With LeBron James sitting out Cleveland's season finale on Thursday, somebody had to get the crowd amped by throwing chalk, right? Fortunately, Anderson Varejao was there to pick up the slack, much to the amusement of the rest of his teammates.
All of Cleveland's pregame antics -- from the chalk to the choreographed group pantomimes -- may grate opposing fans and possibly disrespect the other team, but there's also something else to keep in mind: they're just plain fun.
Think about it: the Cavs have four decades and counting worth of pressure riding on their shoulders, but instead of worrying about living up to an entire city's hopes and dreams, they're just a group of young guys enjoying themselves. That's more than can be said for a lot of teams in the NBA, including their current playoff partners from Detroit, who spent much of the second half beaten and burdened by failed expectations.
Whether they win or lose the game before, the Cavs start each game with a smile on their face. I hate, hate, hate it when sportswriters trumpet team chemistry as an overwhelming factor in a team's success -- but to be fair, it never hurt a team, either.
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Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce reacts as dives for a loose ball but Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) comes up with it in the first half of the opening game of an NBA playoff series in Boston Saturday, April 18, 2009. The Bulls won 105-103 in overtime. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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Chicago Bulls forward Cedric Simmons (15) looses control of the ball as he drives to the hoop while Boston Celtics guard Paul Pierce (34) applies defensive pressure during their first round NBA playoff basketball game at the Garden in Boston, Saturday afternoon, April 18, 2009. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 105-103. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives to the hoop past Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah (13) during first quarter action of their first round NBA playoff basketball game at the Garden in Boston, Saturday afternoon, April 18, 2009. Rondo scored a team high 29 as the Bulls went on to defeat the Celtics 105-103 to take a 1-0 game lead in the best of seven series. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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BOSTON - APRIL 18: Tyrus Thomas #24 of the Chicago Bulls is called for a foul as Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics loses the ball in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 18, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tyrus Thomas;Rajon Rondo
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BOSTON - APRIL 18: Head coach Vinny Del Negro of the Chicago Bulls reacts after a call against his team in the second half against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 18, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vinny Del Negro
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BOSTON - APRIL 18: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls reacts after he is called for a foul against Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 18, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joakim Noah
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CLEVELAND - APRIL 18: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers waves to the crowd prior to Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs against the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena on April 18, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James
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CLEVELAND - APRIL 18: Will Bynum #12 of the Detroit Pistons shoots while being guarded by Ben Wallace #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 18, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ben Wallace;Will Bynum
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BOSTON - APRIL 18: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics hits a free throw at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime against the Chicago Bulls in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 18, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Paul Pierce
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BOSTON - APRIL 18: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics reacts after his last second shot in overtime hits the rim in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 18, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Allen
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