While there is a lot of hype surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers following their latest blockbuster move to bring in Peyton Watson, they have some stiff competition in front of them to begin the upcoming season. 

Following a manageable first six games, which includes a season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 22 and a home opener vs. the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 24, the beginning of November brings a whole different set of challenges.

The Cavs host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 2 then face them on their turf two days later, then come back to take on the new-look Sixers and defending-champion New York Knicks on a daunting back-to-back at Rocket Arena. It will be the first of three meetings with New York, two of which are on the road, that month. 

In the latest episode of Courtside with Cavs, Spencer German and I went over the first half of Cleveland's schedule and how it'll be indicative of the tone the team will set after a disappointing end in the Eastern Conference Finals last May:

Out the chute, there's a lot of tough games. We'll see, off rip, if they can get it going immediately. We're going to know right away how they're treating the start to the season. Look, 82 games is tough to maintain that level throughout all of those months. But, at the beginning of the season, you've got to come out with a chip on your shoulder.

I think Donovan's got to come out with a chip on his shoulder. Harden's got to come out with one, and Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley. The whole gang, really, has to. How they start this thing, I feel like, is going to really tell us a lot.

Watson's addition certainly helps the morale outside of the building to match the internal belief Cleveland has consistently maintained. Taking a baby step forward to get to the East Finals was a positive sign with James Harden only in town for a few months and Max Strus having a month to prepare for the postseason. 

Strus is on his way out with Watson coming in, which provides a facelift to the Cavs, who are aiming to get even further among a stacked conference that isn't getting any easier.