Just like every team, even that one in Miami, the Cavs have a series of questions they'll begin to explore starting with the first practice.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Complete with a new coach, general manager and new uniforms, the Cavaliers start a new era Monday when they start training camp. But it won't have the enthusiasm that such re-branding often comes with because, whether most players choose to speak his name or not, it really is the uncertain beginning of the post-LeBron James period.
Nonetheless, everyone is compelled to get on with their NBA lives. Just like every team, even that one in Miami, the Cavs have a series of questions they'll begin to explore starting with the first practice.
Here's at look at the top five issues as they head into camp:
1. Whose team is it?
Since 2004-05, the captain and leader was James. With former coach Mike Brown endorsing it, James expanded that into an all-encompassing position as of last season. Two years ago Ben Wallace played a significant role as part of Brown's veteran "committee." By last season, however, those in the locker room would tell you there was James alone running the show. Even Shaquille O'Neal, the four-time champ, saw the landscape and took a backseat.
In retrospect, that was one of the reasons why when James seemed to develop a still-bizarre malaise in the playoffs, there wasn't much of a recourse behind closed doors.
Now that is all gone and there's a void. Without a doubt, much of it will be filled by Byron Scott, who operates with a completely different approach than Brown. Until further notice, he will be the voice of the Cavs.
But, of course, players need to grasp leadership roles. It would make the most sense that veterans and former All-Stars Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams take charge. Both may intend to, but it remains to be seen whether that can effectively happen.
Jamison does not have a strong personality. During his career, he has always been on teams with bigger stars and bigger personalities such as Dirk Nowitzki, Gilbert Arenas and James. It would be a different challenge calling for him to take control in the locker room.
Then there's Williams, who does have a leadership personality. The question is whether he has the right mindset. He admitted in an interview last week that he was badly shaken by James' departure and it didn't sound as if he'd moved on yet. Then he said on his Twitter feed that he was experiencing some of the worst times of his life heading into camp.
Beyond standard X-and-O issues, this is one of the biggest topics for the Cavs to handle.
2. Will running work?
New Cavaliers coach Byron Scott has made clear his belief in an uptempo offense. Will a lineup lacking a superstar be able to make it work?When coaches say in the off-season that they're going to run more, it sometimes falls into the same trap as New Year's resolutions. It is common not to follow up on those plans when the first turbulence arrives.
Scott has said he intends to have his team push the tempo and that he's going to want two quick ball handlers in the game at the same time to facilitate it. That is one of the reasons the Cavs traded for Ramon Sessions.
To his credit, Scott was a member of the Showtime Lakers and knows what it means to run. Also he's made it clear that the players will run from the first day, a sign he's serious. Scott has a history of sticking to his preseason game plan through thick and thin, something he's actually been criticized for at times.
It isn't that the Cavs are going to fast break every possession, but they will attempt to play at a higher pace and increase the number of possessions per game. Last season, even when they were one of the best offensive teams in the league, the Cavs ranked in the bottom five in pace for much of the season.
Scott's strategy can be dangerous. There may be some nights when that style gets you blown out, especially on the road. But playing this way has plenty of advantages if it is done properly.
3. Is there enough size?
This is Scott's biggest concern as he looks at his roster. With O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas leaving in free agency, the Cavs lost their top two centers from last season. When you subtract James from the mix, it means there's 19 rebounds per game to replace.
Can Anderson Varejao survive as the Cavaliers' most experienced big man?Anderson Varejao has shown in the past that he can effectively play the center position. But he's undersized against some of the league's top big men and there's a question as to how much support he's going to have.
The Cavs traded for 7-footer Ryan Hollins, who has shown toughness during his five-year career, but he's not a good rebounder. The team's power forwards -- J.J. Hickson, Leon Powe and Jamison -- could all be considered somewhat undersized.
4. Can J.J. Hickson be a star?
For two years, the Cavs have made Hickson nearly untouchable in trades because of their belief in his potential. That will now be put to the test.
The highly athletic Hickson has developed nicely and is less than a month past his 22nd birthday. He's going to get a lot of minutes, a lot of shots and a lot of attention. The Cavs lost the best scorer in team history and must make that up somewhere and Hickson is the main candidate.
He's worked on a mid-range jumper in the off-season and if he can hit it with consistency, he could average 20 points a game. But consistency has always been an issue, especially when it comes to mental mistakes. Now, he'll have less margin for error.
5. Who plays small forward?
The Cavs are only attempting to replace one of the best in the history of the game and the two-time Most Valuable Player, so no big deal. The pickings, at least right now, are frankly slim.
It's a three-man race between Jamario Moon, Joey Graham and Jawad Williams. None of them are expected to be impact scorers, so it will come down to what else they can do. Moon and Graham have a history as good defenders and Williams has the most offensive skill. Much of the preseason may be devoted to picking a starter here. Between the three, though, they have 219 career starts.
There's also a chance Scott will consider playing Jamison at small forward in certain situations.