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Dan Gilbert assures LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers will spend to maintain championship-level team

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Dan Gilbert says he's willing to spend the money to keep a quality team around LeBron James and that bodes well for the city of Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – When Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert addressed the media Wednesday morning for the first time since February, he did so with a purpose.

This press conference, a day before his team's season opener against the Knicks, was in part about getting the questions about his relationship with LeBron James out of the way.

That's what everybody was curious to know and for a lot of people, Gilbert's response was what they needed to hear.

"I think our relationship is very good, very solid," Gilbert said. "...Things are great. We had five great years and one bad night is the way I've been describing it. So things are good."

For James, he also needed to hear something in that presser and Gilbert delivered.

James can opt out of his two-year, $42.1 million deal with the Cavaliers at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season. Being the astute businessman that he is, he recognized the NBA's new television deal would kick in for the 2016-17 season and dramatically increases the salary of a maximum contract.

Another reason and probably the most important reason it's only a two-year window is so that James can gauge the organization's aggressiveness towards building and sustaining a championship-caliber team regardless of the luxury tax hurdles.

Mike Miller spoke to Northeast Ohio Media Group during the early part of training camp and he revealed James wasn't thrilled at all with the Miami Heat amnestying him in the summer of 2013. It was a decision that saved the franchise approximately $17 million in luxury taxes.

Miami was a championship squad and on a quest to become the first team to three-peat since the Los Angeles Lakers accomplished it in 2002.

At 29, this part is clear regarding James: He will not allow what's remaining of his prime career to be wasted due to management choosing to save a buck. Even with the ultra punitive luxury tax system in play, to keep the best player in the game happy, the breaking of bread will have to occur to ensure he's surrounded with a quality roster year-to-year.

Gilbert has never shied away from the luxury tax threshold in the past and he made it clear on Wednesday to the fan base and to James that he's not wavering one bit from that stance.

"That message is unchanged," Gilbert said adamantly. "Clearly the cap will be going up in the next couple of years based on the revenues of the league as well, but that message is still there. I think that when you have so much invested, if you want to look at this financially and take away the other stuff, I almost think it's kind of silly when you invest so much into a franchise and have such high costs already and then at the margin, I know it's a lot of raw dollars when you look at it by itself, but relative to everything that's invested, I was a little bit surprised when our franchise was going to stop right there.

"To me, it's like getting to the two-yard line, and okay, we're done now. I think it's not even smart business or maybe not even smart financially, because there is obviously risk involved. But when you're willing to do that, theoretically, your revenues can offset part of that as well and increase in revenues. Definitely, when the decisions are ours and they're regarding financial, that should not stop us or be any significant barrier to delivering championship-caliber basketball here."

Gilbert saw the fastball coming down the pipe and knocked that question out of the park. That's exactly what James needed to hear. Of course it's all about action from here, but the foundation is solid and understood.

Thursday will be a monumental, celebratory day in the city of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Downtown is expected to be jam-packed with individuals looking to capture the moment.

What James has given to this city is remarkable. It takes a big man to pull off something like this. After "The Decision" and the infamous "Letter," not many believed this day would be possible, let alone the impact it is having.

Cleveland, this is for you. You have endured more heartaches than any other major sports city combined. You deserve it. Cleveland is not used to catching breaks like this. I feel for you from my experiences covering the Portland Trail Blazers where they suffered through the injury-plague careers of Bill Walton, Sam Bowie, Greg Oden and Brandon Roy.

Not to mention they could have selected Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant. Cleveland, you have your Jordan or Durant in James.

All James wants to do is be the best and in order to do that, management must maintain the core nucleus and be willing to add to it. In that presser, Gilbert reassured James that he has nothing to worry about and the same holds true for the die-hard Cavalier fans.

You have nothing to worry about. Enjoy your day, brought to you by LeBron James and Dan Gilbert.


Halfback Ben Tate believes problems in the run game can 'be fixed': Cleveland Browns Insider

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Other notes include updates on Jordan Cameron and other injury news.

BEREA, Ohio – After two subpar performances from the Browns' rushing attack, Ben Tate was asked Wednesday if he could recall a similar rough patch during his four seasons with the Texans.

The Browns halfback said he couldn't. He stretched his memory back as far as his days in youth football. Still nothing.

"(When) I was there (in Houston) I don't remember a spurt as bad," Tate said. "I don't think I've ever had two football games back to back since I was playing football at 8 years old that bad back to back."

The Browns boasted one of the NFL's most dynamic rushing offenses through the first five weeks. But an injury to All Pro center Alex Mack (broken leg) and the opposition's increased focus on stopping the run have contributed to a pair of poor performances.

