The NBA looked much different eight years ago.

Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown had just been drafted into the league, Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon saved the dunk contest, Kobe Bryant scored 60 points in a farewell game, and the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors routinely squared off in the NBA Finals.

Flash forward to 2024, and now two foes from those historic matchups are teaming up with one another, hoping to bring a championship to the Dallas Mavericks.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Klay Thompson is set to leave Golden State and is signing a three-year deal to team up with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic in Dallas, creating the league’s newest big three.

Irving and Thompson each played an integral role in bringing champions to their respective teams in the late 2010s.

Irving will always be known for “The Shot” in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals, which snapped Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought, and Cavs fans still have flashbacks of watching Thompson pulling up from deep in transition and automatically hitting a three.

Thompson was the Warriors’ best permitter defender during those matchups, so he found himself guarding Kyrie in many of those games. An elite scorer such as Kyrie and one of the game’s best stoppers in Klay made their head-to-head matchups a treat to watch.

Funny enough, it was even Thompson who said LeBron James “probably just got his feelings hurt,” which is what sparked Kyrie and the Cavs’ comeback from a 3-1 lead. 

No matter what teams Kyrie or Klay are a member of for the rest of their career, they’ll still be tied to those Finals matchups from so many years ago. 

For Cavs fans, seeing them as teammates playing alongside one another will definitely take some time to get used to. But the duo, along with Doncic, can potentially be one of the most dangerous lineups in the league next season.

The experience they gained playing against one another in those intense matchups could come back to help them each get back to the promised land of another NBA Championship.

Bob was born and raised in Cleveland, OH, to Eleanor and Rock Bauer Sr. (deceased). He is survived by his loving wife, Ann Bauer, and his four children: Joe Bauer, Sharon Cameron (Chase), Julie Spahr (Nate), and Brandy Bauer. Bob was a loving grandfather to Kailey and Payton Cameron, with one grandchild on the way, Jackie. He was a great-grandfather to Ellie and Chase Cameron. He is also survived by his siblings: Wayne Sr. (Fern), John Sr., Larry Sr. (Cindy), DeeDee Hensley (Tom), Darla Rutowski (Lester), Rock Bauer (Debbi), and Janet Bauer. He was a brother-in-law to Joe Butvin (Cona) and Mike Butvin (Paris). Bob was an honorary family member to Kim Johnson, whom his kids affectionately called Auntie Kim. He was an uncle, great-uncle, and great-great-uncle to many. He is also survived by his adored cats, Scout and Angelo.

Bob was a devoted husband and father who did everything to provide for his family. Though raised in Cleveland, he also lived in Indianapolis, IN, and later settled in Delaware, OH. Bob was an avid Elvis fan and a huge fan of the movie Forrest Gump. He was a veteran of the Army, having served during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Germany. He was always proud of his military service. Bob was known for his love of nature, his protective nature, and his humor. He was quick with a joke and famous for his impersonations of Rocky Balboa, Forrest Gump, The Terminator, and countless others. He was the “magic man” to all the kids growing up, famously making quarters appear from behind their ears.

He was strong in his Catholic faith and often read passages during Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Delaware, OH. Through his faith and inherent nature, he was always quick to offer advice and assistance, whether it be a shoulder to lean on or help with fixing a car. In his younger days, he and his brothers operated Bauer Automotive on Cleveland’s west side.

Bob will be deeply missed by anyone fortunate enough to know him.

Family and friends are welcome on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Slone & Co. Funeral Directors 13115 Lorain Ave. Cleveland, OH 44111. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church 82 E. William St. Delaware, OH 43015. Inurnment St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.

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