You can take the guy out of Cleveland…

…but you can’t take the Cleveland out of the guy.

[Updated June 2, 2016]

I live in San Francisco, California but I was raised in Granger Township, Ohio. I have lived and died at the hands of the Cavs, Indians, and Browns since I can remember. Ok, let me amend that…mostly the died part since I can remember.

This is me as a kid, blind as hell. Note the blue and orange

As you may imagine, I get asked a lot who I’m rooting for in the Finals. Well, for all those asking...I'm from Cleveland. I first purchased season tickets for the Warriors (Dubs) with 6 friends in 2013. The Dubs were just coming off a 47 and 35 season (6th seed going on to lose to the Spurs team that lost to Lebron’s Heat) and were electric to watch. Lebron wasn’t even on the Cavs when I pulled the trigger on season tickets that year (the lengths you go when you love basketball and your team is 2,462 miles away). Let’s be honest, watching Curry and that team at home games is unreal (they shoot the lights out and Oracle is as loud as it gets). I thought there was absolutely zero chance in hell the Warriors would face off with the Cavs in the NBA Finals…TWICE…and I would be #witness to it. Yet just three years later, here I am.

Watching the Cavs face off against the Dubs in enemy territory in Oracle Arena, Game #5 2015 NBA Finals

During my lifetime the Browns were jettisoned to another city (thanks Art), the Cavs have lost two NBA Championships, the Indians have lost the World Series twice (once when winning by a run in the 9th inning of game 7) and the Browns have never been to a Super Bowl. In fact, my hometown hasn’t won a title since the 1964 Cleveland Browns pulled off the feat (the Super Bowl didn’t even exist yet!). Oh and by the way, Bill Belichick coached the Browns for four years before he went to six Super Bowls with the Patriots.

To understand what it’s like to be a 35-year old Cleveland fan, you have to take a minute and see where we’ve been, starting with my own earliest sports memory…

1986 | Browns lose AFC Championship to Denver Broncos, 20–23 (THE Drive becomes part of Elway folklore)

The Drive refers to an offensive series in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game played on January 11, 1987 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium between the Broncos and Browns. Broncos quarterback, John Elway, in a span of 5 minutes and 2 seconds, led his team 98 yards in 15 plays to tie the game with 37 seconds left in regulation. Denver won the game in overtime with a field goal, 23–20.

1987 | Browns lose AFC Championship to Denver Broncos, 33–38 (THE Fumble commences haunting fans for decades, Earnest you are forgiven brother)

The Fumble refers to a play in the AFC Championship Game between the Browns and Broncos on January 17, 1988 at Mile High Stadium. With 1:12 left in the 4th quarter, Browns running back Earnest Byner fumbled while trying to score a touchdown that would have given the Browns a chance to tie the score with a subsequent extra-point kick, and the Broncos went on to win 38 to 33.

1987–88 | Cavs lose First Round to Chicago Bulls, 3–2

John Paxson is wearing Pumps.

1988 | Browns lose Wild Card to Houston Oilers, 23–24

When did it start snowing?

1988–89 | Cavs lose First Round to Chicago Bulls, 3–2 (you may have heard of THE Shot)

The Shot is the name of the series-winning basket hit by Michael Jordan in Game 5 of the on May 7 against the Cavs in the Coliseum at Richfield. It is considered to be one of Jordan’s greatest clutch moments, and in the game itself, a classic.

1989 | Browns lose AFC Championship to Denver Broncos, 21–37

1989–90 | Cavs lose First Round to Philadelphia 76ers, 3–2 (Recognize that former Cav, current head coach in the front row, left hand side?)

Can I please get #44's autograph?

1991–92 | Cavs lose Eastern Conference Finals to Chicago Bulls, 4–2

1992–93 | Cavs lose Eastern Conference Semifinals to Chicago Bulls, (Lenny Wilkens’ last season)

RIP Bobby Phills

1993–94 | Cavs lose First Round to Chicago Bulls, 3–0 (Are you starting to notice a trend here?)

Mike Fratello era begins…

1994 | Browns lose Divisional Round to Pittsburgh Steelers, 9–29

1994–95 | Cavs lose First Round to New York Knicks, 3–0

RIP Anthony Mason

1994 | Indians have 2nd best record in division, strike cancels Playoffs and World Series

Everyone in Cleveland thought we had a chance that year, one of the hottest teams in the MLB down the stretch.

