Sacramento - You can locate the Cavaliers' locker room several steps before reaching the entrance.

Just close your eyes and listen for the latest sound in rap, R&B or dance music booming from the portable CD player behind the door. The only thing missing is a bouncer and a cover charge. This may be officially called a locker room, but you can more accurately call it "Club Cavalier."

"The music creates a relaxing environment," said Andre Miller, while trying to talk over the music. "Sometimes preparing for a game can be stressful for some players. [The music] creates a stress-free environment. Guys like to listen to music to get ready for games. It's better than silence. Way better."

The Cavs dressed under silence during former coach Randy Wittman's tenure (1999-2001). Prior to Wittman, the music flowed during former coach Mike Fratello's stint (1993-99).

"Randy had a problem with it and Lucas doesn't," Wes Person said. "It's what coaches feel comfortable with. It doesn't have any affect on your game because when it comes time to play you have to play. It's more of a mind thing."

Lucas said the method to the music is to relax the team.

"I want them to be intense and loose but not intense where they can't relax," Lucas said. "I try to go back to when they played when they were little."

Cavs guard Bryant Stith said music in the locker room isn't common throughout the NBA. Former Celtics coach Rick Pitino wasn't into the sounds of music.

"Because he was a former college coach, Rick Pitino was more into mental preparation than what a lot of NBA teams are accustomed to," Stith said. "Music gets guys in a comfort zone. I can't say all guys like rap music, but it can help guys get into the right mental state in order to play."

No one listens or pays more attention to what's being played in "Club Cavalier" than Cavs guard Ricky Davis, a.k.a. "D.J. Rick."

"The music is like a nice vibe for me," Davis said. "It wakes me up and gets me going. It sets a tone to what I need to do and how I need to do it on the court. Basketball can be like playing in a rhythm. When you're in a zone or that rhythm, it's hard to stop you."

Maybe so, but "D.J. Rick's" playlist doesn't suit everyone.

"Ricky anointed himself the D.J.," Lucas said. "We can listen to The Doors only on rare occasions."

Added Person: "D.J. Rick has been struggling lately. He was pretty good at the beginning of the year. The D.J. needs to buy some CDs. He's starting to play the same thing over and over. We need some variety."