CLEVELAND -- Cavaliers coach Byron Scott and his players have tried to downplay the significance of tonight's matchup with the Miami Heat in LeBron James' first game in The Q since he left for South Beach last summer. They insist it's just another game, the 18th game in the regular season. But occasionally they can't help but admit the...
CLEVELAND -- Cavaliers coach Byron Scott and his players have tried to downplay the significance of tonight's matchup with the Miami Heat in LeBron James' first game in The Q since he left for South Beach last summer. They insist it's just another game, the 18th game in the regular season.
But occasionally they can't help but admit the obvious.
''It probably is the biggest 18th game in NBA history,'' Scott said with a smile.
"It's almost like your ex-girlfriend coming to your wedding,''
Mo Williams said. Williams, an Atlanta Braves fan inexplicably wearing a Boston Red Sox jersey, deflected most questions of a personal nature about James, while Daniel Gibson, who worked out with James in the days leading up to The Decision, did think James was returning.Both players said they had not talked to James but would remain friends with him _ just not during the game. They also understand how Cleveland will react tonight, but urge caution.
"I think they'll be extra hostile, and I understand that, but I think we should keep it safe,'' Williams said. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. I think we should try to let those words hurt a little bit, but try to keep the sticks and stones away.''
Said Gibson to the fans, "Pretty much anything goes a long as you don't take it too far.''