Oh, Canada.

Hello from Toronto. I know you are all wondering if LeBron will play tonight, so am I! It literally will not be decided until game time and he is in good spirits so we will see...

On shoot around days the guys have shooting games, which they are serious, with a touch of trash talking mixed in. The ring leader is of course Damon and he is hilarious just like today, shooting an elbow 3 only turning around and bowing before it went in. He knew it was good when it left his hand, "heck yeah,” he yelled...

I'm sitting here on the 12th floor of my hotel writing this and a window cleaner is outside. Yes, in 25 degree weather with a howling wind. He's tethered by a rope and suction cups on the window. THEY COULDN'T PAY ME ENOUGH FOR THAT JOB!!!! It's hard to concentrate on the blog when a guy is peering in over your shoulder from 12 stories above...

See you tonight from the floor level (where I feel safer)...

Gibson Explains First Ejection

As we await the arrival of the Celtics, Daniel Gibson had to explain what happened in Indianapolis with his rare ejection as Boobie couldn't remember the last time he was given the thumb. The loose ball foul call on him with Jeff Foster was not a good one, since Foster had hooked him, but it was Daniel's 6th personal of the game. What got him ejected from the bench was throwing his mouthpiece to the floor and that is an automatic good bye. Boobie thought since the mouthpiece stayed on the court he was OK...Nope.

LeBron joked if Boobie had a clear mouthpiece like he has, the referee might not have seen the bouncing protector, but since the mouthpiece is red and white, it's easy to see rolling on the floor.

I asked Daniel what Mom and Dad will say, he said, "I don't know...my one cell phone is dead and the battery on the second is very low, so by the time I get home, it will be gone too."

My guess is he might have a voice mail waiting for him...Mom's usually get in the final word.

It's on to Indianapolis

It's on to Indianapolis, home of Oscar Robertson, and right now LeBron James is playing like the Big O.

Over the last 5 games, LeBron is averaging 39 points 10 boards and 9 assists...it's the best 5 game stretch in 47 years of the NBA when Oscar averaged 40 points 11 boards and 10 assists.

Mike Brown says LBJ is making it look easy, and he's right, because the gaudy numbers are all coming within the flow of the game...he's not forcing anything.

LeBron says it's not as easy as it looks, but he admits he spent this past summer dedicating himself to being the best player in the league...and right now he is.

AC put it best on the telecast...it's like LeBron is back in high school again when he always knew he was the best player on the floor.

He knows it again...and is letting his play do all his talking.

LeBron's Masterpiece Against Utah

I hope you had a chance to see LeBron's masterpiece against Utah. He proudly sat at his locker stall before the rest of the reporters came in. He smiled and said
“just when you think you've seen it all from me, I fool you guys." I would say the tip pass under the bucket to an open Damon Jones was a beaut...even LeBron doesn’t remember ever doing that before. The only way to describe it, is the guy sees the game slower than mere mortals...he knew where the ball was going, but to make that snapshot decision in the air, like he was shooting a photo...few have that kind of capacity to do that...maybe Magic Johnson...even Pete Maravich before him.

But LeBron's favorite highlight was the stripping of Carlos Boozer with the game on the line...and Mike Brown has to love that, when your superstar is committed to playing defense as LBJ now is...he's capable of winning games almost by himself...and that's not intended to slight Z or Drew or anyone else, but it was a do-everything performance at both ends which is what we are now expecting. #23 has raised his own bar, and even he doesn't know where the limit is. That's what makes this so much fun to watch. We could very well be watching an MVP season in the making.

It All Ends in Denver

Final game of a one month odyssey that began on October 13th to Shanghai, China, took us all over the west coast, and eventually back home tomorrow morning...probably about 15 thousand miles, over 30 days...and a win tonight would really cap things off.

This is always a big game for Mike Brown considering this is where he got his start, and met his wife, Carolyn.

And it's always a big one for LeBron and Carmelo as they go head to head for the 8th time...'Melo leads the series, 5-2.

I love the way the Cavs are playing right now...pressuring on D...and trying to get the ball up the floor...LeBron loves it too...and that's huge.

