Early Returns

Over this past weekend, there was a tangible energy at The Q and around the city for the Cavaliers that hasn’t been there since the Finals last June. Cleveland was quietly putting together another great season – trade or no trade. But, after Thursday’s blockbuster, it sure feels like there’s renewed juice for the Wine and Gold heading into the homestretch.

Friday’s crowd was off the chain as the Cavaliers turned in one of the more valiant performances of the season. It was an affirmation of their resiliency – knocking off their back-to-back playoff nemeses with eight bodies. After the 90-89 thriller, Coach Mike Brown stated it plainly …

“I’ve said this a million times but LeBron James is the MVP,” said Brown. “I don’t have a strong enough voice, I guess. He was spectacular. He was phenomenal in every category from the offensive end to the defensive end of the floor.”

Kobe Bryant is having another accomplished season and Chris Paul might be having a better one. But nobody has done more heavy lifting than LeBron this year. Night after night, he puts the team on his back and does so selflessly, brilliantly. Even his statistics – which are prolific – don’t tell the full story of why the young King is the league’s best and most valuable player.

Before Thursday’s trade, the Cavaliers had 11 players having missed a combined 120 games this season due to injury. Last week, Daniel Gibson went down for 4-6 weeks and Anderson Varejao hasn’t played since January 27.

But on Sunday, the injury story thankfully went to the back burner. In what would have been a relatively meaningless matchup with Memphis, the new-look Cavaliers breathed new life into their season and the city.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was on hand to witness the fruits of his and the Cavaliers front office’s deadline deal.

“We’re building this into the franchise that people in Cleveland want and deserve,” said Gilbert. “You put in $375 million for a franchise and break even for a couple years, you can’t start getting cheap now. It’s like pounding the rock 99 times and walking away.”

The new Cavaliers were obviously moved by the Wine and Gold welcome. Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West come from a cellar-dweller to a team that is suddenly being mentioned in the same breath as the Celtics and Pistons. (West was shocked at the group of reporters gathered around his locker postgame yesterday. “It’s been like four months since anybody wanted to talk to me,” he joked.)

“I was in the playoffs my first five years in the league, and I wanted to get back there,” beamed Szczerbiak when he arrived on Friday night. “So just by a few minutes at the Trade Deadline, I have the opportunity to get back. And I’m so grateful for it. It’s a blessing and I’m looking forward to working hard and taking advantage of it.”

The Seattle duo didn’t fare as well as their counterparts from Chicago, but still had some nice moments. West was 2-for-12 from the floor but still managed six dimes, including a sweet alley-oop to LeBron. Wally was 2-for-4 from beyond the arc, netting 10 points off the bench.

The Chicago side of the blockbuster deal was as advertised or better. Ben Wallace and Joe Smith were a combined 11-for-14 from the floor. Wallace scored a season-high 12 points – most on uncontested dunks – and doubled-up with 10 boards. Big Ben has a new lease on life without having to play straight center.

“In Chicago, I was locked at the ‘5’ all the time, not having the opportunity to get out on the floor and disrupt the offense,” said Wallace. “I think that’s one of my strengths. Now I’m going to have that opportunity.”

For all the dunks and rebounds Wallace netted on Sunday, a five-second backcourt call might have gotten him more amped than anything else.

Joe Smith was all smiles from the minute he emerged from the locker room and his Cleveland reception – (and in-game production) – kept that grin on the 12-year veteran’s face all night.

“Man I had a lot of fun,” said Smith. “I always try to play with a smile on my face but tonight I couldn’t help but to laugh a few times. I had a lot of fun out there on the floor and playing with guys like LeBron makes the game so much easier, it makes the game fun.”

Of course, it won’t always be this smooth for the new-look Cavaliers. A lot of teams have found their chemistry against the 14-42 Grizzlies. Against the 42-12 Boston Celtics – who the Wine and Gold face on Wednesday – not so much.

The Cavaliers will face the Celtics just once more. But they’ll see Detroit three more times this season, and Chicago, four more.

All three opponents should provide some major fireworks – especially the battles with the Bulls.

On Sunday night, Larry Hughes and a headband-less Drew Gooden made their debuts for Chicago. Hughes was 6-for-11 for 13 points; Gooden 4-for-11 for 12 points and eight boards. Both players came off the bench.

Compared to the quotes from the new Cavaliers and their teammates, Chicago’s Ben Gordon had this to say about his five-point performance in the Bull’s 13-point loss to Houston, the league’s hottest team.

"We've got new guys in and there wasn't much chemistry," said Gordon. "It was difficult and a tough night for me to get my rhythm."

Something tells me Gordon will find that rhythm when he and his new teammates square off against the Wine and Gold. The first meeting with the Bulls is an afternoon affair on March 2 at The Q. The two clash four days later in the Windy City.

The Cavaliers have two big Eastern Conference road games and a matchup with Minnesota on Friday in Cleveland to worry about before squaring off against their old friends. And despite Sunday’s blowout over Memphis, there are plenty of kinks to work out. Of course, having LeBron smoothes out some rough edges.

Before yesterday’s ballgame, one reporter (began to) ask LeBron: “If this deal doesn’t work out …” but that’s as far as the question got before being stopped cold by James.

“It’s going to work,” he asserted. (And the man is nothing, if not assertive.)

The second game in the new era of Cavaliers basketball tips off on Tuesday. Stay tuned – this season is just getting good.