Cleveland Cavaliers win first game since the departure of LeBron James
The Cleveland Cavaliers opened up their first season in seven years without two-time reigning NBA MVP LeBron James Tuesday night with an 87-72 victory at home against the Charlotte Bobcats.
James left the Cavaliers in early July in a very public way when he booked an hour of prime-time television to announce his decision to join the Miami Heat, teaming up with Dwyane Wade
and Chris Bosh.
In a game where the remaining Cavaliers were trying to show off some of their own skills with the long shadow of James gone from Cleveland, the interest level of the fans was a let-down.
With James’ thunderous dunks and crafty passes, the Cavaliers had gotten used to a loud and rambunctious crowd at Quicken Loans Arena but last night, the venue was half-filled.
Small forward Jamario Moon, along with the rest of the Cavaliers roster, will need to pick up his game to make up for the absence of James.
"It wasn't strange at all, it's home," he said after the game, where he grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. "We were anxious to get out there and show that basketball is still alive in Cleveland."
Daniel Gibson led the Cavaliers with 18 points while J.J. Hickson chipped in 17 points and nine rebounds, making up for the absence of Mo Williams, out with a groin injury, and Anderson
Varejao, yet to return from his home country of Brazil following the death of his grand-father.
Bobcats D.J. Augustin added 14 points while Tyrus Thomas scored 11 points and nine rebounds. The Bobcats only managed 25 points in the second half, eventually costing them the game after
keeping it close after two quarters.
With James making his pre-season debut with the Heat last night as well, his season is filled with promise while that of his old team is filled with uncertainty. But there is at least
one respected NBA mind who isn’t worrying about how the Cavaliers will fare without James, who led his team to the NBA’s best regular season record the past two years.
"I was taken aback all summer reading the papers about LeBron leaving because he didn't have any good teammates,'' Charlotte coach Larry Brown said. "I used to hear people say that. I
never heard LeBron say that. I was thinking Varejao, (Antawn) Jamison, Williams, (Anthony) Parker, Hickson. They got some work to do, but they got some good pieces. They've got a phenomenal owner and they'll figure it out.''
As for his own team, Brown sees a lot of room for improvement. The good news is that they have a few weeks to work out the kinks before the real games start.
"We're not in great shape, not as good a shape as they are," Brown said. "We've got a lot of work to do, a lot of work, but that's what exhibition games are for."
Tags: