Hoops Habit
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NBA: 5 Things We Learned On Opening Night

By Josh Cornelissen

Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; General view during the ring ceremony and NBA championship banner raising ceremony before a game against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; General view during the ring ceremony and NBA championship banner raising ceremony before a game against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the ring ceremony and banner raising ceremony before a game against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the ring ceremony and banner raising ceremony before a game against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

LeBron James, City Of Cleveland Not Satisfied With Just 1 Title

Many championship teams come out the next year flat. The drive it takes to play an 82-game season and then win four playoff series is difficult to maintain. Once the joy and satisfaction and vindication of a title wash over a team, it’s hard to get back the edge.

The Cleveland Cavaliers showed no such dulling last night as they absolutely took it to the New York Knicks. LeBron James led the way with his 43rd career triple double, dropping 19 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists on the new-look Knickerbockers.

Kyrie Irving did not need to bring his clutch shooting to this contest, as his 29 points blew open the margin well before the end. Kevin Love added 23 points and 12 rebounds of his own as he shows that he is a key member of this core.

LeBron and the packed arena were filled with emotion as the rings were handed out, and the championship banner raised to the rafters. The city without even one title in more than a half century as recently as a year ago is now hungry for a second banner.

The Cavaliers are not the only team around pushing for a title. The Cleveland Indians, the city’s MLB team, routed the Chicago Cubs 6-0 in Game 1 of the World Series. Quicken Loans Arena was still full of fans hours after the game as they watched the Indians on the big screen.

Whether LeBron James and the Cavaliers can bring another title to Cleveland is an answer months away. But there is no doubt they are hungry and ready to defend their crown.