Cavs All Business Approach Evident by Introduction Huddle

With the way they are handling pre-game introductions, the Cleveland Cavaliers are all business.

For most NBA teams, the pre-game player introductions is a time for the players to get hyped up, display the numerous handshakes they share with their teammates and simply entertain the fans in attendance.

Not for the Cavs though.

Over the past couple of games, it has been evident that the Cavs are no longer going through the tradition introduction routine of running up the court and high-fiving teammates. Instead, the Cavaliers are staying in a huddle, united as one, while the Cavs in-game MC Ahmaad Crump introduces the starting line-up and fire blasts out of the humongotron, the name for Cleveland’s huge screen at the Quicken Loans Arena. The image is one of professionalism and an all-business approach to the game.

Many fans have been confused about this ‘strategy’ that the Cavaliers have employed. The Cavs in-game entertainment team is one of the best in the NBA and put together an excellent video package and 3D on-court projections for the introductions. The lack of involvement in the traditional player introductions isn’t disrespecting or ignoring anyone though. It is simply a mentality and it further confirms the all-business like approach of this Cavalier team.

LeBron James explained the change to Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group:

"“It’s just about being focused and preparing for the game,” James told cleveland.com. “It’s something we did in Miami at certain points. It’s about playing the game the right way and your approach. Staying locked in and being ready to go.”"

Tristan Thompson, a player known for his goofy personality and comedic state has also fully brought into the introduction huddle and asserted the importance to Haynes:

"“I think it’s just a mindset so our opponents know we’re ready to play,” Thompson said to cleveland.com. “We’re first on the court, ready for tip, and when they (opponent) look over there after they do their huddle, it sends a message that they’ve got to be ready to rumble. It’s a mentality. We’re coming ready to play. We get together, we talk about what we need to talk about, coach draws up the plays and the assignment and we get right to work. As soon as the one minute and 30 [seconds] starts, we’re going to be on the court and ready to play.”"

It is quite a unique sight but there is no faulting the Cavaliers reasoning behind it. The huddle displays a few things. It emphasizes the professionalism and all-business approach Cleveland is playing by this season. It accentuates how one player isn’t bigger then the team. The huddle shows unity and it displays how Cleveland’s focus is solely on the game at hand and nothing else.

The huddle may even be a little bit of a sign that Coach David Blatt has more control over the team. Now, to be fair, the idea was James’, as he approached his teammates about it last week. Although, the visual of all 15 players listening and focusing on what Blatt is saying while their names are being blasted around the Q is quite the sight. Blatt’s control over the team has been a topic of discussion ever since he got the job but this is yet another example of how even Blatt is more comfortable in his role this season with the team.

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Compare this Cavs team with the ones from LeBron’s first stint in Cleveland.

On those past editions of the Cavaliers, the team took the pre-game introductions further then anyone else. From dances, to playing fake bowling or posing for an air camera, the childish actions that Cleveland displayed were often taken as a sign of disrespect from the opposition.

Now, what is more professional and which one of those sends a message to the opponent. This:

Or this:

It is pretty obvious. Gone are the days of playful actions before the game from LeBron and Co. This edition of the Cavaliers is more professional and a taking a more business-like approach to the game and it shows in their ditching of the pre-game player introductions.

What do you think about the Cavs new pregame ritual?