It always impresses me how hard the Warriors play.  No matter the personnel, they never seem to give up, as the Cavs found out after their 15-point 3rd quarter lead was cut to one in the 4th quarter.  The Warriors had only seven healthy players.  All seven scored in double figures, and they almost stole the game.   

I’ve always found the style of ball that Don Nelson coaches with Golden State interesting.  And entertaining.  The focus is on offense and pushing the tempo.  Defense is seemingly a bad rumor.  It works at times, because it catches other teams off guard.  It can be tough to prepare for that style of ball when you don’t see it very often.   

Nelson played for those great Celtic teams of the 1960’s and 70’s.  Even though they played great defense, they also played a fast-paced, ball-moving offense.  Not quite what Nelson coaches with Golden State, but it’s not a reach to see where he picked up the basis of his philosophy.

It’s a short flight to Washington – only 50 minutes.  But that hasn’t stopped Coby Karl from watching another movie. Looks like “Good Morning Vietnam” with Robin Williams.  Every trip, every minute, the kid is watching a movie.  And get this – he told me he’s not a movie guy.  That when he’s home, he never watches movies.  Just something to help kill time on the flight.  The charter service has a huge collection of DVD’s, and a few DVD players.  My guess is Coby will work his way through the collection by the All-Star break.

Jamario Moon sprained his ankle in the Golden State win.  He’s not wearing a protective boot or anything noticeable, so it must be minor.  He fell asleep wearing his headphones, with an episode of “Sanford and Son” on his laptop.

Moon spent two seasons playing with the Harlem Globetrotters – along with more than a dozen minor league stops -  before making it to the NBA.  He told me playing for the Globetrotters did nothing to help improve his game, but that he really enjoyed watching the fans enjoy the Trotters.

The Cavaliers have now won 8 of their last 9 games, and 5 straight.  After the Golden State win, Daniel Gibson told me that the team is still going through a growth process, still learning how to play together.  If that doesn’t scare the rest of the NBA teams, perhaps it should.

J.J. Hickson has now set a career high in scoring in three straight games – 18 against Miami, 20 against Utah and 21 against Golden State, along with nine rebounds to tie his career high.  Moving J.J. into the starting lineup, and having him contribute at this level, has been the most pleasant surprise of the early season.  It’s as if the Cavs made a trade, bring in a power forward, because even though the Cavs had to hope Hickson would play like this, they sure couldn’t have been planning on it.  Good for J.J.  He’s a good guy, and seems to be really figuring out what it is Mike Brown wants him to do - be active both offensively and defensively, rebound, and keep mistakes to a minimum.  He’s been doing just that.

Shaquille O’Neal sat out his second straight game against Golden State with a shoulder issue.  Anderson Varejao sat out with a hip contusion.  Neither is expected to play against Washington.  Their absence wasn’t a big deal against a Golden State team that was beat up and runs like crazy.  My guess is it will be a problem against Washington.  Without Shaq and Andy, the Cavs are thin inside – with just Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Hickson and Darnell Jackson.

Jackson has added something drastic to his pregame routine on the road, and he’s recruited Coby Karl, Jawad Williams and assistant coach Bryant Moore to join him.  As part of their pregame warm up, they now run the steps in the arena.  It was a hoot in Orlando - four guys just ran off the court, and into the stands, right through the fans who were already getting into their seats.  The fans looked stunned – NBA players in the stands shortly before game time.  Darnell told me he wants to challenge himself, so he’ll run the steps even if he’s playing regularly, or played 10 pickup games earlier in the day.  I can’t wait to see them do it again, if only to watch the amazed expressions on the faces of the fans.

See you tonight on FSO HD...

On the way to Orlando for a rematch of last years' Eastern Conference Finals.......

A lot of folks have been looking forward to this game for some time.  I may be mistaken, but I don't think the Cavaliers are in that group.  It just happens to be the next game on the schedule.  They're still in the "we're working on things, trying to get in sync, getting adjusted to new players, figuring out which combinations work best" mode.  They can do that for a bit longer, but eventually the Cavs need to get into the "let's start winning games and playing good, consistent basketball every night" mode.  Sooner rather than later, there needs to be a sense of urgency with this team and this season, and of course, there will be.

With Shaquille O'Neal, Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon all being veteran, intelligent basketball players, and with them joining a team that's smart and talented, I can't imagine that the Cavs will be in this transition period for long.  I have to think that by the end of November, the team will be good to go.  Doesn't mean that there won't still be a few moments here and there - a slump or two and a few short losing streaks.  Happens to almost every team, every year.  But the Cavaliers have too much talent to play around .500 for too much longer.  I hope.

