It's All About Inches

There are so many plays in Game 7 and in this series that players, coaches, you fans, and us broadcasters will replay over and over again. That means one thing: two teams a micro-fiber difference between each other.

As Delonte said best...there were few dry eyes in the locker room, because they knew as a group they had given every ounce of themselves. Especially for a 24-year-old point guard and a 23-year-old superstar, it means using that heartache of what just happened to sharpen their tools even more.

LeBron expressed his pride in what he and his teammates did in the postseason. They are in very good company, with outstanding teams who could not make it to the final 4.

To borrow a phrase from Dan Gilbert, at this stage it's all about inches...for the Cavs organization as a whole and for the players and coaches. Keep finding a way to improve every single aspect. It's the thirst to get better and keeping that single-minded goal of winning a championship that drives everyone.

As LeBron said so well..."We need to get better"..and this team will.

So, trust that there are even better days ahead...that's why as a fan, while I'm sure you feel that hurt too, you have to know we are very early in this ride. This was a speed bump.

And look at it this way...a new opportunity will come again, starting in only five months. And I can't wait.

Taking the Court...For An Important Reason

One of the highlights of the week has been the “Take the Court” benefiting the Children's Tumor Foundation, presented by the Better Halves (coaches, players and personnel staff wives and girlfriends) headed up by Carolyn Brown which was a big hit. Mike’s wife has that special touch...from the shrimp the size of baseballs which sat in ice sculptured basketballs, to centerpieces of Nike shoes filled with Gerber daisies and tulips. Jennifer Ilgauskas helped spearhead the evening from the podium and showed she is just as cool under pressure as Z is.

Former Cavaliers, Jim Brewer, Larry Nance and Jim Chones were among the special guests of honor, but the show was capped by auctioneers, Dan Gilbert and Danny Ferry. They started out taking bids on a LeBron James signed jersey, followed by a trip on the team plane to watch the Cavs tangle with the Pistons at the Palace. Also a popular item was an upcoming skills competition at the Cleveland Clinic Courts...the winning bid meant competing against the Cavs assistant coaches.

But the big hit of the night, was when the two auctioneers ad-libbed their additions to the auction items. It started with two tickets in the owner's suite, sitting next to Danny, who would be wearing an Anderson Varejao wig. As the bids continued to climb, they kept sweetening the pot "Two feet on the floor” said the GM, meaning two prime tickets courtside, premier parking right next to LBJ, and oh yeah, the boss added, "How about a Mike Brown piggy back ride around the court." Good idea, until Mike's better half saved him. Carolyn thus had her husbands back...after all, it's only March and the head coach has too much standing to go this season...can’t throw out his back before the playoffs.

One fan asked Dan G "Are you still matching all bids?" Dan said "Yep." $10,000 was the winner...a great time had by all...over $75,000 were raised. Great job!!!

If you’d like to donate to the Children’s Tumor Foundation…go to CTF.org.