Cleveland rushed for 69 yards in the 24-6 loss in Jacksonville and a season-low 39 yards in the 23-13 win over the Raiders. The Browns (4-3) had been averaging 146.6 yards prior to the two games.

Going against the grain of a league trend, the Browns are committed to running the ball, relying on it to set up the pass. The failure to run effectively is creating trouble for the pass game. Quarterback Brian Hoyer is no longer getting the favorable down and distances he enjoyed early in the season and his play has suffered.

Despite averaging 1.96 yards per carry in the past two outings, the quarterback doesn't anticipate a game-plan overhaul.

"We don't want to abandon who we are," Hoyer said.

The Browns lost Mack to his season-ending injury in the Oct. 12 win over the Steelers. They have been searching for right line combination over the past two weeks. The Browns are expected to leave Nick McDonald at center and John Greco at right guard for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Tate believes the rebuilt five-man unit will exhibit more cohesion in the coming weeks. He's rushed for a combined 62 yards and a touchdown the last two games.

He admitted after Sunday's game he was frustrated with the lack of productivity in recent weeks. Someone asked him if there were any "holes" to run though against the Raiders.

"Did you watch the game?" he replied.

Tate, who rushed for a career-high 124 yards against the Titans, said the last two opponents have made concerted efforts to stop the run.

"I definitely think they have an emphasis on not letting us run the ball," he said. "I could tell they were very focused on that, especially Oakland. I played with some of those guys and talking to them after the game you could tell that was their big focus."

Tate, who leads the team with 305 yards rushing, believes the Browns must prove they can effectively pass to get defenses back to playing honest and not loading up against the run.

Rookie halfback Terrance West also has sputtered in recent weeks and fellow rookie Isaiah Crowell is trying to win back the coaching staff's trust after fumbling in the Steelers game.

Tate thinks the run game can "be fixed" and it's often a matter of execution.

"It's all in how we play," he said. "Teams can come in with the mindset of stopping the run and you can still run for 200 yards on them. It's Xs and Os but it still comes down to beating that man in front of you. That's just what I believe."

Tate doesn't care if the Browns morph into a passing team as long as they move the chains and win games.

Would offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan de-emphasize the run?

"I can understand as a coordinator if you run 20 run plays and you're averaging one yard a carry ... because I'd be like , 'forget it, too,'" Tate said. "I'm just being honest. Whatever way is going to put up points and helps us move the ball I'm all for it."

Cameron update

Tight end Jordan Cameron did not practice Wednesday after sustaining his third concussion in the last two years on Sunday. It seems highly unlikely he will play this weekend as he remains in the league's concussion protocol.

"I don't know where he was today, as far as symptoms, but you don't even start the clock until they're 'symptom-free.'" coach Mike Pettine said. "I know he won't go today, and that'll be a day-to-day thing based on where he is."

The Browns, who beat the Saints in Week 2 without Cameron in the lineup, will rely on reserve tight ends Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge. Neither possesses Cameron's ability, but each has made a few big catches this season. They have combined for 14 receptions and 172 yards and a touchdown.

"The guy athletically is a freak (and) he went to the Pro Bowl and everything," Dray said of Cameron. "But Gary and I have been around for a long time and hopefully, collectively we can pick up some of the slack, but it will be hard."

More injury news

Defensive lineman Billy Winn (quad) returned to practice after missing the last three games. ... Coach Mike Pettine said Phil Taylor (knee surgery) is probably at least two more games from returning to action. ... Defensive back K'Waun Williams (neck/shoulder) practiced on Wednesday.

Tall order

The Browns are bracing to face the tallest receiver corps they're likely to see all season. Vincent Jackson and rookie Mike Evans are each 6-foot-5.

I cause mismatch problems for smaller (defensive backs)," said Evans, who has 25 catches for 335 yards and two TDs. "I can play the slot. I can play any side of the field, and just making plays when it comes down to it."

Quotable

Evans on Browns suspended receiver Josh Gordon, who's eligible to return after the 10th game: "Yeah, I like Josh Gordon's game a lot. He's a beast. His situation is unfortunate, but when he comes back I think he's going to wreak some havoc."

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy boys soccer beats University School, 2-0, in OHSAA Division II, Region 5 semifinal (slideshow, videos)

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Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy boys soccer defeated University School, 2-0, in the Division II, Region 5 semifinals on Wednesday.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy boys soccer defeated University School, 2-0, in the Division II, Region 5 semifinals on Wednesday.

Archbishop Hoban volleyball advances to Division II regional final with win over Hubbard

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Hoban's size on the front line played a huge role in how they were able to score points.

Hoban's size on the front line played a huge role in how they were able to score points.

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin volleyball advances to Division II regional final with sweep of Chagrin Falls

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NDCL only trailed in the third set of the match.

NDCL only trailed in the third set of the match.

