On Wednesday afternoon, the Cavaliers officially unveiled their breathtaking state-of-the-art practice facility – the Cleveland Clinic Courts. It was the first time that the local media got a look at the complex and it’s fair to say that they left mightily impressed.It’s hard not be impressed by the hoops utopia located just north of Rockside Road in Independence. From the spacious weight room to the cavernous courts, the new complex should ensure the Cavaliers’ continued ascent among the NBA elite. Quite simply, the Courts will provide players the opportunity to work longer and work smarter. They’ll be able recover more quickly from injuries and even stave off a few from the grind of an 82-game campaign.
And while The Q is still one of the premiere arenas in the league, the Cleveland Clinic Courts are all about the business of basketball.
The impressive attributes of the CCC are almost too numerous to mention and it’s a toss-up between Strength and Conditioning Coach Stan Kellers and Head Trainer Max Benton as to who got the cooler toys.
Stan’s stash ranges from high-tech (Kaiser machines, which use air-pressure training instead of weights) to low-tech (kettle bells, which have been around, literally, for centuries).
Max has a pair of high-tech gadgets that sets the Cleveland Clinic Courts apart. One is the HyrdroWorks underwater treadmill – something only a handful of teams have throughout the league. Basically, the hydrotherapy area allows players to work out their aches and pains using water’s therapeutic elements. The other is the Primus computer rehabilitation system – used by just one other NBA team as well as the U.S. Olympic Committee. Among other things, the Primus system allows the training staff to test players’ range of movement and strength before and after an injury.
Despite tight security, somehow some merry pranksters made their way into the Cleveland Clinic Courts just before the Grand Opening. Their first bit of chicanery was to paint infamous Duke alum, Danny Ferry’s office North Carolina blue. As if the color wasn’t enough, Tarheel decals festooned his walls and windows.
Mike Brown got off relatively easy. His office got the Haden Fry treatment – it was painted pink.
The Cavaliers GM vowed: 1. revenge against the culprit, and 2. to get “that mess” off his wall, in no particular order.
The start of Training Camp is somewhat akin to the first day of school. It’s always interesting to come back from an off-season away to see who has changed their look over the summer.
Several Cavaliers have been working out at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in the past couple weeks and a few were on hand for Wednesday’s opening ceremonies and/or working out in the gym.
Three quick observations …
1. Daniel Gibson has a little more hair. 2. Zydrunas Ilgauskas has a little less. OK, maybe he has a lot less. Big Z busted it down, shaving his head down to stubble. Mixed with a nice tan, Ilgauskas looks pretty good – much younger. He said he buzzed it off around two days after the Cavs were knocked out of the Finals. 3. For all the talk of LeBron James gaining weight over the summer – (the rumor had him at 260) – the only places it looks like he’s gained anything are in his guns and his shoulders.
It’s known that muscle weighs more than fat, so if LBJ is tipping it at 260, the Eastern Conference can drop the allusion that it’s 10 pounds that will slow the young King down.
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