Got to see my best childhood buddy and his wife in Orlando today.  They came over from the Tampa area for lunch.  My three children are all under the age of 10.  Paul's oldest daughter is in her 20's and just married a guy named Jeff (had to be the name).  His youngest daughter is in college.  Paul married at 22.  I married at 39.  Despite the recent success of the Tampa Bay Rays, my buddy and his daughters are Cleveland Indians fans.  His oldest and her new hubby are getting  Indians jackets from the Phelps Family as a wedding gift.

While we're on the subject of gifts, all of the Cavaliers have very cool looking red headphones with Cavalier logos attached, a present from LeBron James.  Four of the five players sitting directly in front of me were wearing them today.  They don't look like cheapies.

Usually a trip to Florida brings with it the joy of warmth.  Not a big deal this time, with the great November weather we've had in Northeast Ohio.

As if the Cavaliers' team plane isn't already loaded with plenty of tasty food, the players had pizza and chicken delivered before takeoff.

There was a lot of talk around the NBA about the Cavaliers offseason moves.  Not quite as much about Orlando's major changes.  Losing Hedo Turkoglu to Toronto, in my opinion, is a huge loss.  I don't care that they've brought in Vince Carter to fill his spot.  Hedo was a perfect fit in Stan Van Gundy's offense --- big, mobile, great outside shot, terrific passer.  Although I've always liked Carter, I don't think he's as good of a fit, and injuries often seem to be an issue.  I also think sending Courtney Lee to New Jersey in the Carter deal hurts the Magic.  He's a good young shooting guard with size, and is going to be a solid pro for a long time.  And Campy Russell agrees with me!

I do really like Ryan Anderson, who came to the Magic with Carter from New Jersey.  He's a big shooting forward,  and is exactly the type of player the Cavs were hoping to add when they brought in Rob Kurz from Golden State for the preseason ---- a big guy (like Turkoglu) who can spread out the defense by hitting from the outside.  Kurz didn't make the team, but it's something I think the Cavs still need.

Austin Carr sat behind me.  What a gem.  Years ago, I was asked by the Cavaliers to host an in-arena pregame show called "Chalk Talk" that appeared live on the scoreboard.  Austin was my partner and he was pretty new to anything that resembled broadcasting. I was told to have fun with the show, and help Austin learn how to be a broadcaster in hopes that one day, he'd be ready to be a color analyst.  Needless to say, he was a quick study.  My advice to A.C. was always the same --- be yourself, and don't hold back.  I told him that people would love his personality in game telecasts, if he'd just let it out.  Perhaps I should be a talent coach.  Or better yet, A.C.'s agent!   I'm really happy for the success he'd had as our color analyst on Cavs' telecasts.  He's fun, honest, insightful, and very entertaining.

Not that anyone cares but me, but I'm relieved to report I had a great week in fantasy football - a winner in all four of my leagues.  Had to sweat it out in the league I care about the most.  I needed the Broncos Brandon Marshall to get 80 yards receiving or a touchdown against Pittsburgh on Monday night.  He ended up with 100 yards, and I won my game by two points.  I know.  Fantasy football is bad enough, but four leagues???  It's my only vice.  Well, fantasy football and gravy.

Also in a fantasy basketball leagues that's based out of Fox8.  Made a trade last week - I was offered Kobe Bryant and Louis Williams of the 76ers for Pau Gasol and Aaron Brooks of Houston.  Thank you very much.  I really like Gasol, but I have other big guys, and it's Kobe!  If you can't have LeBron, then you want Kobe, D-Wade, or Chris Paul.  In all honesty, the fantasy basketball league is a huge help with my job.  I look at box scores every night, and it really helps me stay on top of the rest of the league.  At least that's what I tell my wife.

Was in Toys 'R Us today.  Was greeted by a life-sized cardboard picture of Shaquille wearing a Santa's hat, with two little kids.  I'm guessing there aren't many chimneys that would accommodate Shaq.

First time I ever met Shaquille was during his rookie year, when the Magic came to The Coliseum to play the Cavs.  Before a Magic shootaround on gameday, Shaq met with the media.  The gathering was held in the large visitors' locker room, and had a sign outside saying "Shaq Press Conference."  Former Cav Steve Kerr was one of Shaq's teammates, and a favorite of the Cavs Media Relations staff.  As Steve walked in the Coliseum, media relations director Bob Price and his top guy Bob Zink ushered Steve to another room.  On the door, the Bobs had posted a sign that read "Steve Kerr Press Conference."  It was a very small, very full, janitors closet.  Steve laughed harder than anyone.