Happy Holidays carolers of CavFanatic!  Christmas and Hanukkah have passed, but we are still in the middle of Kwanza so let's keep this holiday cheer going, huh? 

Last week my family, friends and I celebrated Christmas, like many of you.  Now I love this holiday just as much as the next kid, but I do have to say that it I am starting to spell it differently as I become a more seasoned veteran.  Each year, I seem to find myself spelling this type of season as, "Holy-days," as in, "Holy (fill in what you want)!"  Usually it is followed by a question like, "Why do we have to go to 10 different houses to see the same people," or "Why do I have to wrap all of these presents when all the people who receive them, especially my nieces and Mickey, are going to do is rip it off and throw it away," or "I can't believe you got me this!" But this year it was more like, "Holy (beep)! We are a good basketball team!"

Yes, Santa has delivered for the Cavaliers this holiday season in the form of yet another 6 game winning streak, staying perfect at The Q this season (16-0) with wins over Houston on Eve of Christmas Eve, the Wizards for the 90th time in a row on Christmas Day and then the Heat on the second to last day of Hanukkah. Let's just say that if we were lighting candles on a Menorah with consecutive wins over Miami, it would be half full (that's 5 straight for those of you scoring at home).  Santa also delivered for TheBron® on Christmas Day and, in turn, TheBron®/Nike/Cavaliers delivered for the fans.  As if a win wasn't enough, TheBron® unveiled his new "chalk" edition Zoom VI shoe and even gave some lucky fans courtside shoes of their own.  But everyone in The Q was TheBron®, if only for a brief moment, when during his pregame chalk toss ritual, 20,562 fans joined in unison to toss white confetti, turning The Q into the world's largest snow globe (and that is a scientific fact!).  Click here to view the video of The Q.  However, I prefer Moondog's rendition of the "chalk" TV spot.  It is a MUST see!  Click here to view Moondog's Chalk debut.

We wrap up 2008 tonight against the Heat...again...so for all of you still celebrating Kwanza, keep the party going and enjoy your celebration.  As for the rest of you, I'll catch you all in "The Year of the Ox," hopefully riding a 7 game win streak into 2009.

Greetings fellow Fanatics.  Like most of you, I am still recovering from the glass case of emotion that I was in watching last night's performance by our Cavaliers.  I was geeked at the thumping that we laid down on the Knickerbockers in "The Mecca" but at the same time I was frustrated with all the 2010 talk.  I'm not going to get into because I have already voiced my opinion in a previous blog (Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc) but I will say that if you are bothered by the rhetoric, just crank that new Kanye in your iPod and worry about 2010 when 2010 is here.  For now, enjoy the ride because it is only going to get better.

As we in Rome (aka The Q...send me a message and I'll explain why I call it that) prepare for the Thunder rolling in on the horizon tonight, I would be remised to not take this time to give thanks to some special people who have made an impact in my life.  And seeing as tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I couldn't have picked a better time.  There are no to better words in the English language that, when used together, communicate an emotion and feeling more effectively...ok, maybe there is another pair...

So without further ado, THANK YOU....

• Dan Gilbert - For giving fans in Cleveland something they can believe in because they can see it (I should get more CavFanatic points for incorporating an "ism" into this blog.)
• Danny Ferry - For putting this team together so that we can be a part of something special
• Joel P-Moondog-billa - For giving a kid from Youngstown a chance...that's all I asked for and you obliged.  I hope I haven't let you down.  Love the name by the way...
• Admin Witness - Dreams really do come true
• LeBron James - For making us all Witnesses
• Cavs Marketing - For making each day fun.  It hasn't felt like a day of work yet because you make it enjoyable
• Pacini - For drafting Devin Harris and Derrick Rose...GENIUS!
• The Council - 'nuf said
• THE Quote Board on 6 - Priceless...I just hope I'm never on there
• Delonte West - Yeah, he's my favorite Cavs player but he never ceases to amaze on and off the court.  My man is shooting 53% from the field and 45% from 3-point range (top 20 in THE League).  By the way, if you haven't had a chance to read the feature on Cavs.com, Delonte West's Mailbox, it is a MUST read.
• My Family and Friends - Why wouldn't I thank them?  They're who made me who I am and who keep me from becoming something I am not.
• M&M - Each day I am a better person because of you
• Joel Layman - For coming up with the LeBron James Golden Bobble idea.  One of the coolest things we've done so far.  You don't want to miss this game!
• Skip Bayless - For teaching me that no matter how annoying or wrong you are about something, the First Amendment will always protect you.
• The Bowl Championship Series Committee - For showing people that no matter how dumb an idea is or how useless it is, SOMEONE will buy it and you can make millions!
• Everyone on CavFanatic - Without you this wouldn't be possible

And last but certainly not least, every single Cavaliers fan.  Without you, we couldn't do what we do when we do what we do.  It is because of each and every one of you that we stand and, as The Optimist says, "Keep the faith," that at the end of the day, it is, has been and forever will be: All for one. One for all.