1995 | Indians lose World Series to Atlanta Braves, 4–2 (remember David Justice?)

Hall of Fame pitchers galore playing for the Braves in ‘95.

1995–96 | Cavs lose First Round to New York Knicks, 3–1

1996–98 | Cleveland loses its Browns to Baltimore

Thanks for three years of depression, Art.

1996 | Indians lose Division Series to Baltimore Orioles, 3–1

Who can forget the Robbie Alomar incident from earlier that season?

1997 | Indians lose World Series to Florida Marlins, 4–3

Oh Jose…we were so close.

1997–98 | Cavs lose First Round to Indiana Pacers, 3–1

1998 | Indians lose ALCS to New York Yankees, 4–2

1999 | Indians lose Division Series to Boston Red Sox, 3–2

Pedro coming out of the pen made Tribe fans sick.

2001 | Indians lose Division Series to Seattle Mariners, 3–2

2002 | Browns lose Wild Card to Pittsburgh Steelers, 33–36

Steelers scored two touchdowns in the final several minutes to break hearts across Northeast Ohio.

2003–14 | Browns would proceed to miss the playoffs 12 straight years

2003 | Lebron drafted

It’s between Lebron and Drew Gooden for best draft attire of all time.

2005–06 | Cavs lose East Semifinals to Detroit Pistons, 4–3

Mike Brown era begins.

2006–07 | Cavs lose NBA Finals to San Antonio Spurs, 4–0 (The Sweep)

The city of Cleveland’s facial expression for about a week afterward.

2007 | Indians lose ALCS to Boston Red Sox, 4–3 (we were up 3–1 in the series…also don’t forget the Bugs Game from two weeks prior)

Yeah that’s me…I think I was the only one in the bleachers in Game 6 with Tribe gear on.

2007 | Browns go 10 and 6 and miss playoffs

Derek Anderson’s one winning season in the NFL.

2007–08 | Cavs lose Eastern Conference Semifinals to Boston Celtics, 4–3

There is zero doubt Lebron wanted the Wizards to beat the Hawks this year…just for one more shot at Pierce.

2008–09 | Cavs lose Eastern Conference Finals to Orlando Magic, 4–2

Who didn’t go crazy when this dropped.

2009 | Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video #1 Emerges

Bravo.

2009 | Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video #2 Emerges

“Our economy is based on Lebron James”

2009–10 | Cavs lose Eastern Conference Semifinals to Boston Celtics, 4–2

You could see it on his face.

2010 | The Decision (“I’m gonna take my talents to South Beach”)

I was always puzzled by Lebron’s first answer to Jim Gray’s question…he was just as nervous as we fans were.

2010 | I lose my temper (note the knife in the back)

These jerseys are surprisingly difficult to burn.

2011 | Mike Polk speaks what’s on every Browns fan’s mind

Mike Polk, Cleveland sports legend.

2013 | Indians lose Wild Card to Rays

I want to karate kick the pile just once.

2014 | Browns Starting Quarterbacks since 1999

Well at least we don’t have to add a name with our 2015 starter (Josh McCown), since his brother (Luke McCown) already “played” for the Browns in 2004)

And then, all was right with the world…

2014 | “I’m Coming Home” by @KingJames

One of Cleveland’s favorite sports moments of all-time didn’t happen on the field.

2014–15 | Cavs lose NBA Finals to Golden State Warriors, 4–2

Lebron & Kobs v. Dub Nation

Cleveland sports fans are underdogs. Always have been and always will. We have a collective chip on our shoulders the size of the state of Ohio.

Since leaving Cleveland, I’ve lived in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco in that order. These cities churn out pro sports titles like they’re throwing out candy at a parade. It was extremely tempting to jump on the SF bandwagon that’s won 16 titles in the last 50 years, but screw that. I live in the Bay Area, but I’ll always be an Ohio guy.

No, I haven’t moved back home. Maybe that makes me a hypocrite for burning that jersey. Yes, I still need to buy a new one (it still seems surreal that he’s here, so for some reason I keep waiting).

But my dream team plays in Cleveland, Ohio. And that’s where I’m from. Hell with it, how about just this once guys?

Let’s go CAVS!

John Kobs | @johnkobs

My sister, Alison, and I at the opener in Lebron’s return to Cleveland (in case you were wondering we lost to the Knicks).