The Nuggets are just coming off an Eastern swing that saw them play 4 games back east...beating Wash and Indy after losing to Boston and Washington...they love to run as you know, and are trying to commit to defense.

A Cavs win means their best 6-game road trip in 22 years, when the coach was...George Karl, whom they'll see tonight.

See you on Cavaliers Live at 8:30 p.m.

Not Your Normal Shootaround

Not your normal shootaround for the Cavs today...a team bus ride into the posh Bel Air hills...and to the home of an apparel exec, whose home happens to have a full sized gym attached.

I mean the full 94 feet with 6 baskets...not much smaller than the old practice court at the Coliseum...it's decked out in Lakers colors, with the half court logo, and retired jerseys on the wall, including Magic, Kareem and the like.

There are even shot clocks and a scoreboard...a basketball junkie's dream!!! I've seen it all now.

Friday Blog

This is a danger game for your Wine and Gold...a Kings team without Mike Bibby and Ron Artest...if the Cavs play as well as they have the past two games on this trip, they will take care of business...

No Larry Hughes tonight...his left leg is feeling better...he feels well enough to shoot...but running and jumping are another thing...minor detail in basketball...he left the door open to go Sunday night against the Clippers...

LeBron is averaging a triple double on the trip...the entire club was really focused this morning at shoot around...and Mike Brown likes the offensive progress, but admits there is a long way to go...once the defensive slippage is cleaned up and the true personality of this sharing offense takes hold, Mike thinks his guys will really be on to something...

See you tonight on Cavaliers Live at 10pm on FSN Ohio...

What Time Zone Are We In Now?

The ping pong ball better known as our west coast trip continues...let's see...the 4th time we've had to adjust our watches...back to the pacific time zone here in Sacramento. We arrived from Utah about 2:00 a.m. in the morning...tough finish to that game...but I liked the way the guys competed.

In fact, LeBron has been very encouraged by how this team has played. After the 2 point loss to the Jazz, I could see it in his face in the lockeroom, and hear it his voice. He knows the Cavs were in position to win all three games out here. That's saying a lot, considering all three were playoff teams a year ago. I really think the unselfish ball movement mentality is taking root. Yes, turnovers are part of the growing pains, as we saw again last night...but you will see a difference in the way this team scores as the season goes along.

The club is very shorthanded right now, but no one is using it as an excuse...and LeBron feels the team is playing better than it did a year ago at this time...and I agree. He continues to have his best start as a defender....adding he wants to become first-team all defense..9 blocks in 3 games is a start...his activity level at that end has been fantastic..

Yesterday, Deron Williams of the Jazz was quoted as saying LBJ was the center of Team USA's defense in August...he was doing most of the talking, helping everyone out. I'm sure it's carried over to the Cavs season.

Talk to you tomorrow after shoot-around...thinkin' about that Browns upset in the 'Burgh on Sunday.

It's a Chamber of Commerce Day in Salt Lake City

It's a chamber of commerce day in Salt Lake City...not a cloud in the sky, clear view of the mountains, but for the guys, this is a day of staying off their feet, with this being a back to back...we arrived about 3:00 a.m. this morning...hit the pillow and out!

We mentioned last night on the broadcast about LeBron receiving a "liquid stitch" over his left eye. Athletic trainer, Max Benton says it's almost like super glue...closing the wound, without a true suture. The fact that LeBron had a straight east to west cut above the eye made it a clean repair. LBJ did keep ice on it for a while on the flight here.

I loved the way he came back and led his team, sometimes taking on Baron Davis at the defensive end of the floor...plus, his open floor blocks from behind are ones he is starting to make routine. It takes rare athleticism and timing to do it. Tayshaun Prince is spectacular at it...and now LeBron had done it three times this season already...the plays are breathtaking and momentum changing.

Mike Brown was beaming last night talking about his team's 30 assists on 41 buckets. It's what he has been preaching since day one of camp...spacing, ball movement.

The hockey assist--the pass that leads to the pass that sets up a score...it's either a drive and kick dish or a pass off a double team...something to watch for when you tune in tonight.