Happy Thanksgiving!  GO CAVS!

...we're pretty good.

It's been a minute since I have entertained you fellow Fanatics with my lyrical masterpieces so I thought I would pull myself away from strategizing to add to my CavFanatic point total.  Only 10,000 more and I can get that autographed Jeff Lillibridge bobblehead I've had my sights set on...

Let's go inside the numbers since my last blog, shall we?

11,018 - Number of points LeBron James has scored in his career...the youngest player  to reach 11,000 points in NBA history.
9,600+ - Number of people enrolled in Cavs Mobile Fan Alerts presented by Alltel Wireless.  Are you one of them?  Click here to find out how to get Cavs Fan Alerts.
200+ - Number of people who attended CavFanatic Night on 11/7 for an all you can eat schmorgusbord of food and Q&A with Danny Ferry (NOTE: also the number of dropped passes Braylon Edwards has this season...ok so I may be a little off)

Brent Lillibridge (Jeff's long lost brother)

75 - The lowest percentage that the Cavaliers shot from the free throw line over the past 8 games (NOTE: It was 80% until we shot 75% last night)
64 - Number of TOTAL minutes it took to set up and film Moondog's trick shot video (The Dog has some game...he also is pretty good)
51 - Delonte West's 3-point shooting percentage this year
48 - Number of times Graphics Director, Mark Podolak, watched Cheney's demonstration of the GMC Acadia on Cavs.com...TODAY
39 - Pairs of tennis shoes that Joel Layman has in his closet with matching track jacket
22 - Number of times "That's what she said," was uttered in the Cavs office today (NOTE: Over under per day is 25...pay the under)
10 - Number of different hand-shake variations Joe Gabriele and I went through before we landed on THE one and it is pretty...pretty...pretty good
9 - Number of wins out of 11 our beloved Cavaliers have won to start the season
8 - Current win streak the Cavaliers are on with number 9 pending tonight in Motown
7 - Number of assists LeBron is averaging this year (NOTE: also the number of wins the Steelers have this season)
4 - Number of McFamily Nights we've had at Cavaliers Games that include a ticket to the game and McDonalds Value Meal...there are still 11 more to choose from (NOTE: also the number of wins the Browns have this season)
3 - Number of weeks into the NBA season we are
2 - Number of times LeBron has won Eastern Conference Player of the Week this season (NOTE: also is the number of screen names I have had since my last blog)

But the most important number is 1.  Yes, 1 is the loneliest number but it also represents the number of Thunder Snowstorms we've had this year in Cleveland (Monday, 11/17), our current rank in the Eastern Conference Central Division, the only win streak that matters in Coach Mike Brown's mind and, most importantly, the number that represents what we are all about at the Cavaliers: All for one.  One for all. 

Our 9th consecutive 1 game winning streak is tonight against Detroit at 7:30pm on FOX Sports Ohio HD or WTAM-1100.

 "Well, that's my name." "No (fill in the rest)?"

Christmas may be just under 2 months away, but now is the season to be excited because the Cavaliers kick off the 2008/09 World Tour with a visit to Beantown tonight.  If you are reader of Moondog's latest blog, you are probably wondering about my "double secret probation."  In the best Phil Savage impersonation that I can muster, here is my response:  Once and for all, Moondog's appearance was cleared with the staff.  Secondly, there was no secondary suspension.  Thirdly, I'm in the building. I am working, the team plays at 8 o'clock.  It's the end of the story.  It's over with.  There is no secondary suspension.  Cleared by Moondog's staff.  Everybody's got it, right?

Now, let's move on to the issue at hand: It's basketball time at The Q.  The Optimist weighed in with his decision and I won't spoil the fun if you haven't read it already but let's just say we are all about to be Witness to the first letter of TheBron to the MVP voters.

I gotta get back to work but just wanted to take a moment to remind all of you to make sure your DVR's, TiVO's, VCR's or whatever else you use to record your favorite shows are tuned to the World Series, Dirty Jobs, House, The Hills, 90210 or whatever else you watch on Tuesday, because at 8PM EST tonight, your eyes better be fixed on TNT or ears listening to Joe Tait-er Salad on WTAM-1100 as you "show your love for the Cleveland Cavalieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers" as we take one step closer to the title.  All for one.  One for all.

