NBA PLAYOFFS

James begins new quest for Cavs

Cleveland forward LeBron James won two NBA titles with Miami, but now the four-time MVP is focused on leading the Cavaliers to their first championship.
Cleveland forward LeBron James won two NBA titles with Miami, but now the four-time MVP is focused on leading the Cavaliers to their first championship.

CLEVELAND -- LeBron James' homecoming season with the Cavaliers went up, down and sometimes sideways, like three seasons rolled into one.

The fourth is about to begin. It's the only one that matters.

James has his sights set on another NBA title, and if he can capture it over the next two months he'll not only add to his already brilliant career but end Cleveland's title drought that dates to 1964.

The pursuit begins Sunday when the Cavs open the Eastern Conference playoffs at home against Boston, a familiar opponent -- and a fitting one -- for James, who has played the Celtics 25 times in the postseason. James' first stint in Cleveland ended with a loss to the Celtics in the second round, and as he stomped off the floor in Boston's TD Garden after Game 6, he memorably yanked off his Cavaliers jersey, a final act before his exit to Miami.

"They beat us that series and it stuck with me a lot," James said. "I'm looking forward to this series coming up."

Five years later, James has come full circle. He is a two-time champion, more mature and still the game's best all-around player.

His first regular season back in Cleveland was an 82-game thrill ride from the start.

The Cavs entered the year with huge expectations as the arrivals last summer of James and Kevin Love, teamed with All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, gave Cleveland a "Big 3" to rival any in the league. But things didn't go as planned as James fought nagging back and knee injuries and the Cavs staggered to a 19-20 start, raising eyebrows and bringing scrutiny on Coach David Blatt in his first season.

But bolstered by the additions of J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov in trades, the Cavs went 34-9 after Jan. 15 and secured the East's No. 2 seed.

It's not the assumed journey, but James, who took two weeks off in January to heal, is pleased where it brought the Cavs.

"For everything that we've went through as far as personnel changes, I think it's been a pretty good regular season," he said. "I wouldn't say great. I'm not satisfied. I'm never satisfied."

Expect a more focused, a more committed James with the playoffs beginning. In 158 career playoff games, he's averaged 28 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists. He's had memorable performances, including the 48-point masterpiece in 2007 against Detroit when he scored Cleveland's last 25 points and 29 of the final 30.

"Mentally and emotionally he'll lead the way, but this all can't be on LeBron," Blatt said. "This is a team and a team effort, and everyone here has to do his part. The good news is he's a guy that's done it, been there and led teams to the ultimate."

Cavs forward Mike Miller has seen the change in James when it comes to the postseason.

"He's a little more focused," said Miller, who spent three season with James in Miami. "You've got a little more time between games to get focused, so it gives him the ability to lock into what the other team is doing and who he's playing against."

There were growing pains as James learned to play alongside Love and Irving, both playoff first-timers. It may have taken longer than expected, but the stars have seemingly aligned although there remains uncertainty about the future for Love, who can opt out of his contract this summer.

For now, they are united to make a run at a title.

Blatt, who seemed disconnected with James during stretches of the season, can't wait to see what No. 23 looks like in the playoffs.

"We will probably see another level because that's what he does," Blatt said. "It's why he's the superstar that he is and why he's the champion that he is."

Sports on 04/18/2015

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