Larry at the Point

Larry Hughes' return to the point may not be his first choice, but it may be what the Cavs need most...Even when Larry is not scoring, as he is still searching for his stroke, he makes sound decisions with the ball...A year ago when the Cavs made the switch of Larry to the point, the team went 29-11 from the beginning of March through the Eastern Conference Finals until he could no longer go with that sore heel...He admits the team appears to find a comfort zone when his hands are at the wheel.

This again becomes the tallest starting five in the NBA, averaging 6-7...And the biggest impact comes at the defensive end, with length...Perhaps the switch will enable this team to rediscover it's defensive identity...Over those 40 games I spoke of last spring, the Cavs allowed just 90 points a game.

See you Saturday night from New Orleans on FSN Ohio.

Trouble in NY

In a town famous for theater we'll have some more tonight at the Garden in NYC. Chants of "Fire Isiah" have become popular as the heat is really, really on the Knicks and it's sad to see because Isiah is truly one of the greatest competitors I have ever watched play. Unfortunately now, every button he pushes seems to be the wrong one.

Isiah used to say as a player, the New York basketball fan was the most knowledgeable in the league. Now, he has to coach and try and block out the masses when things go wrong.

After the most recent home blowout loss to the Pacers on Monday night, Thomas questioned among many things, his team's heart. That can go either way when you play that card - either the Knicks come out fighting against the Cavs to prove him wrong, or they bail on him.

The Cavs can't get caught up in any of this and just go about their business and put it to them early. This is where Damon Jones had a field day 13 months ago, raining 3's on the Knickerbockers en route to 27 points.

Certainly no time to feel sorry for what has happened in the "Mecca of basketball".

See you on FSN Ohio...

DJ Goes Live

Damon Jones will go on national TV at NBA Entertainment when the Cavs arrive in New York where he'll join Ahmad Rashad in studio. First of all, know that DJ will be nattily attired, that's a given, and he'll be on meaning they have not made a camera the Cavs guard doesn't sparkle in front of. Oh yeah, by the way, it's live.

There will be some lifestyle conversation and of course Wine and Gold Talk. DJ says he'd always be open to doing TV once his playing days are over, but he's not thinking that far ahead. He still enjoys playing too much to think about the NBA after life.

Damon sees the game so well, I've wondered if he might consider coaching some day instead. He said...ooh..."Too many personalities there." Takes a personality to spot them and that's partly why he'd be good.

Check him out Tuesday on NBA-TV 7:30, prior to the Bulls-Lakers game.

Gibson is a "Go"

Looks like a go for Daniel Gibson tonight, coming off the wisdom tooth removal..he got tired of food through a straw. The first regular meal he chowed? Burger and fries...he said he had to cut it into small bites, but the "best burger I've ever had."

LeBron vs. Richard Jefferson will be fun to watch...that's the NBA's #1 scorer against #6. Both are top-3 in getting to the line...so staying out of foul trouble will be a severe challenge for both.

See you tonight at 7:30 p.m. on Cavaliers Live on FSN Ohio.

Payback in Jersey

It's on to NJ for a little payback and the guys aren't talking that way, but good teams usually respond well against a team when they lose to them the prior meeting. The Cavs were 13-5 in those bounce back games a season ago.

Boobie Gibson has made a quick recovery from getting his wisdom tooth pulled. The smile is back, and so is his ability to speak. LeBron asked him to open wide to check out the aftermath and that's what a captain is there for.

The guys got after it pretty good in the scrimmage portion of practice, including a mid air collision between LB, on the drive, and the help out by Anderson....it was called a blocking foul, much to Andy's dismay.

Play of the session was a Larry Hughes' high hand off to Shannon Brown in the half court set in which Shannon caught it with the left hand above the cup and threw it down.

Whew!!!

See you Cavaliers Live on FSN..

Piecing the Puzzle Back Together

The Cavaliers get another piece back tonight as Anderson Varejao work visa and all is ready to go, though he's not sure how many minutes he will get, and I'm sure Mike Brown isn't certain yet either.

Andy's mega watt smile is back and you'll notice his hair is a little lighter (from the Brazilian sun). He hopes you'll notice a better jump shot which he worked on this off season. Andy also says he worked on his jump hook.

He said most of his work was done solo because he didn't want to risk injury, but he says he is excited and feels like he is in good shape.