A must read, especially if you're from Youngstown. It's not not the most creative title for one of my blogs and I know I am setting myself up for ridicule from Moondog but so be it.

E:60 ran a special segment on Kelly Pavlik that talked about his, mine and hundreds of thousands of other people’s hometown.

There may only be 73,000+ people now living in Youngstown, about 36% less than there were only 20 years ago, but you don’t have to still live in Youngstown to call it “home.” Now if you're reading this and you are from the town we more affectionately refer to as "The Yo" and not "Murder City," you will know what I am talking about, Joe G, Hudak, Brew, Scotty Mac, O, Sivie, Frasc-atelli…to name a few. If you aren't a Y-town native, I hope that you'll have an understanding as to why EVERY person you have ever met is proud to say that they are from a city that has little to be proud of from the media’s point of view. It seems that every story, whether it is the ESPN piece above or the latest story in Rolling Stone, likes to paint a picture of Youngstown that is one-sided.

Here is what Youngstown really is: Its “blue collar.” Its diverse. The average family makes $30,000 and works 50 hours a week but always has time for family. You’re raised to believe that the measure of a person’s life is not the amount of money you have or things you possess, but by the impact you have on the people who shared that life with. It is a true melting pot, with people of every race, creed and nationality. The high school is more than a place where you received an education. For instance, it could have been where you found your wife/husband, where you found immortality by being an athlete and there are some who found receiving that diploma to be a family first. The past is remembered every day and the future is something that you’ll think about tomorrow. The abandoned steel mill downtowns are memorials to our grandparents/parents triumphant past that made it possible for us to have the lives we have now and the businesses that flourish today have taken on the responsibility of carrying the torch of a new vision for Youngstown. You see the same people out every weekend and always **** about it, but yet always notice when you don’t see them and wonder what’s wrong and if they’re ok. You can go to another place to hang out, but you know they would notice that you weren’t there too. You defend the reputation and products of ice cream parlors and hot dog shoppes as if you were an owner and the beauty of Mill Creek Park is impossible to capture with words...

...We work our **** off for everything that we have. We show respect and courtesy to everyone but expect it in return. We don’t expect things to be easy. We don’t expect things to go our way. Actually, we are somewhat surprised and humbled when they do because we know that failing is the only way we get better. Kelly Pavlik’s father said it best in the E:60 piece below, “The Youngstown ethic is that there is no shame in getting knocked down, the shame is not getting back up.” We wear our emotions on our sleeve and we often think with our hearts rather than our heads. Your best friend is still the person you met when you were 5 and you still have some animosity towards a person who went to your rival high school, no matter how long you’ve graduated. You believe in God, each other and that no matter how bad it gets, it still could always be worse. You spend 18-22 years of your life to get an education and get out of the town that has made your life miserable for so long, but yet you always want to bring your friends back to it to show them what it is all about. But most importantly, it is a family. Whether you’re Greek roots lie in Campbell, your Italian ancestors landed on Brier Hill or your Slovak/Hungarian/Polish upbringing was on the West Side by Belle Vista, you share a common bond with each and every person. No matter where you end up or where you rest your head at night, Youngstown will forever be “home.”

I have made no secret to the fact that I am a fan of Kelly Pavlik and have endured ridicule from my colleagues in the Cavs Organization whenever they have had the opportunity to do so. However, Kelly represents more than just a fighter...he's like Youngstown's "Rocky," only you can understand him when he talks and has a better jab.  When he wins, all of us from Youngstown win because, if not for a moment, we shatter the perceptions about our home. Sports has been and forever will be an escape for people from life’s obstacles. We seek refuge and take comfort in the fact that there is someone from our hometown who has made it. It is only fitting that the boxing analogy is used when comparing Youngstown. It’s not about giving a punch, its can you take one. We have a face that we can put to the pride we have for our town. We can bring Youngstown to them. But Kelly doesn't have to beat Hopkins on Saturday to prove himself to anyone. He has already proven himself to hundreds of thousands of Youngstown natives and hopefully the world. Like John Young did in 1796, Kelly Pavlik is giving everyone from Youngstown a chance to show the world that long before the Cavaliers embraced the motto, Youngstown has been living each day for more than 2 centuries under that idea that, in everyway, it has been and forever will be: “All for One. One for All.”