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Tickets at Ticket Master
In nearly every facet, the Cavaliers feel like they've been reborn. Thursday was the party.
The television lights were on; the cameras clicked en masse; the microphones
numbered in the dozens. It was like a chic fashion show or a hip IPO party as
a horde of local and national media descended on Gund Arena for media day.
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Such events are known for their rose-colored giddiness, where every team is 0-0 and possibilities are considered endless. Every ticketmaster player talks about being excited; every coach is optimistic.
For the Cavaliers in 2003, though, this scenario actually rings true. The team
with the worst record in the NBA expects to be better every year, but the Cavaliers
have merit to their argument.
There's a general acknowledgement that plenty of bumps await in this upcoming
season, but Thursday was a day to enjoy the possibilities.
"It's about the attitude," Cavaliers guard Darius Miles said. "Everyone
from the janitor up to the people in the office have a good attitude about this
season."
Even LeBron James, the source of all the hype, wasn't immune to the afternoon's
trappings. He has been grounded throughout the events of the past four months
and the whirlwind from his final high school game ticketmaster until his first
NBA practice this week, yet he even has moments when he's got to pinch himself.
"To be playing in the NBA and playing 30 minutes from your hometown,"
James said. "It's like two dreams wrapped it one."
The dream has recaptured Cavaliers fans and brought the national spotlight.
The New York Times, USA Today and other national media outlets were on hand
to witness it.
"I haven't had an experience like this since my Duke days," Carlos
Boozer said. "This is what we need, we need a great atmosphere to be successful."
Add a new head coach, Paul Silas, new colors, even a new dance team, and this
is no ordinary preseason. Ticket sales have surged; the jerseys are flying off
the shelves around the country. Even the ticketmaster bitterness from the past
few seasons has faded.
"It has been a tough couple of years with this young team," Zydrunas
Ilgauskas said. "It is time for us to redeem ourselves."
McCoy joins party
As expected, the Cavs signed free agent Jelani McCoy on Thursday. Terms were
not disclosed. McCoy, a 6-10 center, averaged 6.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in
67 games for Toronto last season.
Ticket update
Single game Cavaliers tickets go on sale this weekend. Friday at 10 a.m., 16,000
$10 seats will be available only at www.clevelandcavaliers.com , www.ticketmaster.com
or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX. Saturday at 10 a.m. 200,000 single-game seats
in $50, $40, $36, $34, $20 and $10 price ranges will go on sale on the Web sites,
over the phone, at Ticketmaster locations and the Gund Arena box office. The
Cavaliers will start handing out ticketmaster numbered wristbands for a ticket
lottery at 7 a.m. Saturday at the arena and also will provide free doughnuts
to waiting fans.