Why it has such relevancy to the fan base isn't clear. In fact, the "one day at a time" Cavs have no interest in entertaining the question. In reality, they'd love to have the issue on the desk at some point, considering it would mean they were dealing with ring distribution.

What is Snow's position on still being considered a part of this Cavs team?

"I don't even look at it like that," said Snow, an Atlanta resident who stopped by to see his former teammates before Game 4 on Monday.

"I look at it as I had an opportunity and I didn't win [a title], and now I'd like to see people I consider friends and a group I had fun with and was great for me to go out and accomplish something."

However, the truth is simple: Absolutely Snow would get a ring.

Snow, who was officially released by the Cavs in March after he retired because of a knee injury, played a direct role in assembling the current Cavs roster. Last summer, he told the team he was prepared to retire instead of spending the season on the inactive list dealing with an injury that clearly would never heal enough to let him play on a regular basis.

That decision and his willingness to go through the NBA's disability claim process saved the Cavs $10 million in luxury-tax payments and salary. With that in the budget, the Cavs were able to trade for guard Mo Williams last August in what essentially was a money deal as the Milwaukee Bucks were looking to dump Williams' long-term contract.

In return, the Cavs freed up Snow to start doing television work, which they didn't have to do, so he could begin the next phase of his career. He now is an analyst on NBA TV and is hoping someday to break in as an assistant coach.

"It is a tough job, you have to study your stuff and articulate the way you feel," Snow said. "I'm happy where I'm at, but I'll explore coaching jobs that may come open. Right now it seems most of the staffs are pretty full."

Business matters: In an interview with the Sports Business Journal that was published this week, Cavs President Len Komoroski said the team's been getting better-than-average season-ticket renewals and currently is first in the NBA in selling new season-ticket packages.

Though the Cavs are in the midst of a record revenue season, there is a fear across the NBA the recession will really start to bite next season because season-ticket renewals and sponsorship deals were signed a year ago before the economy turned far south.

The Cavs have frozen ticket prices for next season and loaded up on incentives to buy season tickets for next year by offering playoff tickets this season. The team has sold out 32 consecutive games, including the playoffs, but there still are suites that are unsold - and some remain dark even for playoff games.

TNT love: TNT announcers Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith had some interesting observations on James during Sunday's broadcast of Game 4 between Boston and Orlando.

Said Barkley, while talking about the Los Angeles Lakers not consistently playing at a high level: "I don't think you can turn it on and off. LeBron hasn't turned it off; he is going to burn his engine up, he's going so hard."

Smith thinks the Hawks are in awe of James.

"When you play against a great player, I don't think you can have that much admiration for him," he said. "It seems like it's been a lot of autograph signing from LeBron James. He hasn't been knocked on his butt this whole series. When you play against great players, as a team, you can get consumed watching what he can do and admiring at the same time.

"The great teams look at it as a slap in the face, that he's having a great game against you, and all of a sudden you get a little more physical, a little more testy and things aren't as much fun. LeBron hasn't been angry this series; he's not angry at the Hawks. That's when you know the series is not a hard series."

Plain Dealer reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer contributed to this report. To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bwindhorst@plaind.com, 216-999-5166