Making playoffs goal for James

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By Brian Windhorst, Beacon Journal staff writer


CLEVELAND - When LeBron James showed up in a newly minted No. 23 jersey at Cavaliers media day a year ago, he wasn't exactly sure what was in store.


Not from the media -- he'd aced out that scene by his mid-teens -- but the whole NBA experience that was to come. Transitions, expectations and pressure abounded.



On Monday, back again at Gund Arena to face cameras, microphones and tape recorders, his focus for his sop re pro season was narrowed.


"I want to make the playoffs. That's my only goal," James said. "These fans deserve it."


The Cavaliers finished 35-47 last season, an 18-game improvement from 2002-03, but still a victory shy of tying for the last playoff spot.


Since 16 of the 30 teams advance to the postseason, the achievement isn't exactly worthy of a ticker-tape parade. But James knows the Cavaliers haven't tasted such success in six years.


After last season's improvement and the promise of James, who claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award by averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists, the fan base is joining James in expecting the next step.


It starts this morning at Capital University in Columbus, where a much deeper and more experienced team will gather for training camp. The Cavaliers started last season as the youngest team in the NBA and, after opening 6-19, needed two major trades to right the ship.


"That 6-19 start didn't help us last year. We're going to be better," James said. "Last year we were playing with the guys on the floor, but we didn't even know if we were playing with them tomorrow. We didn't really trust each other on the court."


James said he's pleased with the Cavaliers' improvements.


In the off-season, they acquired veterans Eric Snow, Scott Williams and Lucious Harris.


Other new players are youngsters Sasha Pavlovic, Drew Gooden, Anderson Varejao and Luke Jackson.


All the changes have come in the wake of losing Carlos Boozer to the Utah Jazz in a contract fiasco.


"I wasn't happy at first. I'm not going to lie to you. I didn't want to lose Carlos," James said. "But they did their best job to get some players around me to help. We picked up some key players."


James' summer was highlighted by the Olympics, where he seemed to stand out when he played. One of a number of players caught in coach Larry Brown's uncertain rotation, James spent a lot of time on the bench despite positive results on the floor.


While some players, namely close friend Carmelo Anthony, criticized Brown after the bronze-medal finish, James has been more diplomatic.


"There were certain parts of the Olympics I didn't enjoy, but I've got to suck it up because I'm a basketball player and I'm a man," James said.


"I was disappointed I didn't play as much as I thought I should, but I don't mope and cry about anything. There were players playing in front of me. Maybe it was players playing in front of me that shouldn't have been.


"There were times when (Brown) told me in order for us to win, he had to play me. At times it was the other way around. It was kind of confusing to me.


"Some games I knew I was going to go in (in) the second quarter but after I came out, I knew I wasn't getting back in. So it was time to put my pompoms on. I just tried to be a complete team player in the time I had," he said.


Starting today, though, there is no question James will be at the center of everything the Cavaliers do.


"I envision us to be pretty good. It is going to be the first time we have a full team from the jump," James said. "This is my team and (Zydrunas Ilgauskas') team now. We're going to be better."


Messages for Brian Windhorst can be left at 330-996-3819 or [email protected]

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is it not suppose to be your goal to win it all?