James still excited about Cavs' chances

AKRON (AP) -- When the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA draft lottery last year, LeBron James had his doubts.
James said that at first he wasn't sure if he wanted to play for the team just up the road from his hometown.
"That team they had last year on the court ... I mean I went to a lot of those games, and I saw it," James said. "The coaching staff and the players didn't show the enthusiasm of wanting to win. I'm a winner. I wanted to win and I wasn't sure if this was the place."
James said the Cavaliers' hiring of coach Paul Silas, offseason acquisitions and some recent trades have changed his mind.
"We all get along now. There isn't anybody on the team that doesn't like each other. I think we can do something great. That's what we all want, to do something great," he said.
The Cavaliers are 19-32 and have already surpassed last season's win total by two.
The 19-year-old James, who is averaging 20 points, said the wins are an improvement, but the team needs to make the playoffs for him to consider it a successful season.
"I knew a lot of people in Cleveland who didn't think we had a chance after 20 games. Now everybody's hyped up, thinking we have a chance," he said.
While James is pleased with the Cavaliers, he couldn't predict whether his career will take him to another NBA city.
"I can't say I will play for the Cavaliers my whole career, because you never know. This is what I do know: if I have anything to do with it, I am going to be here."