Columbus Day -- only 6 Degrees of Separation to -- Anthony Parker

Columbus Day honors Navigator and Explorer Christopher Columbus

Columbus was financed by the Queen of Spain -- Queen Isabella

Isabella bought the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria from a Greek Shipping Magnant

A Greek Shipping Magnant owns Greek Basketball  Team Olympiacos

Olympiacos had their best season in 96-97, winning the Euroleague Title

Euroleague Title was won 5 times by Israeli Powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv

Maccabi Tel Aviv was once led by American -- Anthony Parker.

Yes, I know, that is a big stretch to link Columbus Day to Anthony Parker.  And I know it took me 7 steps.  I never said I was good at math.  But there is a reason for my madness.

Today is Columbus Day, and our Cleveland Cavaliers are playing the Greek powerhouse basketball team Olympiacos.  Olympiacos is, indeed, owned by a Greek shipping and steel magnant, Panagiotis Angelopolus, and his brother Giorgos.

Olypiacos is one of the best basketball teams in all of Europe.  The Israeli powerhouse team Maccabi Tel Aviv is one of Olympiacos' major competitors.

Cavs' new addition, Anthony Parker once played for and starred with Maccabi.  So the owners and players of Olympiacos will be very familar with the reputation and talent of three members of the Cleveland Cavalier team -- LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal  AND  Anthony Parker.

Every basketball fan in Europe, and especially in Greece and Israel will be intently watching the Cavaliers-Olympiacos game.  Most will be rooting for the Greek team to kick some American butt.  They will also be rooting for LeBron and Shaq to show their immense talent.

But, in Israel, all hope and every eye will be focused on someone they consider one of their own -- Anthony Parker.  Anthony Parker and his wife Tamy were both fan favorites in Israel and still have many Israeli supporters.

Here is one American fan that hopes LeBron, Shaq and Parker do not disappoint.  Don't be too surprised if the real star of this game is our own -- Anthony Parker.

Join AP's Cavs' Support Group:

www.CavFanatic.com/AParker18  

As COGG members, we are all commited to doing "whatever it takes" to support our team in its quest for the 2010 NBA Championship.  Recent additions to the Cavs roster -- Shaquille O'Neal, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Leon Powe, Danny Green and possibly Rob Kurz -- prove that ownership and management have the same proactive attitude and commitment.

While COGG remains the only CavFanatic group that is specifically designed to support the organization and all the players, there is definately a place and a demand for groups supporting one specific player.  DG4L (Delonte Groupies 4 Life) is a perfect example.  Almost every player has at least one support group. Many members of COGG play prominent roles in other groups and the cooperation between groups is a very healthy thing.

"One Goal" Phil recently started a new support group for Shaquille O'Neal.  The entire Cavs team is now under the watchful eye and mentoring skills of the Diesel.  The new group "Shaq's Watch" emphasizes that the addition of Shaquille O'Neal provides much more than a physical low-post presence and second scoring option.  Shaq knows the skills needed to win Championships and he will teach these specific skills to the Cavs.

Please take the time to visit this important new support group:

www.CavFanatic.com/ShaqsWatch

While it is not my place or intent to recruit members from COGG to join any other support group, we do encourage you to be involved on many different levels and in various groups of fans.

We are all in this Together.  Winning our 1st NBA Championship will be a monumental quest and will take commitments from a wide coalition of many different groups of fans.  Follow your own heart and passion, but stay proactive.