World Series 2014: Madison Bumgarner wins 3rd game of series as San Francisco Giants take home the title

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The Giants win Game 7 on the road to claim their third World Series title in five years.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Madison Bumgarner pitched five innings of near-perfect relief and the San Francisco Giants held off the Kansas City Royals 3-2 Wednesday night in Game 7 of the World Series for their third championship in five seasons.

With both starters chased early, this became a matchup of bullpens. And no one stood taller than the 6-foot-5 Bumgarner, who added to his postseason legacy with a third victory this Series.

After Gregor Blanco misplayed Alex Gordon's drive for a single and two-base error, Bumgarner got Salvador Perez to pop foul to third baseman Pablo Sandoval for the final out.

The Giants ended a Series streak that had seen home teams win the last nine Game 7s. San Francisco took this pairing of wild-card teams after earning titles in 2012 and 2010.

Pitching on two days' rest after his shutout in Game 5, Bumgarner entered in the fifth with a 3-2 lead. After giving up a leadoff single to Omar Infante, he shut down the Royals.

Donte Whitner on Johnny Manziel's scout team freelancing: 'He really wants to get out there and play'

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Donte Whitner also senses that Johnny Manziel is getting frustrated by not playing. When he's running the scout team, he often improvises and does his own thing instead of what's on the playcard. But Whitner says he shows big-play ability when he does so.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns safety Donte Whitner agrees with coach Mike Pettine that Johnny Manziel is getting frustrated on the bench, and Whitner wouldn't want it any other way.

"We talk back and forth and joke back and forth, and still, he wants to get out there and play,'' said Whitner. "He's one of the biggest competitors on this football team. He wants to get out there and run around and make plays for this team and have something to feel good about when he leaves the stadium.

"He should already, being a backup quarterback and helping Brian (Hoyer) as much as he can. (But) he still wants to get out there and make the plays.''

Whitner, one of the most competitive players on the team, has also sensed the former Heisman Trophy winner getting antsy, but anticipated it.

"Well probably just a little, but any competitor, they want to play,'' said Whitner. "Especially if you feel like you can go out there and help the football team. That's why there was a quarterback competition during training camp, because each one of them brings their own set of skills to the table.

"I know if I wasn't playing, I'd walk around here and I'd be upset also. You can understand that. He's that type of competitor, he wants to get out there and help the football team, so that's not necessarily a bad thing.''

 Whitner revealed that Manziel often strays from the playcards when running the scout team -- just like he did at Texas A&M -- but that he shows big-play ability and NFL potential when he does. Perhaps it's another sign of Manziel frustration -- that he's determined to showcase his skills instead of just impersonating the opposing quarterback.

"Yeah, he does that sometimes where they'll draw it on the card where they want him to throw it and he'll see a corner sitting right there waiting on the interception -- or a safety --  because the coaches have talked to us and taught us in the meeting what to take away,'' said Whitner, providing a rare glimpse into Manziel on the field as a pro. "And then he won't throw it in there and he'll run around and throw it down the field sometimes and make us frustrated as defensive backs and make them frustrated. But that's what a mobile quarterback can do to you.

"They make you frustrated and that's why he had the success he had at A&M and that's why I believe that if he gets out there in the National Football League, he'll be able to run around and make some plays.''

Whitner, for one, has no problem with Manziel's freelancing when he sees a DB ready to pounce.

"Naturally we really want him to throw it there -- but we don't want him to throw it there,'' said Whitner. "It's like 'yeah, yeah, no, no.' Then he'll scramble around throw it deep and then we'll all get mad. So that's his game, and he's not supposed to throw it to the defense. You want to see him being able to read the defense, understand what we're trying to do against him and go to the open man and that's what he's been doing.''

Manziel hasn't been on the field since the illegal reception from Hoyer against Baltimore in week three.

Usher sings national anthem at Cleveland Cavaliers season opener: Watch video

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Eight-time Grammy winner and Cavaliers part owner Usher sang the Star Spangled Banner before the team's season opener against the New York Knicks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Grammy-award winning singer Usher crooned his way through the National Anthem at Thursday’s opener before the Knicks-Cavs game.

Fans in the sold-out Q screamed and waved glow sticks as Usher sang.

The singer – who turned 36 this month – is familiar with The Q. He has performed in the arena, as well as having been a sideline presence at Cavs games. He has been known to flash his “Double-C” gesture.

Usher’s seventh studio album “Looking 4 Myself” came out in 2012. His latest, “UR,” is in the works.

Click the video to watch.


Browns defensive staff gives their Dawgs a bone: Cleveland Browns quick hits

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Cleveland Browns defenders earn dog bones for "playing like Browns."

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil has some bones to pick with his defense. A lot of them.