See you at 10:00 p.m. for Cavaliers Live from Utah.

Back in Drew's Neighborhood

This is always a fun game for Oakland native, Drew Gooden to play...back home in front of friends and family, especially, Drew Gooden senior. The Cavs power forward is still known to his pals as "Drizzle" going back to a time when words were often conjoined with "izzle" at the end.

Drew, who was recruited by virtually every PAC-10 school, knew he needed to go out on his own, so he settled on Kansas...and it sure worked out.

Drew senior, who played ball once upon a time in Finland will be on hand tonight to watch his son. I asked our Drew if papa Drew is like him....Junior said..."times 10...he's a real character and should host his own reality show." Now we know where #90 gets his personality. Pops says he is Father-Mom right now, staying at home, taking care of the youngest Goodens...tonight however, he gets a night out to cheer on the Cavs.

See you at 10:00 p.m. on FSN Ohio and Cavaliers Live.

The City by the Bay

We've moved on to the city by the bay...we're staying in San Francisco, with the next game of course in Oakland against the Warriors. Most teams stay in "The City" as the locals refer to SF...and with good reason...it's one of the best in the world, with no shortage of great eateries.

The guys practiced today at the Warriors facility, marking the first bit of contact work for Eric Snow since his knee surgery. Eric says his recuperating left knee felt okay, but he's nowhere near game condition, but this is a step in the right direction....he won't put a timetable on his return because he doesn't feel it's fair to the rest of the guys to do that...but he is encouraged with his progress.

Larry Hughes did some light work, but says his left knee is sore...it's a bruise from getting kneed by Leandro Barbosa in the first half in Phoenix. Larry hopes to be able to go against his old team, but admits the pain affects everything he does, jumping, running, cutting...but he's also relieved it's nothing serious...so, no MRI necessary...just a healthy bruise.

LeBron met with about 15 reporters today after practice...since we only come here once a season, ala Phoenix and the rest of the stops out here, LB's responses to Saturday Night Live, his summer of '07 and other topics are still fresh. For LeBron it's the same old questions of course...but he shows great patience answering each repeated inquiry with a smile and a sincere response...this was after he went through a 40:00 shooting workout after practice.

More tomorrow with hometown guy, Drew Gooden.

Road Trip is Underway

The road trip is underway...it's90 degrees in Phoenix. The Suns will be boiling even more based on their meltdown at home against the Lakers on Friday night. The Cavs expect to get the Suns' best.

It looks like Sasha is a go for tonight, especially with Donyell's wrist sprain (which he hurt taking a charge against Dallas). Mike Brown admits Donyell being out will hurt.

Sasha went laptop shopping once we arrived...he had to leave Serbia so quickly, once he agreed to contract terms, he didn't have time to actually go home and pack...so, the first thing he had to do was wire up....now he's connected again. Sasha says he feels in good enough shape to make an impact off the bench...and he'll do it with his new look facial hair. He says he doesn't know when he will shave...but admits he really doesn't like the look.

If he nails some 3's tonight...the razor may stay in his bag.

See you tonight at 7:30 on FSN for Cavaliers Live, with the game to follow at 8:00 p.m.

Much Needed Win!

A much needed win over the Knicks...40% shooting defense in the 2nd half was a major component…that's what the Cavs do...and they can never stray far from who they are.

Obviously LeBron's 45 was the headliner...loved the way he demanded the ball on the block in the first half, which set the tone.

Daniel Gibson said his 4-point play to open the game was not by accident…he said he likes to draw contact, much like Reggie Miller made famous...in fact, Boobie says that's where he learned the ploy.

Kudos to Dwayne Jones to muscling Eddy Curry during the 4th quarter run. Dwayne tips his hat to his Dad...his off season weight lifting partner. Dwayne added some muscle during those workouts...his Dad is 6-6, 300, plus a former West Virginia football tackle, but Dwayne says Dad is a little bummed that he can't keep up with son anymore when it comes to pushing iron.

See you tomorrow night from Phoenix on FSN Ohio at 7:30 p.m.