The honeymoon for the Cavaliers is over. IT ended Sunday night when they found a way to squander a 28-point lead and ultimately drop a 110-109 decision to the Houston Rockets.

For more than two seasons the Bronx Cheer was never heard at the Cavs’ games, but fan attitude is changing. Mr. & Mrs. Fan are becoming impatient and boos are replacing cheers.

During their first season the fans cheered their every move. They even gave standing ovations at time-outs. Even last year the Arena regulars hooted and howled for their Cavaliers.

Apparently the fun is over and no longer is it enough just to be in the National Basketball Association.

THE CAVALIERS are 9-25 and they’ve lost nine of 10 games decided by three or less points. These close losses have been frustrating for the layers as well as the people in the stands.

With every close game fans ask themselves, How will they lose it this time?" The Cavs found a new way Sunday. Even the players wonder. They played the last quarter against Houston as though they were walking on eggs.

In a recent nail-biter in which the Cavs won in overtime, many of the folks began leaving with Cleveland trailing by just two points, 96-94. That never happened during the first two seasons, no matter what the score.

Coach Bill Fitch was sharply criticized Sunday for not substituting for Lenny Wilkens and Rick Robertson, who appeared very tired in the fourth quarter.

IN FACT, there are several very vocal supporters who get on Fitch every game. They don’t do it because they dislike him. They’re frustrated at the near misses.

I’ve just looked at the films and the fatigue wasn’t there," Fitch said Monday. "I checked during the ball game. Rick and Lenny were both okay. We just played poorly. We missed lay-ups, but it wasn’t because of fatigue.

"We played the people who gave us the lead and they lost it. I wouldn’t have done it differently now 24 hours later," added Fitch.

"I don’t blame anyone for that game, but this has been one nightmare after another."

FITCH IS as aware of the changing fan reaction as anyone and he philosophizes this way.

"Maybe we’ve gotten better than people expected and now they’re getting impatient," said the coach.

"We’re down and the easiest thing to do is quit, but we’ve got 48 games left and things have to change.

"No one likes to lose. It’s tough on the players and it’s tough on the coach."

JOHN JOHNSON, who had a fine game against the Rockets with 30 points and nine rebounds, said he was "shocked about the whole thing."

"YOU COULD see it coming, but you keep thinking it’s far off," J. J. said of Sunday’s loss. "I always feel like there’s a chance. I’m not a quitter and I always think we can win. "I’ll always remember the loss, but it doesn’t change anything to dwell on it. We just have to go fresh Friday against New York."

Johnson is aware of the new fan attitude and said, "I can understand it. They’re frustrated just like we are. They want us to win. They pay for their seats and have a right to boo. It’s up to us to make them want to cheer."

The Cavaliers are no longer a baby among the Cleveland sports fraternity. They’re a full grown member and the fans expect more --- probably because they’ve come so close so often without getting the brass ring.

This article first appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer December 19, 1972.
Reproduced with permission.