If the week starts on Sunday (which calendars do and I will do for the purpose of this blog) then this week was started with mixed-emotions for me. I had the grand opportunity to travel with a group of co-workers to D.C. to watch the team play and do a little scouting for the marketing department. It was great to see our nation's capitol along with our team and tons of fans being there.

We go on trips like this every once in a while in order to gather and share ideas with other game ops and marketing departments around the league. In the summer the NBA holds meetings where all teams get together and strategize on how to make our games more enjoyable for all of our fans.

So we went to D.C. to spend some time with some of our co-workers and to do a little "homework." It was a great thing to see our guys play in a different city (my 1st time watching the Cavs on the road) especially how well they were supported. I would have to say about 40% of the arena was rooting for the Wine & Gold.

Unfortunately we weren't able to pull it out in the end but I think the loss (on the road) gave our team a chance to regroup and take a step back before we came home and battled Charlotte and then Boston. It also gave me a time to focus on all the things we should be fortunate here.

1st off- for all the things Dan Gilbert and our front-office management gives us. He is not only the owner but a motivator of us all. He obviously wants everyone to be the best in every position on the court but is just as passionate on either getting the best people or developing people to be the best at every position off the court. He also is willing to give us the best resources and opportunities to give everyone, one of the best entertainment value in sports.

2nd- for all the coaches and players that not only turn out a great effort night and night out but demonstrate such class that it makes it even easier to get up and cheer for.

3rd- for all the great fans in this city who support our teams with great passion. The fans that I saw on the road and the fans I see in the arena are amazing and give the team great motivation. The Proof- 19-0

So those are some of the things that I thought about after the D.C. trip and were reiterated with our win over Boston on Friday night. It was a win against the defending World Champions. A win to be happy about, a win that keeps us in first place in the entire league (for the 1st time this late in the season since 1989) but a win that we shouldn't get overly excited about. Yes it was a nice win, but Boston has been in a slump, Orlando is right behind us and Boston is still the World Champ- until we beat them in May or June. So let's keep the smiles on our faces but let's continue on our mission, not get overly confident and focus on our task at hand- to continue support our Cavaliers with the same passion that has brought us to this point.  

Well we are officially underway with both the Monsters and Cavs! The better news is that both teams are doing better than they were a year ago. I am more optimistic than ever before for a Cleveland team and since I have been a Cavs fan since I was young and was actually in attendance for the shot I really want the Cavaliers to bring the first championship to Cleveland in recent history.

I have to give props to the people who made the Cav's Veteran's Day very memorable for all the Veterans out there. Let's Go Cavs!