With Dave Cowens having been fired as Golden State's head coach Dec. 15 and assistant
Brian Winters having taken over on an interim basis, Phil Hubbard is now the team's top assistant. Hubbard, a Canton McKinley High School graduate who played for the Cavaliers from 1982-89, returned to Cleveland for last night's game at Gund Arena. ``I have a little more responsibility,'' he said. ``When you lose a coach, everybody has to move up. But you hate to see somebody get fired.'' Hubbard, in his fifth season as an NBA assistant, believes he is close to being ready for a head position, which is his ultimate goal. ``Sitting out there, I might as well (try to be a head coach),'' he said. ``I'd like to pick up a few more things. I wouldn't be satisfied being an assistant my whole life. I believe I'm as capable of (becoming a head coach) as well as anybody else.''
FASTING POSTPONED -- Cavs rookie center DeSagana Diop, a Muslim, didn't fast during the month-long Islamic holy period Ramadan, which ended last month. But Diop said it is permissible for him to observe the period next summer. He then will fast during the day for a month. ``It would be too hard to fast during the season with having to practice,'' Diop said. ``I did it when I was a junior (in high school), but I didn't when I was a senior (last year).'' Diop has been back a month after missing a month with an injured left knee. He said his weight rose to 315 pounds when he was hurt, but he's now 300.

MURRAY'S BACK -- After missing three games with a strained lower back, Cavs forward Lamond Murray, the team's second-leading scorer with a 16.0 average, returned last night ``He's not 100 percent,'' said Cavs head coach John Lucas. ``He's about 75 percent. But we need Lamond. We need his ballhandling and his scoring.'' During Murray's absence, the Cavs went 1-2.

HENDERSON SHELVED -- Warriors forward Cedric Henderson, a former Cav, was placed on the injured list yesterday with left knee tendinitis. Henderson then returned to his hometown of Memphis, where he will tend to personal problems for a few days. To replace Henderson, the Warriors activated guard Gilbert Arenas. Golden State last night also was without center Erick Dampier, who has a knee injury.

COATS FOR KIDS -- WTAM 1100-AM recently held an auction to raise money for the purchase of coats for disadvantaged youths. In the Coats for Kids program, a Cavs jacket signed by all the players and Lucas fetched $1,000. That was enough to buy 20 coats.