Darius Garland and the Cavs Stop in Nashville

“To get some sun, get some good weather, show that guys what Nashville's all about,” said Garland after practice on Thursday. “Have some great dinners, just some quality time together, camaraderie time, and we had a good day of practice today at the old alma mater, so happy they came. They got to see the new facility and our football field as well. So, it's been cool.”

When an off day comes around on an NBA team’s calendar, the most is always made of them.

When there is a two-day break? That is something a bit rarer in the 82-game schedule.

In the past three weeks, the Cavs have had two two-day breaks, and the most has been made of both.

At the end of February, an extra day was spent in the sun in Orlando after topping the Magic by 40 points.

This past week, the pause of games was spent in the mid-south in Nashville, just a quick 40-minute flight from last Friday’s opponent in Memphis.

For Darius Garland, this break meant an opportunity to spend a day or two at home and in some familiar territory.

Although Vanderbilt is 12 miles from when Garland went to high school in Brentwood, Tennessee, this trip was not solely his idea.

“I mean, Koby [Altman] really likes Nashville, so he really did all the hard thinking. I just gave him an idea, just coming to Nashville before we went to Memphis. I've been begging him for a little bit now. It's super cool to finally get down here and show the guys a good time,” said the two-time All-Star.

With an off day on Broadway on Wednesday and some non-basketball activities to start practice on Thursday, the vibes were high in Music City. 

After film and walkthrough (and singing Happy Birthday to Tristan Thompson), the Wine & Gold took advantage of the sun and 70-degree temperatures, getting in a pre-basketball practice football game, players vs coaches style.

The team building aspect of trips like this – even if only a few day’s worth – is important to DG and the rest of the Cavs. Having this little trip at this point in the season is beneficial timing, as well.

“It's cool to just get some sun, get some new scenery, get some new little vibes. So, it was very important for us just to get new scenery. It's pretty cold in Cleveland right now,” laughed Garland. “So finally some sun, some warm weather. Had to get outside a little bit, walk around, so that's always good.”

It is the second time this season that the Wine & Gold have gone offsite, away from Cleveland Clinic Courts and Rocket Arena, to spend time together.

In the early-fall, training camp was held at IMG Academy in Sarasota, Florida for a full week. That was a strong introduction to first year Head Coach Kenny Atkinson, his staff, and new style of basketball.

“I think if you want to be a really good team and want to have really big goals, you have to come together in the summertime and just get that camaraderie started just a little bit early,” said Garland at the Huber Center, the Vanderbilt men’s basketball new training facility.

“That's what we're trying to do here with the culture and show that we always locked in. Everybody likes each other. Everybody messes with each other on and off the floor, so it's pretty easy to get everybody else to come together.”

With now 14 games left in the regular season, that week in the calendar in mid-March could be pointed to as important once we get into the spring. And some of the thanks would be given to the franchise point guard.