When O'Neil and the defensive staff sat down in the off-season to reward players who made plays that reflected the team's "Play like a Brown" mantra, they came up with dog-themed way to do it.

"What we came up with that was unique to the Dawg Pound was to give each player a dog collar," said O'Neil, "and those guys would be rewarded for plays on the field with a bone for every time they did something that we considered a 'Play Like A Brown' play."

Take a trip around the locker room in Berea and you'll see spiked dog collars hanging in each defensive player's locker. Collars have metal dog bones attached to them with the name of the opponent engraved on each one.

"It's a lot of bones, man," said linebacker Karlos Dansby, rifling through the tags on his collar. "It's a lot of bones. A lot of different games. A lot of bones. I never even thought about countin' 'em."

"We haven't sat down and counted all the tags," said cornerback Buster Skrine, "but, I mean, it's an accomplishment. Play like a Brown, you get a dog tag." 

"It's keeping guys competitive," said linebacker Jabaal Sheard, "not only against the other team, but against one another."

But seriously, who has the most?

"You know what, I couldn't tell you," O'Neil said. "I told the guys that I don't want to know until this time next week. Then we'll announce the top three, and I'm sure there are guys in the locker room kind of eye-balling other guys collars to see who's got the most tags on it."

"I don't know how many bones you get for sacks," Dansby said, "because Paul Kruger, he should be outweighing me by a lot right now. I don't know how many you get for a sack, but he's got a lot."

Browns add to practice squad: The team announced today they have signed wide receiver Phil Bates to the practice squad. Defensive back Marcus Cromartie was released from the practice squad to make room. 

Bates, 6-2 and 220 pounds, was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and spent time on the team's practice squad before making his NFL debut last week as a reserve.

Injury updates: Tight end Jordan Cameron did not participate in practice with a concussion. Defensive lineman Phil Taylor remains out with a knee injury. Wide receiver Rodney Smith did not participate with a hamstring injury.

For Tampa Bay, wide receivers Trindon Holliday and Vincent Jackson and center Evan Dietrich-Smith and defensive end Michael Johnson were limited in practice.

Cleveland Cavaliers highly-anticipated introduction video delivers message: There's no place like home

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Prior to the home opener against the New York Knicks, fans at The Q stood in anticipation of the Cleveland Cavaliers new introduction video.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Prior to the home opener against the New York Knicks, fans at The Q stood in anticipation of the Cleveland Cavaliers new introduction video.

The message from LeBron James was simple in the minute-long video that played on the new giant scoreboard that hovers above the court. There's no place like home. With highlights and "Turn Down For What" playing, the crowd erupted.

You can see the video in its entirety thanks to a tweet from the Cavaliers. 

Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Oct. 30, 2014 (slideshow)

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Cleveland Plain Dealer photographers John Kuntz, Joshua Gunter and Thomas Ondrey are at Quicken Loans Arena tonight as the Cleveland Cavaliers face the New York Knicks in the 2014-15 season opener. A gallery of their photos will be updated throughout the game. Check back for all the Cavs action.

Cleveland Plain Dealer photographers John Kuntz, Joshua Gunter and Thomas Ondrey are at Quicken Loans Arena tonight as the Cleveland Cavaliers face the New York Knicks in the 2014-15 season opener.

A gallery of their photos will be updated throughout the game. Check back for all the Cavs action.

Cleveland Cavaliers halftime scribbles: LeBron James nervous, offense is sloppy, Kevin Love produces -- Terry Pluto

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LeBron James was 1-of-9 shooting with as many points (4) as turnovers (4).

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cavs notebook at the half as they were leading the New York Knicks, 44-42:

1. I liked the pregame introductions. The fans tossing the confetti with LeBron James was very cool. Also, how they sang part of the National Anthem with Usher was very nice.

2. Then the game began, and it was so ... so ... so spotty for the Cavs. Defense was iffy, offense was sloppy, James was very nervous ... or something.

3. James seemed to be forcing passes ... he had four turnovers. His jumper was the line drive that happens when he just doesn't have his touch. It's obvious James was more affected by the emotions of this night than anyone would have imagined. He was 1-of-9 shooting, three assists.

4. Kevin Love's long passes downcourt after rebounds are beautiful. He had three assists in the first quarter. He also scored 12 of the Cavs' 25 points in the first quarter. He had 14 points and nine rebounds at the half.

5. Coach David Blatt used three substitutes -- Shawn Marion, Tristan Thompson and Matthew Dellavedova. In 20 minutes, they supplied four points and four rebounds. The Knicks bench delivered 20 points and five rebounds. No Mike Miller.

6. The rebounding was 20-20 at half, a real problem for the Cavs, who should have a major edge in that department. The Cavs turned the ball over 10 times for 15 points. The offense looked very average after an initial good burst.

