There's always this year: on basketball and ascension

Pregame

First quarter: City as its true self

A timeout in praise of legendary Ohio aviators

Intermission: On fathers, sons, and ghosts, holy or otherwise: He got game (1998)

Second quarter: Flawed and mortal gods

A timeout in praise of legendary Ohio aviators

Intermission: On the darkest heavens: Above the rim (1994)

Third quarter: The mercy of exits, the magic of fruitless pleading

A timeout in praise of legendary Ohio aviators

Intermission: On hustles: White men can't jump (1992)

Fourth quarter: City as its false self

A timeout in praise of legendary Ohio aviators

A brief postgame scouting report in praise of legendary Ohio aviators.