Cavs Dribbles: Stress ends, ball moves, Love and others come to life

Random observations on the Cavaliers' 122-119 preseason win (in overtime) over the Heat in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday:

1. Well, thank heavens it's over. Not too many people wanted to be here. That was especially the case for man-in-the-middle LeBron James.

2. Actually, I take that back. Everyone loves Rio. But I'm talking about the actual game. LeBron and the Cavs could have played anyone else. Instead, the league chose the Heat. Now, in the NBA's defense, no one knew who James would choose in free agency when this game was scheduled. But the league knew it was down to Cleveland or Miami. As James hinted a while ago, the league was well aware what it was doing from a marketing standpoint.

3. If James chose the Cavs (he did), then there's a storyline. If he went back to the Heat, the story might not have been as big -- but the Cavs still would've felt spurned by James. So it's a story. Either way, the NBA created an awkward situation for both teams.

4. Leading up to Saturday, you heard the comments from Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and the rest of the Heat. You heard the retort from James. Nothing was drastic; there was no real trash talk. But there was an uneasy feeling all the way around. It wasn't fair to James or his former Heat teammates.

5. I don't know this for certain, but the matchup seemed to have an impact on James' performance. He looked slightly out of sorts (but still doggone good) and wore a look of a guy who wanted to be anywhere but in a gym with Bosh, Wade and some of the others. And frankly, you couldn't blame the guy.

6. OK, I'm done whining. Overall, it was a fun game to watch, and that's often hard to find in the preseason.

7. Perhaps the best news for the Cavs is Kyrie Irving (ankle) didn't play and James was off (2-for-8 shooting for seven points) -- and the Cavs' regulars still cruised to a 59-44 halftime lead. This offense just has SO MANY weapons, as well as a coach who knows how to make everything mesh.

8. Yes, I'm talking about David Blatt. I've watched these Cavs play two meaningless games, and I'd already say he's the most innovative man in Cleveland basketball since Lenny Wilkens. Why do I feel that way? Because the Cavs are moving the ball and taking (and often making) the best of shots. That says a lot when you consider the number of scorers on this team, and how little time Blatt has been given to implement his strategy.

9. Kevin Love finished with 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting and you barely noticed the guy was on the floor. Everything is just so effortless with him. He also grabbed seven rebounds. He's good. No, great.

10. Meanwhile, the Cavs have to be thrilled with what they're seeing from Dion Waiters. I really think his game will show marked improvement, that he's a potential All-Star. Waiters compiled 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, threw a sweet pass to LeBron for a fast-break dunk, and swatted a Wade layup at the halftime buzzer. In this offense, with these teammates, Waiters is on his way.

11. Of course, we can't forget about Anderson Varejao. He was unstoppable in his homeland early, and that had to feel awesome. Varejao is all arms, legs, floppy hair and effort. On this day, he was also a scorer in the truest sense. He compiled 12 points by halftime (finishing with 14) -- drawing loud cheers with every made shot.

12. The list doesn't end there. Tristan Thompson may be the Cavaliers' starting center, and he deserves every bit of consideration. He already seems to understand his role as an energy player who has to defend and make the most of his limited shot attempts. He really looks like a different player. Thompson hustled his way to 18 points and nine rebounds.

13. Thompson has looked fantastic in practice, too. Every time you look up, said one observer, Tristan is grabbing another rebound.

14. For the record, Lou Amundson has been absolute beast at practice as well.

15. This Heat team is going to struggle. Preseason or not, they look old and slow -- and other than Bosh and Chris Andersen, lack competent big men. And they don't have LeBron anymore.

16. Finally, Matthew Dellavedova did a nice job running the team in Irving's absence. As I wrote earlier, Dellavedova is this year's version of Norris Cole for LeBron.

17. Third-string point guard A.J. Price added 12 points for the Cavs and rookie shooter Joe Harris scored 11. Shawn Marion scored four and looked otherwise good.

18. Bosh led the Heat with 19 points, and Wade contributed 12. Former Cavs forward Luol Deng added eight. Also, rookie point guard Shabazz Napier went for 16, keeping the Heat in it at the end. Napier won a national championship at UConn and compiled a plus-minus rating of plus-12 on Saturday.