My version of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ championship begins nine days before anyone ever sprayed champagne or raised the trophy for the first time. In the back corner of the Cavs’ locker room, in the moments following a disheartening Game 4 loss to the Golden State Warriors to fall behind 3-1 in the series, Kevin Love sat motionless at his locker still dressed in his game jersey while LeBron James rubbed lotion into his forearms and dressed in the opposite corner behind us.“All you have to do is figure out how to win Game 5,” I said to Love.He nodded.“Ain’t no way you’re losing 6 back here,” I said.“No f—ing way,” Love said in agreement.“And in a Game 7, I’ll take my chances with that guy over anyone else on the court,” I said while motioning behind me toward LeBron. Love again agreed.That left just one massive problem to solve.How were the Cavs going to win Game 5 in Oracle Arena?I was the Cavaliers beat writer for the Akron Beacon Journal at the time, and chronicling that team — and that NBA Finals series — remains one of the great highlights of my career. I carried a deep sense of responsibility in documenting the history of one of the greatest players of all time in his hometown paper. So, on the 10th anniversary of that improbable championship, rather than rehash another play-by-play of that thrilling Game 7, here instead are my core memories of the 2015-16 Cavaliers. The rest of the world never knew about most of these moments. They are the snapshots I’ll carry forever.