There is a fair amount of security at every NBA game — men who sit behind the team benches watching the crowd, for example — but it’s not overwhelming. Like every professional sporting event that is not a Raiders game, there is kind of a belief that fans are not there cause harm to players or one another.
That belief may be put to the test tonight in Cleveland when LeBron James and the Miami Heat come to town five month’s after “the decision.” You’d like to think Clevelanders will rise above violence. There have been plenty of appeals — from unlikely sources — for rational behavior.
But Cleveland is where a full-grown Browns fan tackled an 8-year-old in a Jets jersey in the parking lot this season. The combination of high emotions and alcohol can lead to bad decisions (just think back to college). So the Cleveland Plain Dealer asked what additional security there would be.
“We’re not trying to create a police state for this game,” (Cavs spokesman Tad Carper) said. “We’ve gone through a very comprehensive process with the league security folks, the local authorities, the Cleveland Police Department, and we feel like we have a great plan in place to make sure we have a safe, law-abiding environment.”
For obvious reasons, the Cavaliers are not detailing what additional security measures will be taken. There will be more security personnel of all levels on hand, but how many has not been released. We will note the Heat’s team bus has been getting a police escort around town so far and there is additional security at their hotel.
For five years now everyone entering Quicken Loans Arena has had to pass through a metal detector, that will continue tonight. Beer will only be served in plastic cups.
As for the crackdown on signs and shirts — just nothing “obscene or vulgar.”
“There’s stuff that crosses the line and there’s a lot that doesn’t cross the line, and that stuff’s fine,” (Carper) said. “Bring the emotion, bring the passion, bring the energy and, maybe most importantly, bring your support for the Cavaliers because we need it, we want it, we’re thankful for it and that’ll really have an impact Thursday night. But don’t do anything to embarrass yourself or embarrass the city and community.”
