<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'> Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert runs his businesses using a set of principles he refers to as "isms." </p> One of his favorites is, "The inches we need are everywhere around us." </p> The saying is displayed on the walls around Quicken Loans Arena and is often heard in a speech by actor Al Pacino, playing a football coach, in a video clip on the scoreboard. It means that a tiny bit of extra effort, say one more rebound in basketball, could mean the difference between winning and losing. </p> Starting today, the Cavaliers are adding more than 7 million of those inches to their operation when their new practice facility, Cleveland Clinic Courts, opens in Independence. The facility's first official function will be a media tour this afternoon. </p> The stunning $25 million, 50,000-square-foot facility is the most technologically advanced in sports and so rustically beautiful that even Allen Iverson wouldn't complain about having to go to practice. </p> Every aspect of the building, from the double practice courts to the locker room to the training and weight rooms and the video coaching operation, is state of the art. There are machines so new that the Cavs staff is still learning how to use them. The team assembles for its first workouts at the complex on Oct. 1. </p> Compared to the dark, cramped practice facilities at The Q, this is a breath of fresh air -- literally -- and another example of Gilbert's pledge to build a championship team, no matter what the cost. </p> "The commitment he has continually made to us has been incredible," Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry said of Gilbert. </p> According to Ferry, the Cavs' goal was to build a facility to help the team maximize its opportunities to succeed. Assistant general manager Chris Grant toured many of the finest sports practice facilities in the country and helped put together a building that encompasses the best of each of those. Given Ferry's past history as a player and executive with the San Antonio Spurs, some of the building features are nearly identical to those in San Antonio - like the practice courts themselves, and the theater-style team meeting and video room. </p> Grant said the Cavs were able to do virtually everything they wanted to do.</div></p> Source: Cleveland Plains Dealer</p>
This is a real step forward for the Cavs. Their previous training equipment was just unacceptable for a team of NBA calibre. With this new facility hopefully they can build upon their success and convert it into a Championship within the next five years.
