
Cavs players gathered together at a Cleveland restaurant to watch the Indians eliminate the Jays. James shot video of the celebration by Cavs players and fans alike. Everyone, that is, except Tristan Thompson. Thompson grew up just outside Toronto and did his best to remain neutral throughout the series. Thompson wore all black to the game the Cavs attended — the only Cavs player who wasn’t in Indians gear.
“Tristan is happy,” James laughed. “Hey, listen, he has the right still to root for the Blue Jays. But he’s happy for those guys.”
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue sent Indians manager Terry Francona a congratulatory text after the Indians won the American League pennant, just as Francona texted Lue after the Cavs’ championship. Lue has been friendly with Francona since their days together in Boston. They met through Doc Rivers when Rivers coached the Celtics and Francona was manager of the Red Sox.
“I’ve been caught up in it. So happy for him [Francona] and happy for the city of Cleveland,” Lue said. “Cleveland is doing some great things right now.”
Day off
Lue said Kyrie Irving, Jordan McRae and Iman Shumpert all had the day off practice Thursday. Lue might rest a couple of other players on Friday.
Irving left Tuesday’s preseason finale at Ohio State with tightness in his calf and the Cavs took Wednesday off. Lue reiterated Thursday that Irving is fine and he’s just being cautious.
Making cuts
Now that the preseason has concluded, the Cavs waived guard Markel Brown, forward Jonathan Holmes and forward Cory Jefferson, leaving the roster at 17. That includes Mo Williams’ $2.2 million deal for this season.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.