Some random thoughts about the Wine and Gold scrimmage...LeBron was honored by the city of Akron for his gold medal and given the key to city. He joked that he knows the city so well, he doesn't need a key, because he knows just about every door anyway. LeBron has worked closely with Mike Brown to monitor his contact in camp, enabling him to pace himself, and that included the scrimmage. It just makes sense with him coming off the Olympics. We did get a sneak peak at the "push it" mindset highlighted when LeBron took a fast break Daniel Gibson bounce toss off the glass as the trailer - King James soared in to smash it. Just the thought of #23 filling lanes with the guards has to be a scary vision for defenses trying to get back...
 
As Mike said, his team will never be the Phoenix Suns running attack, but the idea is to push the ball up the floor to get some early opportunities and with Mo Williams now on the scene, joining Daniel and Delonte in the backcourt, the potential is there to do that more often. Today, for example, the two teams combined for 16 points on breaks and early offense, which is 20 percent of the total points scored...
 
Ben Wallace says he feels really good, and showed it, running the floor for a dunk. Mo showed a little bit of everything in his game, including a floater in the lane, and a late 3-pointer to beat the 3rd quarter buzzer. He has a knack for that...and he also threw an alley-oop to Anderson Verejao, which Andy converted...Lorenzen Wright showed a nice low post game, with 3 of his hoops coming on the block...Plus, rookie, JJ Hickson showed his athleticism with a block, and a pair of dunks, including a high handoff above the rim from Vernon Hamilton...
 
Hope to see you Tuesday night at The Q...

I'm going to add another word to camp besides the aforementioned focus...

ENERGY!

It's been all over the practice court with every drill and every 5 on 5...

Mike Brown mentioned on his radio show about teaching the basics from square one. They become reminders for the vets, and here's how we do it for the newcomers - an example is verbal communication on the floor...Mike stopped practice last night, and praised newcomer Tarence Kinsey for talking to his teammates during a fast break drill...doing it the right way. Mike then led a team applause for the man they call "TK".

What I like is the defense is always rewarded in scrimmages...again, it's what this team is about. Last night, Jawad Williams made a strong move on the left side of the hole, and rose up to hammer it...in the blink of an eye, and I mean a blink, JJ Hickson rose up to block it - a Ben Wallace type of deletion..

It's one of the reasons why JJ will get some playing time as he learns..he has what no one can teach, sheer athleticism...

A good sign going into this year is Boobie Gibson has gotten stronger. Two nights ago he absorbed a fearful collision with Wally Szczerbiak, all 245 pounds...it was actually a foul by Boobie because he was in the restricted area, but Daniel  bounced right up, like he didn't feel a thing...

Hope to see you at the Wine and Gold scrimmage this Saturday.

 Danny and Mike often refer to the term, corporate knowledge for the Cavs.

It's an entire thread that runs through this organization, a bedrock if you will...and this camp has been all about attention to that detail.

I mean the most intricate details you could imagine on every single drill...heck, every single step and body angle...nothing is left uncovered.

For the returnees, it's reinforcement of that corporate knowledge.  For the new guys, it's a seamless way to get swept right along...pretty impressive to watch frankly.

On the floor LeBron and Z embody this, as the unquestioned leaders because of their knowledge of the corporate knowledge if you will.  Ben's right there too even though it's his first camp in Cleveland...that championship pedigree helps his quick learning curve.

The slogan at the end of practice last season was always "1-2-3 work hard." Now it's "1-2-3 work hard, 4-5-6 championship." Stay tuned!!

Hope to see you Saturday at the Wine and Gold Scrimmage in Akron.

Day 1 of camp is in the books. Focus would be my overall word for the practice sessions...from Mike Brown and his staff's attention to detail to his guys all buying in - all on the same page. Yes, I know, all teams feel that way at this point, but things have been ratcheted up if you will and you can just feel it...

Plenty of attention was paid to defense as you might suspect...at one point during an intense drill, Mike yelled over to his first round draft pick, "J.J. this is who we are, right here"...

LeBron has a 2nd practice jersey - he's always had #23 - now he has one with #6 on it. No doubt, wanting to keep that gold medal karma going...

This guy personifies that focus I mentioned about. I heard it in his voice yesterday...you will too if you listen to his interview with Austin and I on cavs.com. Pretty captivating if you ask me...

At the end of practice, time is always spent working on free throws. J.J. Hickson stepped to one of the foul lines first, but LBJ and some of the veterans had to remind him, he's a rookie, which meant...end of the line!

Speaking of FT's, this team now has 4 guys in the rotation that shot over 80% from the line, with the addition of Mo Williams...

More tomorrow...

The newest Cavs are in town...first round pick, J.J. Hickson, who held up a jersey number 21, (Campy Russell's old digit)...and 2nd rounder, Darnell Jackson, who showed off a double zero uniform.

Both guys could not be more anxious to be here. Hickson, only 19 years-old, brought his very proud grandmother with him.

Assistant, GM, Chris Grant, who spearheads the draft, remembers asking J.J. when he came in for a workout, who he would have live with him once he turns pro, which is very important for any young player living away from home with a sudden income. J.J. responded "my grandmother". Chris knew right then, the teen from N.C. State was well grounded. J.J.'s grandma is very young and hip by the way...she was beaming from ear to ear.

Hickson played at the same high school in Marietta, Georgia, as Shariff Abdur-Rahim, and has a low-post game, which Shariff came into the NBA with as well...must be part of the Wheeler High curriculum.

Don't fall asleep on Jackson, who is a senior with presence, especially after winning a championship with Kansas a couple of months ago.

Darnell is one of those hungry, hard-nosed players who has a relentless motor. Chris Grant says Darnell reminds him of Grant Long, who had a long, solid career as a 2nd rounder out of the MAC. You may recall Long started out with the Heat and then played with the Hawks and Pistons doing it with hard work and strong will.

Sasha Kaun, the Cavs other 2nd rounder out of Kansas is under contract with the same team in Russia that is coached by Ettore Messina, whom Mike Brown spent time with last summer. Small basketball world!

Drafts can not be measured until years to come...so, enjoy watching these guys develop. It's up to these new Cavaliers now to work to find their NBA niche. Only time will tell if they are the right fit. But know that the tireless homework has been done to make sure these guys fit the Wine & Gold.