NBA Cavs suffer first exhibition loss while James continues to learn

The rookie scored 10 points in Cleveland's 87-81 loss to Milwaukee.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- With every missed jumper, turnover and bad decision he makes, one thing becomes very clear about LeBron James: He's just a rookie.
"As he plays the game," said Cavaliers coach Paul Silas, "he'll figure things out."
With a home crowd hanging on his every move, James had an uneven performance in his pro exhibition debut at Gund Arena as Cleveland lost for the first time in the preseason, 87-81 to the Milwaukee Bucks Monday night.
James scored 10 points on 4-for-14 shooting and added six rebounds, three assists and three turnovers in a team-high 29 minutes. After three games, he's averaging 8 points but shooting just 11-of-33.
Had some moments
He's had a few spectacular moments, but there have been almost as many he'd rather forget.
"Today was another learning experience," James said. "Every night we're not going to have it, there will be ups and downs. One game is not going to bother me."
Sitting in a locker room recliner before the game, James peeked over his shoulder at his white No. 23 Cavaliers jersey.
"It's like a dream come true," he said.
James has another vision.
"One day," he said eyeing his new jersey, "I hope it hangs from the rafters, too."
That ceremony is an entire career away, but things are looking up at Gund Arena for the Cavaliers.
A crowd of 16,354 -- about 4,000 shy of a sellout and 5,000 more than the Cavs averaged at home last season -- came to see James, who is expected to lift the Cavaliers from NBA dregs to title contenders.
There was a buzz in the air in the normally serene building as the Cavaliers shot pregame warmups with flashbulbs going off whenever James touched the ball.
Rallied against backups
But many fans seemed disappointed when the Bucks, playing against Cleveland's backups, blew the game open by outscoring the Cavaliers 29-15 in the third period.
Some fans packed up and left, while others booed.
"I thought they were saying, 'Booze,' " James quipped, referring to teammate Carlos Boozer.
James provided a few highlights.
Just 12 seconds after the opening tip, he picked up a loose ball and made a long pass to Ricky Davis, who went in for an uncontested dunk. As Davis slammed it through, James raised both arms and index fingers over his head in celebration.
Later, James made a nice pass to Boozer in the lane, but the second-year forward didn't seem to expect it and lost control.
James scored his first basket with 2:53 remaining in the first quarter on a 5-foot bank shot.
He also fired one air ball and was way off on a couple other open shots.
"LeBron is coming along," Silas said. "He's just a young player who has potential greatness but that will take awhile."
Bucks guard Michael Redd was impressed with James, but he urged caution to fans who are expecting too much.
"He has all the potential in the world," he said. "It's going to take time. People have to understand that. But you can see there's game there."
Silas isn't worried about James beginning to doubt his ability while he learns the NBA's ropes.
"He won't do that," he said. "He's not that type of kid. Normally, it takes three years to find your niche. It won't take that long with him. The expectations are way, way, way too high."