7. Lots of celebrities were shown. I smiled when Joe Haden appeared. He came to a lot of games in the last four years. He is a real Cavs fan. I still remember him wearing an Anderson Varejao wig.

Cleveland Cavaliers pregame festivities on opening night feature new introduction video and LeBron James' chalk toss (video)

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The lights went out, and the highly-anticipated intro video played on the Humongotron. With the new 3D court projection in the background, the starters were revealed one-by-one, with LeBron James being announced last, which sent the sellout crowd into frenzy.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Minutes before tip off between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, Usher finished singing the national anthem, put down his gold microphone and turned things over to the Cavs PA announcer. 

The lights went out, and the highly-anticipated intro video played on the "Humongotron." With the new 3D court projection in the background, the starters were revealed one-by-one, with LeBron James being announced last, sending the sellout crowd into frenzy.

You can watch the video above, complete with James bringing back his trademark chalk toss. 

New York Knicks stun Cleveland Cavaliers, 95-90, in LeBron James' return home

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The New York Knicks upset the Cleveland Cavaliers in LeBron James' return game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – In a night that started out so memorably, the ending sure left a sour taste as the New York Knicks defeated the Cavaliers, 95-90, on Thursday night at The Q in the Cavs' season opener.

New York's Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 25 points.

Kyrie Irving led Cleveland (0-1) with 22 points, four rebounds and five assists. Kevin Love supplied 19 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

LeBron James struggled offensively in his return home, finishing with 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting in addition to five rebounds and four assists. He also committed a game-high eight turnovers. Going into tonight's game, it was all about his homecoming, but the Knicks killed that storyline.

The Cavaliers seemed fueled by the emotions in a sloppy first quarter that ended with a 25-18 lead. But for the rest of the game the home team looked spent -- particularly on offense as possession after possession was lost in inaccurate passes. Only Kevin Love -- 14 first-half points on his way to 19 points and 14 rebounds -- seemed a reliable option.

James deferred to his teammates almost without exception in the first half, and never found a rhythm at any point. The Knicks successfully double-teamed him several times, and his teammates looked uncertain as to where to best be open.

The atmosphere around the sold-out Quicken Loans Arena was electric with thousands of fans camped around just to get a taste of this unprecedented moment. It was pandemonium inside The Q. Fans were on the edge of their seat, not knowing what to expect.

"My sense is that people are firmly behind this team and behind this project and they're excited, anxious to get it going," Cavs head coach David Blatt said before the game.

The stars showed up to check out the scene, including pop star Justin Bieber, R&B singer Usher, Knicks super fan Spike Lee, Browns backup QB Johnny Manziel and cornerback Joe Haden, former NFL player Michael Strahan, former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar and actor/comedian Kevin Hart.

The Nike commercial featuring James and the city of Cleveland was shown on the brand new video board a few minutes before lineup introductions. The moment it appeared, the crowd erupted with cheers and few tears were shed.

James was standing by the team's bench looking up, watching the entire commercial. He didn't say a word. He didn't move. He just watched it as if he was soaking up the moment.

"None of us should take this moment for granted," James said before the game. "This is probably the biggest sporting event. It's up there, ever."

Emotions were all over the place and it didn't end there.

When James walked to the scorer's table, fans stood up holding confetti that was provided by the organization. James brought back his patented chalk toss and the crowd threw up its confetti at the same time, reminiscent of the old days.

However, that was the extent of the good times. Cleveland has a road meeting with the division-rival Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

Ohio high school football statewide scores for October 30, 2014

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See Ohio high school football statewide scores for Thursday, October 30, 2014.

See Ohio high school football statewide scores for Thursday, October 30, 2014.


Cleveland Cavaliers: Relevance returns with some rough edges -- Bud Shaw

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LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers brought relevance (and celebrities) back to town Thursday night. So they're forgiven for looking rough around the edges -- Bud Shaw's blog

CLEVELAND, Ohio – What we can say about the Cavaliers and Opening Night's deflating 95-90 loss to the New York Knicks...

• This was about a team and a town celebrating relevance again.

The town more than the team, as it turned out.

Good enough to win it all is a question for the next 81 games. Not for Thursday night. (Since the evidence provided wasn't exactly promising.) Not the first game of the new season in a new system and with the man of the hour looking like he'd dined on some pre-game ptomaine.

As I was just saying to my new best friend Justin Bieber.

Biebs walked by an hour before tipoff but wasn't listening. His pant legs were stuffed into leather sneakers. Even sporting a fedora, he made Muggsy Bogues look like Manute Bol.

The cameras caught up him during the game, seated next to Usher and Michael Strahan, the answer to the question "which of the following doesn't belong with the other two."

