Eyes on the prize

October 28, 2008 at 12:02a.m.

LeBron and the Cavaliers feel this is the year

Cleveland begins play against defending NBA champion Boston.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Now that he finally has his gold medal, LeBron James is eyeing another glittering prize.

James, the getting-better-by-the-year superstar, spent part of his summer leading the U.S. Redeem Team to Olympic basketball glory at the Beijing Games. Now he believes this is the season he can take the Cavaliers further than ever before. His sights are on an NBA championship and the shiny Larry O’Brien Trophy that goes with it.

“This is the best team that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said James, entering his sixth season as a pro. “I see the talent from 1 to 14, everybody can contribute. I know I’ve improved five times than I was in Game 7 of the Boston series.”

Whoa. Did he say, five times better?

Look out then.

All James did in the finale of the Eastern Conference semifinals was single-handedly mystify the Celtics, who could do little to stop the seemingly unstoppable 23-year-old marvel. Loading the Cavaliers on his sturdy shoulders, James scored 45 points during a remarkable 1 vs. 5 matchup that would be remembered as one of the greatest performances in league playoff history if not for one cold, indisputable, bottom-line fact: he lost.

Afterward, a dejected and exhausted James dressed slowly at his locker at TD Banknorth Garden before heading to the postgame interview. Once he began answering questions, James was typically candid while expressing his disappointment at Cleveland’s failed run. He reflected on what went wrong for the Cavaliers, whose 2007-08 season was sabotaged by contract holdouts, injuries, a slow start made worse by a tough schedule, and weeks of upheaval following a colossal trade in February.

James then pointed toward the future.

“We need to continue to get better,” he said. “If that means some personnel changes that need to happen, then so be it.”

He had spoken.

And standing in the back of the room, general manager Danny Ferry heard James loud and clear.

Challenged to find James some help, Ferry, who traded half his active roster before the deadline last season, acquired versatile point guard Mo Williams in August from Milwaukee, an addition that could help the Cavaliers unseat the Celtics as conference champions.

Williams, too, is a player capable of taking some pressure off James, who won the scoring title last season but is more dangerous when he’s setting up others.

Fractured for much of last season, the Cavaliers appear to be complete.

“There’s no excuses for us now,” James said.

Ferry also re-signed free agent guards Daniel Gibson and Delonte West, and drafted forwards J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson, two big men who may see playing time as rookies.

But it was the Williams’ deal that may transform the Cavs.

Not long after returning from China and after some time away from the gym, James sought out Williams, a five-year veteran who averaged 17.2 points, 6.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds last season, to begin workouts. James didn’t want to waste a single minute in building chemistry with his new teammate.

Williams remembers the first time he and James played together.

“I found myself a little amazed the first day,” he said. “LeBron made some plays and made some shots that I saw periodically while turning on the tube or playing against him.”

The two bonded immediately and it wasn’t long before James was showing Williams around his hometown of Akron. They hung out and even played some touch football in the days leading up to training camp. Once they joined their teammates for practice, the pair discussed their intent to win a championship — now.

“That’s all we talk about,” Williams said. “That’s our whole goal. What enlightens me and makes me feel good is that it’s just not LeBron. These guys have been saying they haven’t felt like this about this team in a while. The mental aspect of what we’re trying to do is the best they’ve felt in years. That makes me feel more comfortable and confident.”

Williams may fill the role of Robin to James’ Batman that the Cavaliers have coveted for years. Though not known for his defense, the 6-foot-1 Williams is an adept ballhandler who can break down a defense off the dribble to get off his own shot or find an open teammate. James is excited by the possibilities Williams brings.

“He can allow me to play off him,” James said. “I don’t have to bring the ball up as much. I’m going to emphasize on just running the floor a lot. You look at me in the summertime, when I’m playing with great point guards like Jason Kidd and Deron Williams and Chris Paul.”

For the most part, you just see me run the floor. It’s easy for me. Now with Mo Williams and Delonte West and Boobie [Gibson], I can do that. I can get out on the break.”

With Williams pushing the tempo, the Cavaliers, who were ranked 28th last season in shooting percentage, may run more than they have in the past. But Cleveland’s bread and butter is its defense, something coach Mike Brown harps on daily and an identity his players believe will win them a title.

Coming off their first finals appearance, the Cavs got off to a sluggish start (9-13) last season partly due to holdouts by forwards Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic, who got hurt after returning and missed extended time. They never got their games in shape and their absence hurt the club’s chemistry, later destroyed by the 11-player swap in February.

Except for West missing nearly two weeks to deal with a mood disorder and Jackson breaking his wrist, the Cavs had a quiet preseason. Tonight, they’ll open the season where their last one ended — in Boston — and will watch as the Celtics raise a 17th championship banner.

A year from now, James, who is under contract with the Cavs for two more seasons, would like to see a first one hoisted in Cleveland, a title-less city since 1964.

“We came close and I got a little taste of it,” James said. “The fans got a little taste of it with us winning the Eastern Conference championship. I need more and the fans need more. We deserve it.”