A lot has happen since last season, and a lot has happened in the last 25 days.

It started December 4th versus the Bulls.  We played hard and won that game, 101-87, we played hard and won 14 games in the month of December ... difficult to argue with success. But were talking about winning Championships and it takes more than playing hard to win.  We're building something here, and it takes something else. 

Wayne Embry called it "Character", Rudy Tomjanovich called it, "The Heart of A Champion"... its more than dunking the ball, more than passing the ball, more than saying we want to win a Championship ... They all want to win a Championship ... but only one will.  The difference: The Heart of a Champion and Character. Since the Bulls Game the Cavs are playing hard, emotionally taking the game serious; no more playing ... its working ... no more fun ... it's working ... hard to win in this league ... the fun comes after the game ... when you can appreciate the fruits of your efforts ... the smiles, the real respect, the reflections and recollections of a worthy effort and result.

It's Shaq getting to the ball in the Defensive Rotation, Lebron in the post, and getting the ball late in the clock versus early in the clock and producing. Mo, knowing his role is to make shots and get people involved. It's Delonte, Z, and Andy: doing what they do and doing it every night. Boobie coming back this season, stronger, smarter and with more weapons. 

We are on the right path; Championships, takes more than Skills.  Champions are made in the mind and spirit of those that seek it's favor.  "The Deepest Game is the Mental Game ... it moves fast and The Game of the Spirit moves even faster.

The  best example of both is Lebron: When asked what I think of Lebron,  my response has always been "his mind" ... not his dunk, not his passing or even his shooting ... they're all a result of the way he sees the game.  It's his most redeeming quality ...

During the Laker Game on December 25th; when commentators: Mark Jackson and Jeff Van-Gundy mentioned that Lebron was" the Greatest Athlete of All-Time" ...  I thought they did him a dis-service to not make mention of his mental game.  That's the separation ... the way he plays the game, the decisions, his never say die demeanor, the smart plays, his anticipation ... his Will, his Character and his Heart of a Champion.

This team is different than last year, they have more Heart and Character: they can Will themselves to victory.  That's bad news for the rest of the NBA, who thought they had figured out a way to beat them.  Mike Tyson once said: "Everybody has a plan (on how to beat him) until they get hit" ... the league thought they had a plan, until they saw the Laker Game, that was the turning point in our season.

What a great game...we played like the Cavs we've seen all season.  What about the play of Boobie Gibson?  He was great under pressure....

LeBron...are there any words to describe his excellence?  We're truly Witnesses.

"Z" showing the heart he is famous for.

Ben Wallace leading the "do as I do"...effort and courage action.

"Mo" better Williams...stepping up, like he's been doing all season.

Delonte West...other than LeBron, the toughest one on one matchup on the team.

Andy Varejao...leaving the refs alone and playing from beginning to end.

Wally Szczerbiak...the Defense on Lewis.

The ball-movement (Extra-pass)

Balance scoring.

Defensive Rotations...we're getting to the shooters.

Making free-throws...

Making shots...

Making stops...

Getting better every game.

But most importantly:

COMPETING; On every play.

NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION..."Managing Circumstances" - LeBron

REMEMBERING:  EVERY TEAM HAS A BREAKING POINT (a point where they feel uncomfortable - loose focus and confidence  ITS UP TO YOU TO GET THEM THERE...SO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THEM...DEFENSE AND OFFENSE AND EFFORT, NEVER SAY DIE, COMPETE, COMPETE...EVERY POSSESSION, EVERY DEFENSIVE STAND...NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO

YES, I NOW "TWEET" ON www.twitter.com/chones22  What are you Doing?