The Cleveland Cavaliers received their championship rings and raised their banner before the 2016-17 season opener on Tuesday night.
After an emotional battle that resulted in an NBA Championship, the Cleveland Cavaliers got to celebrate one more time on opening night. In front of a capacity crowd at The Q Arena on Tuesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers received their championship rings and raised their banner to the rafters.
The Cavaliers all danced their way up to receive their ring and LeBron James gave a speech to get the crowd in the arena fired up. After that, everyone went over to touch the championship banner as it ascended to the rafters, while Queen’s “We are the Champions” blared over the arena speakers.
Of all the banner raising ceremonies, this was always going to be one of the more emotional ones. With the long championship drought the city had and how many times they had fallen short of reaching that goal before, to see the banner raise was an emotional sight.
Seeing the team touch the banner before it went up for good is one moment that fans in Cleveland will never forget. While they accomplished their dream, they will now begin their next quest going forward of trying to repeat.