Random dribbles on the Cavaliers' 110-101 win at Denver on Friday, and the overall state of things:
1. It was a landslide, it wasn't always pretty and it wasn't a great opponent. But the Cavs finally displayed the type of ball movement and confidence (and maybe even a little cockiness) that we expected.
2. I love how LeBron James (22 points, 11 assists) approached the game with the look of a champion. There was a lot of outside noise leading into this one, and LeBron just laughed it off, came out looking cool, and meticulously buried the Nuggets. Younger players such as Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and others may still be adjusting to media/fans being in their business. But LeBron is an old pro, and it showed. The great ones just have a way of tuning out everything and dominating.
3. It's funny how much a victory, any victory, can completely change the outlook of a team. Yes, it was just the Nuggets. No, the Nuggets did not have point guard Ty Lawson, their leading scorer. But either way, the Cavs will take it. They led from start to finish, and while they took their foot off the pedal in the fourth quarter (something that will need rectified), a win is a win is a win. And the Cavs got to return home feeling good.
4. I thought Irving (12 points, six assists) played one of his best games as a pro. He did what every good point guard is supposed to do -- by starting out looking for his teammates and creating for them first. He then filled in and "got his" when the defense sort of forgot about him and focused on James and Kevin Love (19 points, eight rebounds).
5. All young players should watch Kyrie handle the ball. It's simply remarkable. He is the perfect example of the idea that if you can dribble well enough, you can get wherever you want to go on the court. And it didn't happen by accident. Growing up, Irving was never without a basketball. He remains very dedicated in that area today.
6. I also thought Dion Waiters (17 points, 6-of-14 shooting) was fantastic. That was the type of game the Cavs need from him. Yes, he forced some shots. But big deal. That's what scorers do. The Cavs don't want him to stop being a scorer, they just want him to pick his spots. He came closer to that Friday. The key is to do it consistently.
7. I still would rather see Waiters back in the starting lineup over Shawn Marion. It seemed too soon for Coach David Blatt to alter things after just three games. You don't want to lose Waiters. Give it a chance.
8. That said, Marion (10 points, six rebounds) had a very underrated game. I've always been a big fan, especially with how he's adapted his game in the post-Matrix era of unmatched athleticism. He's a highly intelligent player and remains an outstanding wing defender.
9. Anderson Varejao (15 points, seven boards) and Tristan Thompson (12 and five) also put together underrated performances near the basket. Basically, again, this was a lot closer to what we expect from the Cavs, and Varejao and Thompson were just two more examples of it.
10. Blatt also seemed to be much more comfortable with using his bench, which is a good thing. I loved how he used rookie Joe Harris and newcomer Will Cherry. Each played just more than 2 minutes apiece, and that's OK. They don't 25 minutes. Just get them in long enough to get a feel for the game, to build some confidence, and to give your main guys a rest. I loved seeing those two on the floor.
11. I also loved seeing James tweeting to fans after the game. His first one read: "Home sweet home finally! Finished the trip on a positive note, but so much more work to do! All good though, it's part of the process."
12. He followed that one with this: "Can't wait to get back on our home floor and see our fans Monday night. By the way I owe y'all one. #TheLand #StriveForGreatness"
13. LeBron is right -- the Cavs do in fact have "so much more work" in front of them. But he's talking about a championship. Until then, fans really should just relax (as LeBron also suggested in a tweet) and enjoy the ride. It may not come together right now, but so what? As long as this team has its act together in the second half, really cool things should happen.
14. As James said, the Cavs (2-3) return home Monday for a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Third-year Pelicans center Anthony Davis is considered an MVP candidate by some. Tip-off is 7 p.m. on FOX Sports Ohio.
