Williams perfect addition for Cavs

By MARY SCHMITT BOYER

CLEVELAND — Six months ago, when Cavs general manager Danny Ferry pulled off the trade for Mo Williams, no one was exactly sure how it would work out.

Oh, there were high hopes and great expectations and many reasons why the Cavs thought it was the right move. But until the season started there were no guarantees.

Now, as coach Mike Brown, LeBron James and Williams return from their appearances in the NBA All-Star Game and head into the final 31 games of the season, it is clear Williams was exactly what the team needed.

The point guard has become the perfect running mate for James. He can run the offense, so James doesn’t have to have the ball in his hands all the time. He can get his own shot so the offense doesn’t bog down when James is well-covered or on the bench. His jumper keeps defenses honest and allows the Cavs to space the floor. His sunny personality allowed him to blend in seamlessly, and team chemistry has never been better.

As a result, the Cavs are off to the best start in franchise history. Their offensive numbers have improved considerably, and while Williams may not have lock-down capabilities, he bought into Brown’s system and been much better defensively than his reputation suggested.

All in all, it has been a perfect match.

“It was the most ideal situation for me,” said Williams, who looked like a natural at the All-Star Game, finishing with 12 points and five assists in 17 minutes. “It complements what the team needed and complemented what I needed as far as playing with a guy like LeBron. He strengthens my game, and obviously I do whatever I can to take pressure off him. He’s a great player, which we all know. But great players need great role players around them, and on our team, we do have great role players.”

In Phoenix, James played the role of big brother to Williams, making sure his teammate enjoyed his All-Star debut. The two were basically joined at the hip all weekend. Practices, parties, public appearances — wherever one went, the other wasn’t far away.

The bonding that began in October on the practice courts in suburban Independence has taken the two of them to the highest heights in the NBA. So when James was asked over the weekend how the deal worked out, he gave it two thumbs up.

“It’s everything Cavs fans expected,” James said. “We just go out there and continue to work after practice. We work during practice. It’s like second-hand when we get into the game. It’s automatic.”