This was a center-of-the-NBA-universe kind of night. I mean, during the previous four years, Mayhem, the Allstate Insurance guy, could've fallen from the rafters and been declared the biggest celebrity, post-LeBron.

• The rest of the season can be about parsing whether a new team, new coach and new front office can harmonize and win a championship.

But we will take a minute to say this because we can't help ourselves: The Cavs were jump shot happy early Thursday.

Out to prove they share the ball like the Spurs, they froze themselves instead. In one sequence they threw about six or seven too many passes. Turnover. Carmelo Anthony breakaway layup.

Unhappy fan screaming, "Somebody shoot it."

C'mon LeBron, what have you done for this city lately?

• Not sure which visual was better. The glow sticks waving during Usher's prolonged version of the national anthem – (Usher stood in one place almost as long as LeBron James used to in Mike Brown's offense) -- or the fans throwing confetti when James did his chalk toss.

You know it's a good party when bald men have confetti in their hair.

• James opened the introductions on the scoreboard, saying, "There's no place like home."

It must be true, since Joe Haden sat in the front row across the court from the Cavs' bench wearing his answer to Dorothy's red pumps.

• The Knicks were supposed to be the perfect homecoming opponent. Or so we thought. The rough edges aren't going to sanded overnight. A night after losing by 24 to the Bulls at home, the Knicks hung in the first 24 minutes and dominated the second half. It helped that in the first half James shot 1-for-9.

It was still tied with six minutes to go in the third. In part because James' second field goal of the game didn't come until 6:52.

Score with 5:55 to go in the third: Cavs 53, Knicks 53.

 • That's a Diff of zero if you don't have a calculator handy. Then it got worse.

The same scoreboard that tells you The Diff appeals to your more erudite side. Fans were greeted by quotes from Helen Keller and Albert Einstein (Albert Belle must've had no comment).

What Dan Gilbert's scoreboard says most is this: "Game on, Haslam."

After the Humongotron developed a glitch – a black square the size of my bungalow covering the lower right part of the screen – I'd say advantage, Jimmy. But in fairness, the scoreboard people had scant time to test it.

• James seems intent on being all things to all people the second time around. His Nike commercial, shown on the scoreboard three minutes before game time, speaks loudest to that. If you haven't seen it, the commercial shows a huddle of Cavaliers players ever expanding, growing in Clevelanders rallying to James' call for greatness and togetherness.

It's a powerful piece, as least until players start griping about the number of shots they're getting, or not getting, in David Blatt's offense.

Kyrie Irving looked more interested in playing defense in the first quarter than he did in the previous three seasons combined. 

The Cavs played better defense than offense in the first half. What we saw in the second half defensively -- hey, you might want to cover Carmelo -- is one reason to wonder if they can withstand a great team in the playoffs that's been together for a while (The Bulls and Spurs come to mind).

This was a rough start but not entirely unexpected. Go back and look at how slowly the Heat started in James' first year with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

As I was just saying to my buddy Geraldo.

Gallery preview 

LeBron James' return debut with Cleveland Cavaliers is spoiled: Joe Vardon's instant analysis

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A loss and a frustrating night on the court for LeBron James.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Of all the possible scenarios mapped out for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in their season opener, few could've seen this coming:

An 95-90 loss to the New York Knicks, spoiling James' celebrated return to the franchise in a game where he didn't play well.

James had 17 points, but he shot 5-of-15 and committed eight turnovers. He struggled defensively, too, occasionally losing his man. Carmelo Anthony outdueled him with 25 points.

All of the partying, the hoopla, the James' Nike commercial on The Q's humongotron, the chalk toss -- and much of the energy generated from those things -- was sapped out of the building by the end of the third quarter, as the sold-out crowd of 20,562 couldn't believe what it saw.

Here is an instant, quarter-by-quarter briefing on James' season-opening, return debut with the Cavaliers.

1st Quarter

Stats: 2 pts, 2 rbs, 2 ast, 1-5 FG, 0-1 FT

Highlight: James should've had an easy lay-in for his first points as a Cavalier (again), but his pal Anthony made it tough on him, grabbing James' shoulders on a fastbreak with 6:30 left. Anthony's foul wasn't hard enough to disrupt the layup, but James missed his free throw.

Briefing: More turnovers than points is not good. Three turnovers (he almost had four) to two points for James. Not a memorable first quarter. The boos, though, were reserved for Justin Bieber.

2nd Quarter

Stats: 2 pts, 1 rb, 0 ast, 0-4 FG, 2-2 FT

Highlight: Free throws. Seriously. James knocked down two of them with 4:52 to go.

Briefing: James knew he wasn't playing well and wanted to change it. He threw up a fadeaway with a hand in his face that missed everything for his last shot of the half. One field goal in nine tries; four turnovers in 21 minutes.

