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Now that the Wine & Gold have signed Pete to a 10-day contract, can we officially name the Nances as the first family of Cavaliers basketball?

On Thursday afternoon, the 23-year-old forward from Akron was given the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his father and brother – while blazing a trail of his own – when Cleveland inked Pete Nance to the 10-day deal. After spending the first six games with the G-League’s Charge to start the season, he’ll join the red-hot Cavaliers – who’ve won six straight and 11 of the last 14 – as they embark on four-game roadie beginning on Friday night in Atlanta.

Following practice and before the squad departed for the ATL on Friday, Nance was all smiles.

“I mean, it's amazing,” beamed the 6-10, 225-pound Nance. “Obviously, I'm from right down the road, grew up a lifelong Cavs fan. And so, to be able to be in practice and just be around the team and be around these guys, obviously it's a dream come true. It’s something I've thought about my whole life for sure, so it's just a really awesome moment.”

As warm a moment as the signing of Nance is, it’s by no means a ceremonial deal. The former Revere standout has worked his way onto the NBA stage – culminating an outstanding run with the Charge last Wednesday night when he posted the team’s first triple-double in two years, going off 27 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in a win over the Mad Ants in Indiana.

On the night, Nance went 9-for-15 from the floor, including 5-of-10 from long-range, and didn’t commit a single turnover in 40 minutes of work.

After a five-year collegiate career that began with Northwestern and ended with a single season at North Carolina, Nance went undrafted this past June, eventually signing with the Charge, and after spending Summer League and Training Camp here in Cleveland, the coaching staff is very familiar with him.

“He's one of those guys that ask the right questions,” praised Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “He's one of those guys that you only have to tell one time. He pays attention, he watches, he locks in, and then again, he puts the work in.

“And then as a basketball player, you see how versatile he is and all the things that he's capable of. He can rebound the basketball, he can pass, he can score. He defends multiple positions. And that's what the league is about now – those Swiss Army knives at that size with that athleticism. But again, you give people what they earn – and he's been rewarded because he earned it.”

Nance talked about his familiarity with the squad and staff, as well. “During Training Camp, I was able to build a relationship with majority of the guys and a lot of the staff, so that definitely helps kind of having a foot in the door that way.”

After a stellar prep career at Revere – earning Ohio Division II Player of the Year honors in 2018 – Nance committed to Northwestern, where he steadily improved over the course of his four-year career, averaging 14.6ppg as a senior. After testing the waters of the 2022 Draft, Nance returned to college, transferring to Chapel Hill for his fifth season.

And after his brief run with the Charge, he’ll have a chance to make a dent at the NBA level.

“I think just being around the guys talking to them, learning as much as I can,” Nance said, explaining his goals for the 10-day stay. “Obviously, this is the highest level of basketball in the world, so just soaking everything up and learning as much as I can and just putting my best foot forward and working as hard as I can. Basically, just doing whatever I can do to make a good impression.”

Nance was surprised with the good news in the locker room by Charge Head Coach Mike Gerrity following Tuesday night’s win in Westchester.

His reaction when he got news of the call-up?

“I think, just honestly, I felt really good,” said Nance. “I've been working really, really hard just to become as good as I can be in the G and developing myself. And I think that this is a great step in the right direction for me. So, the hard work is paying off, but it's definitely a lot of motivation to keep working.”

In six games with the Charge this year, Nance is averaging 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per. Because he’s a Nance, he understands the importance of defense among the skills he’s been polishing in the G-League.

“I think defensively, I think there's just a real focus,” said Nance. “It’s really important at this level. If you can't defend then you can't play – so that's been being able to guard multiple positions and protect the rim. But also, my shooting ability. I think I was able to shoot before, but I think really locking in on that and obviously knowing that that's something that I'm going to need at this level, too. I’ve been working really hard and I think it's really coming.”

Now, Nance joins the NBA squad, with the Cavaliers looking to continue their winning ways over a four-game road trip – with stops in Atlanta, Orlando and a pair in Milwaukee on the slate.

“(I’m) super-excited, definitely just to continue to build that relationship with (the team), but also just see how these guys operate,” he explained. “Obviously, this is the highest level of basketball in the world, and a team that's playing as well as anybody in the NBA. So, watching how these guys prepare and really lock in for games is going to be really cool for me to watch and experience and learn from.”

Pete Nance’s enthusiasm and eagerness over his NBA opportunity isn’t lost on his head coach. J.B. Bickerstaff knew exactly how big the moment is for the youngster as his lifelong dreams begin to take shape.

“It's awesome,” beamed Bickerstaff. “I mean, part of what we do is about making dreams come true. And anytime a guy gets the opportunity to be in the NBA, it's a dream come true. Obviously, his circumstances here with his brother being here and obviously his father being here, it's even more unique and special – so you can't be happier for him.

“It's a guy who's worked his tail off to get here. And just to be a part of that is special for all of us.”

