Cavs superfans travel in style to Game 7

SANDUSKY — They said "yes" quicker than a Donovan Mitchell-led fast break en route to a thunderous slam dunk. Two local men and Cleveland Cavaliers diehards — Phil Payne, of Norwalk, and Mike Zahel, of Sandusky — participated in an exclusive event available for the most loyal fans. With all costs covered by Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, a reported 1,400 Cleveland superfans with season tickets boarded 25 charter buses from downtown Cleveland to Detroit ahead of a Game 7 showdown pitting the Cavaliers against the host Pistons. Everyone on the buses received an all-inclusive travel package consisting of tickets to Sunday night's game — which the Cavaliers won, 125-94 — food, entertainment, goodies and a pregame party. They also obtained and wore custom "Beat Detroit" T-shirts made just for the occasion. Because of Sunday's win, Cleveland advances to its first Eastern Conference finals in eight years. Game 1 against the heavily favored New York Knicks takes place Tuesday night. If Cleveland can win four games in this best-of-seven series, then it will advance to the NBA Finals. If this occurs, then the Cavaliers would take on the Western Conference victor between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. Phil Payne Payne, who teaches music appreciation online for the Ohio Virtual Academy and serves as Edison High School's marching band drumline instructor, attends about a dozen Cavs games a year. He's had season tickets for eight seasons now. "I just like the experience," Payne said. "It's more than just going to the games: They have parties for us and feed us at different gatherings. It's a whole different experience where you get to meet a whole bunch of other people who are also season ticket holders." Payne thoroughly enjoyed himself throughout the day on Sunday. "Everything about it was awesome. The energy was electric," he said. "And sitting with fans, taking up several rows in many different sections — mine had three full rows of Cavs fans — you could easily hear Cavs fans throughout the arena. We were chanting, "Let's go, Cavs!" and it was very audible." He also thanked everyone responsible for creating these memorable moments, including on Sunday, for him and others. "From Dan Gilbert down to the membership team, it's a fantastically run organization," Payne said. Payne called this entire season magical. "It's been exciting," he said. "When their offense moves the ball, like they did in Game 7, it's fun to watch everyone getting involved." So what would a championship signify for a fanatic like Payne? "It would mean everything," Payne said. "Because of this membership I'm in, which got me on the bus trip, you feel more connected to the fan base and the team. It just means more. I would highly recommend the Cavs united membership. It's a whole experience where it makes you close-knit to other fans." Mike Zahel Zahel, who owns his own commercial cleaning business, Cold Creek Cleaning, attends about 15 games a year. He's in a season ticket package with other people, including his good friend, Jim Osherow. The two, in fact, boarded the bus trip together — the latest in seeing many unforgettable games live and in-person together. "I just like the atmosphere and the people you meet, and I have met some really great people," said Zahel, noting his courtside seats are right behind the Cavs' bench. "It's a neat experience." Cleveland had a chance to end the series on Friday at home but came up short against Detroit. "We all thought it was over at that point," Zahel said. "But for us to do what we did in Detroit, blowing them out, that blew everyone away about how we did it. In the NBA, you always see these 15, 20 point leads disappear with the other team usually coming back to make it a close game, but that wasn't the case (in Game 7). We jumped on them from the beginning and never looked back. The Detroit fans were in a state of shock." Gilbert initially sent a caravan of fans, just eight busloads during the first foray, to Detroit for Game 5 on Wednesday — another Cavaliers victory. Zahel loved this gesture and, if the opportunity arose ever again, said he'd definitely take advantage of it himself. Fast-forward four days, and he did just that. "He's an incredible man," Zahel said about Gilbert. "Yes, he's rich, but he's also generous and grateful and has gratitude and shows appreciation to the fans and the organization. The ownership is top-notch, and for him to do what he did the other night, I'm just so thankful." In return and in following Gilbert's lead, as his treat, Zahel often takes buddies, acquaintances and even relatives of his friends so they can check out a floor-level view of high-level professional basketball. "I've been super blessed: I always have two tickets, so I always take friends, family members and others just to experience all of this for those who can't afford to go," Zahel said. "It helps me feel like a kid again." So can Cleveland pull off another upset? "So far, this run has been incredible. We are in the Eastern Conference finals now with New York, and this is going to be another great series," Zahel said. He continued: "We just need our bigs, in (Jarrett) Allen and (Evan) Mobley to step up. We are to be recognized right now. This will be a great series, and I see us playing in an NBA championship game. To win another championship would mean the world to this owner, the organization, the city of Cleveland and fans, like me. This would be the icing on the cake to bring home that trophy." NBA Eastern Conference Finals schedule Note: All games tip off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN except for Game 3, which will be on ABC. • Game 1: Cleveland at New York — Tuesday, May 19 • Game 2: Cleveland at New York — Thursday, May 21 • Game 3: New York at Cleveland — Saturday, May 23 • Game 4: New York at Cleveland — Monday, May 25 • Game 5: Cleveland at New York — Wednesday, May 27* • Game 6: New York at Cleveland — Friday, May 29* • Game 7: Cleveland at New York — Sunday, May 31* *If necessary