3rd Quarter

Stats: 7 pts, 1 rb, 0 ast, 2-3 FG, 2-2 FT

Highlight: After a Knicks basket, Kevin Love grabbed the ball and whipped his in-bounds pass nearly the length of the floor to James for a layup with 3:50 left.

Briefing: A marked improvement over quarters one and two, if that means anything. A 3-pointer at the top of the key with 6:53 remaining was a good sign.

4th Quarter

Stats: 6 pts, 1 rbs, 2 ast, 2-3 FG, 2-2 FT

Highlight: James' driving layup with 44 seconds left kept the game close.

Briefing: The Knicks complete the stunner. James had two more turnovers, including one on an illegal screen with about four minutes left that hurt. Anthony hit a jumper over James with 25 seconds left that hurt, too.

Totals: 17 pts, 5 rbs, 4 ast,  5-15 FG, 6-7 FT, 8 turnovers, 43 mins

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Cleveland Cavaliers scribbles: LeBron James was a mess, and his team not much better -- Terry Pluto

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LeBron James looked tentative and frustrated, and it carried over to his teammates.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cavs notebook after they lost 95-90 to the New York Knicks:

1. Oh, boy. That's was my first thought as this game drifted into the second quarter and the Cavs lost all sense of spacing and ball movement. Part of the problem was LeBron James, whose turnovers (8) nearly matched his assists and rebounds combined (9). James opened 1-of-9 from the field and finished 5-of-15 for a very ugly 17 points. He also seemed frustrated with his own game, and the offense in general.

2. Carmelo Anthony delivered 25 points, most of it against James. He scored nine points in the final period. James scored six, with four turnovers in the quarter. He was so sloppy with his ball handling and passing -- it was shocking to watch him unable to make an impact with any part of his game.

3. Kevin Love opened the game with 12 points in the first quarter (4-of-7 shooting). He had only seven points after that, shooting 2-of-7. Nonetheless, his line of 19 points and 14 rebounds was very respectable. The Cavs seemed to forget about Love, who took only four shots in the second half.

4. The most discouraging part was not the 95 points allowed by the Cavs. It's that a team with so many talented scorers managed only 90 points. It took about a quarter for David Blatt's version of the Princeton offense to fall apart, as the players began to stand around -- and do a lot of pick-and-rolls. Remember, they were playing the Knicks, who had key guys hurt and lost by 34 in Chicago on Wednesday night.

5. Another sad stat was the Cavs being out-rebounded, 35-33. Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson played a combined 47 minutes, but produced only six rebounds. Their job is to hit the boards. Quincy Acy -- all 6-foot-7 of him -- had 10 for the Knicks.

6. Shawn Marion was 0-of-2 in 10 minutes with two rebounds. He really didn't look in very good shape. He seemed slow on defense. Maybe it's just being a bit rusty or something, but Marion also was underwhelming in the preseason, shooting 11-of-31 (.355).

7. Mike Miller played only three minutes, and didn't score. Not sure if he had any physical problems. He seldom sat on the bench, usually was down on one knee. Marion and Miller were supposed to provide veteran help. Perhaps they will. But on this night, Blatt didn't seem to see them as ready. Miller shot only 5-of-23 in the preseason.

8. At the end of the game, Blatt moved Love to center, James to power forward. They went with three guards -- Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Matthew Dellavedova.

9. The best thing you can say is this was only one game -- but what a way to wreck a homecoming! As for James, this was as bad a game as he's played in a long time -- and the fans so wanted him to do something ... anything ... worth cheering about.

10. I liked the pregame introductions. The fans tossing the confetti with James was very cool. Also, how they sang part of the National Anthem with Usher was very nice. Lots of celebrities were shown. I smiled when Joe Haden appeared. He came to a lot of games in the last four years. He is a real Cavs fan. I still remember him wearing a Varejao wig. But after that, not much to smile about.

What Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt had to say after the season-opening loss to the New York Knicks

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Blatt said the lack of bench minutes was something he didn't intend, and he plans to give the reserves more time going forward.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cavaliers coach David Blatt answered questions from the media Thursday night after his team's season-opening 95-90 loss to the New York Knicks at The Q. Here are the highlights of his postgame comments:

Were the emotions of the night a disadvantage?

"I thought we came out with energy. We started well. I don't remember the score, I think it was 31-19, something like that . . I think we spiked at a certain point. We've been thinking about this game and excited about this game for a long time. . . it's been building and building. . . We spiked and then we dropped off the map.

". . . The crowd was fabulous. . . and then we got away from playing."

Lack of assists in the second half

"We got static, without question. We're good when we move the ball. We're really good when we move the ball. When we play without 'ball energy,' as I like to call it, that's what happens."