I'm intrigued to see how officials call the block/charge involving Anderson - the emphasis has not been to do away with "Flopping" but rather reward the offensive quickness in basically the case of a tie when the defender is there on contact.

Andy says he won't change the way he plays, and frankly, he shouldn't. He has very quick feet and very good anticipation. He adds, "I'm not a flopper, people can say what they want. I try to get into good position"

It will be good to have "Wild Thing" back...

See you tonight on Cavaliers Live at 6:30 on FSN.

Hitting the Practice Courts

A novel concept for the Cavs, two practices in a row. That's right TWO - first time in nearly a month with both including contact scrimmages with LeBron able to take part, with protective padding on his left hand. He took some shots to it yesterday and today. He is still not certain if he will go tomorrow night against the Pacers. He says it is still soar, but he's getting used to wearing the protective device. LB says timing and conditioning will not be a problem once he does return.

LeBron added the soar knuckle probably won't feel 100% until he has the summer off, and in the next breath added, in '09...that got a laugh. He'll be in Bejing next summer of course competing for Olympic gold.

Daniel Gibson did not practice and did little talking. He has an impacted wisdom tooth and he's doubtful for tomorrow night. Anderson Varejao is in Canada going through the process of getting his work visa. Andy will play as long as he has the proper paper work.

See you on Cavaliers Live tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. on FSN Ohio.

Runnin' in Charlotte

Just a 24 hour respite, but it was great to get outside today and smell the summer air in December since it is 70 degrees in Charlotte. Austin Carr wishes he had brought his clubs. I would have borrowed his, but he swings from the wrong side(left handed as you may know).

The Charlotte marathon course ran right in front of the team hotel so, Damon Jones joined the runners (for a couple hundred feet) which cracked up everyone. DJ was ready to soak up the marathon glory.

If we see Larry Hughes tonight, it will mark a return in 3 and a half weeks, ahead of the 4-6 week prognosis, as he has recovered from the deep bone bruise...just having one of the regulars back will provide a boost.

Not only do the Cavaliers have the most games lost due to injury in the league, but when you add in the games Andy and Sasha have missed due to contract negotiations, the number is off the charts.

Plus, according to teamrankings.com, the Cavs have played the most difficult schedule in the NBA and with tonight's game, the Cavs will equal Orlando with 13 - the most road games played.

The point is, the recent slide has a cause and effect...no excuses...and no one on this team is using any, but the reality is, it's almost been a perfect storm scenario for the Cavaliers with the above factors. The good thing is, it's early December, with plenty of time to recoup the losses.

See you tonight at 6:30 p.m. on FSN Ohio HD.

LeBron Update From Practice

LeBron has broken his silence on his left finger, clarifying, it's more the knuckle where the pain bothers him. Yes, if this was late in the season or playoff time he'd be out there...he's taking his time, being careful...he also knows home court advantage in a series can be regained in 48:00...and the way he's played, I'd put nothing past him.

I loved the line he said: "Teams better get their wins against us now. They're trying to kill us and talk trash about us now because we have guys out. When we get our guys back, it’s going to be a different story."

That's bravado LeBron may have been hesitant to articulate in the past. This again shows a determination to lead AND...back it up.

See you tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. on FSN Ohio from Charlotte.

A Homecoming for Demetris

We're in Boston, where the wind chill feels like it's 20 below zero. Everyone was shivering except the newest Cavalier, Demetris Nichols...the rookie forward is from Boston and went to school at Syracuse...you know winters don't bother this guy.

This is the first time Demetris is home in Beantown since he became an NBA player...so, he knows he has to buy some tickets. Demetris actually attended a private school about 45 minutes away in Rhode Island...sorry, Tribe fans, he is a lifetime Red Sox fan.

Demetris' favorite all time Boston athlete was the late Reggie Lewis, who died of a heart ailment, 14 years ago, when Demetris was just 8 years old. He says Reggie's passing hurt him...he couldn't understand why he left us so soon. He thinks Reggie would have become a Hall of Famer.

Demetris didn't even think of playing for the Celtics or any NBA team until college. He admits he was sort of an average high school player, but once he chose the 'Cuse over Villanova, his career began to take off under Jim Boeheim...and after leading the Big East in scoring last season, here he is...in the NBA. Now, he wants to beat his hometown team....afterall...it's just business.