Since he didn’t sit Courtside (he chose to sit quietly in a Suite), and his picture was not broadcast on the QTube, few Cavs fans knew that Lebron James’ St.Vincent-St. Mary High School Coach was in attendance to witness his former State Champion take on the Philadelphia 76ers.
Before the game, Coach Dru Joyce was the Keynote Speaker at the Rebounders (Official Cleveland Cavalier Booster Club) Chalk Talk Dinner. Many children, STVSTM fans, Cavs Legend Barry Clemens, and longtime Cavalier fans packed into a Quicken Loans Arena Level Two Suite to hear the Coach speak, take pictures with him, ask him questions, and to get his autograph on various items ranging from jackets, T-Shirts, Rise Up! Towels, LeBron memorabilia, and copies of “Shooting Star” books.
Coach Joyce spoke on various topics which included filming the movie “More Than A Game,” what it takes to win a championship, his faith in Christianity, his wife and children, and everyone’s favorite topic—LeBron James.
Most notably Coach Joyce said that James really loves the Cleveland/Akron area; he feels that Cleveland is the best place for James to remain in 2010 and beyond.
He also said that a winning attitude starts at the top. And both Cavs GM Danny Ferry and Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert are excellent leaders who are doing all they can to win a Championship in Cleveland.
With that being said, Lebron led four starters (who also scored in double digits) in a 97-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He scored 32 points, had 9 assists, and 7 rebounds.
Mo Williams scored 18 points, had 3 steals, 5 assists, and 8 rebounds. JJ Hickson, who continues to start and get better in each game, scored 14 points, and had 5 rebounds. Zydrunas Ilgauskas (who passed Bingo Smith for the second spot in Cavs all-time leader in games played, with number 720) scored 13 points scored , had 4 assists, blocked two shots, and added 8 rebounds.
Jamario Moon came off the bench and added a spark to the Cavs offense with a couple of his poster worthy dunks! Moon scored 7 points, and had 4 rebounds.
Shaquille O’Neal remained inactive with a shoulder injury, and did not play.
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* – Dru Joyce and STVSTM team photo credit: IMDB courtesy of We Do the Movies