On LeBron James' play

"First of all, that was an emotional night for him, and he wanted badly to win the game and help the team play well. His effort was there. He efficiency was not what it normally is. We've got to do a better job of getting him things in motion, not playing in static positions and helping him out when he needs it - even a guy like him."

Was the Cavs' defense good enough?

". . . You look at it, you give up 95 points at home, it's a winnable game, even though they shot the ball well and had higher percentages than we've given up all preseason. . . . There are games you have to win with your defense when you're not playing well on offense, and we did not do that."

On the lack of minutes for Shawn Marion and other bench players

"It wasn't by design, it was flow of the game. That's on me. Those guys need to play more."

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LeBron James and the Cavaliers stumble in his homecoming and the team's opener: Bill Livingston

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In a way the Cavs' opener was LeBron James' homecoming game. The New York Knicks spoiled it, and the Cavs have work to do.

CLEVELAND, Ohio –- LeBron James was a prodigy, a savior, a global icon, a one-man economic stimulus package, an accused quitter and traitor, four times an MVP and twice a champion, all before his second coming as the Homecoming King.

He's back, in case you only now awoke from suspended animation, back from Miami with, it was previously believed anyway, his full complement of talents. He looked out from all four sides of the Humongotron (its actual name) replay screen and said before the first game Thursday: "There's no place like home."

Later, portions of the vast thing blinked off, with one whole quadrant of the side that faced the press section as  blank as the answer sheet on a quiz no one was ready for.

The winning New York Knicks are not a good club. Still, the replay board on the partial fritz is as good a picture as any of the 95-90 loss to the Knicks in the season opener.

James had a very difficult night, making only five of 15 shots for 17 points with a stunning eight turnovers. After a strong start, with off-the-ball movement that was crisp and purposeful, the Cavs overpassed (seven times on one possession after the ball was already in the paint, ending in a turnover), defended without vim, and often looked like a team that had only played together for a few weeks.

This is of course exactly what they are. It will take an adjustment period, both for the big board and for play execution to even remotely match expectations.

James' return was more emotional than the last great return to a player's professional roots, Michael Jordan's comeback in Chicago. Jordan took a year off to play minor-league baseball for current Indians manager Terry Francona.

Unlike James, Michael didn't play more successfully elsewhere in the same sport. The slight wasn't as hurtful because Jordan wasn't a native son. Jordan's leaving was strange, not shocking.

For their part in the opener, James was  shocking, too. The Cavs led only by 44-42 at the half. While Kevin Love scored 14 points with nine rebounds, James was making one basket in nine tries. His shot was flat. He seemed out of sync.

Nothing will matter if the team has meshed by the spring, but James' second debut here was flat and the future hope, indeed the projection, of domination looks like it needs time. That is precisely what the Cavs do not have, playing in Chicago Friday night against the second favorites in the East, the Bulls.

There was an Auld Lang Syne touch to the game with the player cast, unsuccessfully it turned out, as James' first great rival, the Knicks' Carmelo Anthony, on the other bench.

Anthony figured in James' only first half basket, a cheap one off a Knick failure to convert LeBron's turnover. James got a basket-hanger off Love's rocketed outlet pass, and 'Melo arrived just in time to be unable to avoid an and-one.

Anthony scored 25 points on 17 shots in the game, though. He drilled a baseline jumper, angling it past the obstructive side of the backboard, against James' strong challenge, for the killer basket that beat back the last Cavs' surge.

James said the turnovers will be  lessened with more familiarity with his teammates. 

Much of shooting is rhythm. James admitted he was out of step all night.

James turned pro out of high school. This homecoming game was as close as he is going to get to 101 courses and spring break. James enjoyed his free agency four years ago so much because it was like being recruited.

He has mentioned many schools favorably – Ohio State, Kentucky (based on his friendship with coach John Calipari), Florida State ... you could have a pretty crazy March Madness just getting to James' Fantasy Final Four.

Now he is back, having proved not to be the migratory messiah critics had thought him, not keeping his talents in South Beach, not forming a new super team with the Clippers or Bulls.

It was in Northeast Ohio that he wanted to raise his family, enlarged last week by the birth of his daughter Zhuri Nova.

Thursday night was supposed to have been for the fans, whose fervor James respects even more after he rekindled it.

James is back for one ring here, 50 years in the pursuit and counting, one worth more to the city and to his legacy than any sought in the fantasy movies by hobbits and elves.

"Obviously it was a special night, not only for myself, but for everybody.  I'm glad it was great," said James. "But I'm also glad it's over."

"Play the game, not the occasion," new coach  Blatt said he told his team before the game.

Not Thursday night. The Cavs lost the homecoming game to a team closer to the Washington Generals than a contender.

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