CLEVELAND — They were always going to get here, at least that was the plan. The injuries just expedited the process. The frenetic 3-point shooting, the pace-and-space style so many other teams around the league model, the Cavs wanted to play that way, too.

It’s why they signed Max Strus and Georges Niang last summer. It’s why Sam Merrill and Craig Porter, Jr. are getting their chances.

A new kitchen isn’t remodeled in a day and neither is an NBA roster. The Cavs had regular-season success last year playing bully ball but it also exposed their deepest deficiencies. The only chance to make a run in the postseason was to find more shooting. Losing Darius Garland and particularly Evan Mobley just made everyone tape and mud the drywall around here a little faster.

That was evident again Wednesday in a 135-95 thrashing of the Milwaukee Bucks that was never even that close. The Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo and played like a team that would rather be anywhere but Cleveland on a frigid winter night. The Cavs took full advantage.

What this team has done without Garland and Mobley is stunning. If Kevin Stefanski is a wizard for getting the Browns to the postseason without Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb and all the other guys who were out injured, Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff has matched him in creativity for dragging the Cavs up to fourth in the East without two key weapons for the last month.

The Cavs’ .786 winning percentage since the two stars went down is tops in the NBA. Their net rating of plus-10.5 is third-best behind only the Celtics and Pelicans.

In fairness, they’ve taken advantage of some bad teams in this stretch and caught a few breaks, such as playing the Bucks without Antetokounmpo. But they can only play the schedule that’s in front of them.

The real question is whether this style of play translates when the roster is fully healthy and, ultimately, whether the Cavs can play this way in the postseason?

“I believe we have to, to be honest with you,” Bickerstaff said. “This is lessons learned from the playoff experience and where we were aiming to get to.”

The Cavs have managed just 11 games with their projected starting lineup intact, a number that hasn’t budged in weeks. And while Garland recently had the wiring removed from his broken jaw, he still appears to be weeks away from returning. He lost some weight as a result of his liquid diet and is nowhere near game shape. Mobley continues to rehab from knee surgery.

The disjointed lineups slowed any sort of progress they could make on changing their style of play. But Garland and Mobley going down forced them to break the glass and pull the lever on the fire alarm. Start jacking 3s and see where they land.

The Cavs lead the league in 3-point attempts per game since the Garland and Mobley injuries. They’re second in made 3s. They’re sixth in assists since Dec. 16, the day after Garland and Mobley were ruled out. They were 25th in the league before those injuries.

“The year just started out so jumbled for us,” Bickerstaff said. “We had so many guys that were in and out and that were missing, and this was going to be a change stylistically, so it was going to take us a little bit of time. You add key players, Max and those guys, Sam, Georges, new guys to the team, and they’re trying to figure out where they fit and then we’re changing some of the things that we’ve done systematically.

“So the guys who have been here are trying to figure out how they fit and then you don’t get a lot of reps of it because of the injuries. But we want to be a movement team. We want to be more difficult to guard. We know we have elite one-on-one creators in Donovan and Darius and those guys. So if it gets bogged down, we can go there, but we want teams to have to chase us. I think again, it just took a little bit of time for it all to come together. I don’t expect it to change.”

The looming question that we just don’t have an answer to yet is if the Cavs can successfully play this way when the roster is healthy. No one is suggesting the Cavs are better without Garland and/or Mobley. But it’s indisputable the ball movement has been better in this stretch without Garland — the assist numbers prove it. So how do they maintain this level of ball movement when Garland returns?

Similarly, how do they continue to have success offensively with two non-shooting bigs on the floor? A big part of why this is working so well is the one in, four out style of Jarrett Allen in the middle and four shooters around him.

Niang set a career-high Wednesday with 31 points, the first 30-point game of his career. Merrill’s terrific shooting has carved out a role that didn’t previously exist. If he continues to shoot it this way, it will be hard to get him off the floor regardless of who else is around him.

Allen looks like an All-Star again playing with all of these shooters. He’s averaging 18.3 points and 13.1 rebounds in the 14 games without Mobley and he’s now registered double-doubles in 10 straight games, one shy of the club record. A big reason the Cavs struggled in the playoffs last year was the lack of shooting and court spacing.

Placing Mobley and Allen next to each other on offense again when Mobley has yet to develop as any sort of perimeter threat will make driving lanes difficult again.

There is a thought that what Mobley and Allen provide defensively is enough to offset whatever deficiency they create on offense. The playmaking of Mitchell and Garland can cover quite a bit, particularly when combined with a competent shooter on the wing.

But this stretch, regardless of the level of competition, is important to remember when everyone returns healthy. This is how it can look when the ball is moving and shooters surround the floor.

“Obviously when Evan and Darius come back, it’s going to be a little bit of an adjustment period,” Bickerstaff said. “Minutes, rotations, all those things that we expect. But we don’t expect this to have to change.”

Their postseason fate might depend on it.

(Photo of Donovan Mitchell: Jason Miller / Getty Images)

Buildings and Food, the hospitality group led by Will Hollingsworth, has made its newest acquisition: Griffin Cider House and Gin Bar (12401 Madison Ave.) in Lakewood. The British-themed pub was opened by Richard Read in 2015. Its last day of operation will be January 31st.

“I’m somewhat emotional but also excited to announce that Griffin will be closing, having sold to Buildings and Food," Read explains. "It has been a pleasure to serve the Cleveland community these eight and a half years. Griffin came a long way through the hard work of not one but many people whom I got to call ‘team Griffin.’”

For this west-side space, Hollingsworth and his partners are conjuring up a new concept.

“We’re excited to become a part of the Birdtown community as it grows, and we think we have a concept that will fit really well into the fabric of the neighborhood," says Hollingsworth. "I want to do something pretty insane there — unlike anything anyone's seen. More than anything though, my whole team and I are excited to be next-door neighbors to our dear friends and colleagues at LBM, who have always treated us with so much kindness and generosity of spirit.”

As for an opening date, all Hollingsworth can say is "sometime this year."

For Read, who was an early and enthusiastic champion of cider and gin, it's a bittersweet time.

"We hope to have one heck of a finale, so expect a party to remember," he pledges. "And please, don’t forget to tip your bartender!”

This latest addition brings the Buildings and Food portfolio up to five, with holdings that include Prosperity Social Club and La Cave du Vin in Tremont, Good Company in Battery Park, and Old 86 in Detroit Shoreway. The former Spotted Owl in Akron is currently being rebuilt as a second Good Company. B&F also operates Peristyle Coffee.

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Buildings and Food, the hospitality group led by Will Hollingsworth, has made its newest acquisition: Griffin Cider House and Gin Bar (12401 Madison Ave.) in Lakewood. The British-themed pub was opened by Richard Read in 2015. Its last day of operation will be January 31st.

“I’m somewhat emotional but also excited to announce that Griffin will be closing, having sold to Buildings and Food," Read explains. "It has been a pleasure to serve the Cleveland community these eight and a half years. Griffin came a long way through the hard work of not one but many people whom I got to call ‘team Griffin.’”

For this west-side space, Hollingsworth and his partners are conjuring up a new concept.

“We’re excited to become a part of the Birdtown community as it grows, and we think we have a concept that will fit really well into the fabric of the neighborhood," says Hollingsworth. "I want to do something pretty insane there — unlike anything anyone's seen. More than anything though, my whole team and I are excited to be next-door neighbors to our dear friends and colleagues at LBM, who have always treated us with so much kindness and generosity of spirit.”

As for an opening date, all Hollingsworth can say is "sometime this year."

For Read, who was an early and enthusiastic champion of cider and gin, it's a bittersweet time.

"We hope to have one heck of a finale, so expect a party to remember," he pledges. "And please, don’t forget to tip your bartender!”

This latest addition brings the Buildings and Food portfolio up to five, with holdings that include Prosperity Social Club and La Cave du Vin in Tremont, Good Company in Battery Park, and Old 86 in Detroit Shoreway. The former Spotted Owl in Akron is currently being rebuilt as a second Good Company. B&F also operates Peristyle Coffee.

Subscribe to Cleveland Scene newsletters. Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns began trying to fill an unexpected vacancy on Thursday by interviewing Seattle offensive line coach Andy Dickerson to be their offensive coordinator.

Dickerson previously worked in Cleveland on coach Eric Mangini’s staff in 2009-10.

On Wednesday, coordinator Alex Van Pelt parted ways with the Browns after four seasons working under coach Kevin Stefanski. Van Pelt’s departure was surprising since he appeared to enjoy his time in Cleveland and was instrumental in helping the Browns make the playoffs while coping with numerous injuries on offense.

It’s still not known why Van Pelt left. General manager Andrew Berry is scheduled to hold a postseason news conference next week.

Van Pelt’s exit wasn’t the only one as Stefanski fired running backs coach Stump Mitchell and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney wasn’t retained after his contract expired.

Dickerson has spent the past three seasons in Seattle working with coach Pete Carroll, who was removed as coach after 14 seasons. Dickerson was initially the Seahawks’ run game coordinator before shifting to the offensive line.

Before he was with Seattle, Dickerson spent nine seasons as an assistant line coach with the Rams. He also worked for the New York Jets after beginning his NFL career as an intern with New England.

A day after his firing, Mitchell, who spent four seasons with Cleveland, released a statement in which he thanked Cleveland owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam and former Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, who first hired him with the Browns.

Mitchell was retained by Stefanski in 2020 and by all measures seemed to do a good job with Cleveland’s backs. Nick Chubb developed into one of the league’s best running backs under Mitchell’s guidance.

“I want to express my sincere thanks to the players and running backs who donned the Browns helmet, giving their all to achieve success on Game Day,” Mitchell wrote. “I devoted my efforts to maximize your hard work and talent, and it has been a rewarding journey.”

The Browns have spoken with former NFL running back Duce Staley about replacing Mitchell.

Staley most recently worked with Carolina under Frank Reich before being fired in November. Staley has also worked for the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, where he was on the same staff as Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

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