So the Cleveland Cavaliers have won two in a row and LeBron James seems to be the LeBron we've come to love and know. Is this as good as it gets?
"I'm just getting back into the flow," James said.
In other words, James believes the best is still yet to come -- for him, for the Cavaliers.
"I'm stepping into a new system with new players and learning," he said. "It takes time, even for me, to get the chemistry. It's a process."
Keep in mind James was speaking after compiling 32 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in a 118-111 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. It was another individual performance for the ages, and perhaps James' first in his second stint with the Cavs.
But again, he thinks things can get better.
"I'm not there just yet," he said. "I have a couple more kinks I need to work out. I feel like I'm in the right place right now and I'll make some progress."
James announced his return to Cleveland in July after four straight years of reaching the Finals with the Miami Heat. He knew his patience would be tested with the younger Cavs and their first-year coach, David Blatt. And it's safe to say LeBron's patience has indeed been tested from time to time.
Same goes for Blatt. And perhaps fellow Cavs stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love as well. But because of James' presence and experience, the Cavs (3-3) appear to be a tighter bunch than they've been at any other time in the previous four years -- or even the last time James was in town.
"This is one of the closest teams I've been on, if not the closest team," Irving said. "It makes things easier for everybody."
While the Cavs are becoming more excited with the contributions they receive from everyone -- from Anderson Varejao to Tristan Thompson to Joe Harris and beyond -- how soon they get to where they want to be all starts with No. 23. It starts with the four-time NBA MVP. It starts with James.
"It's easy to overlook that guy because you've come to expect it," Blatt said. "We're getting closer."
Cavs Dribbles
1. In Tuesday's win over the Pelicans, the Cavs posted season-highs in points, field-goal percentage (.494), 3-pointers made (13), 3-point field-goal percentage (.481), points in a half (67, in the second) and assists (27).
2. Four players finished in double figures in scoring: James and Irving with 32 points apiece, and Love (22) and Varejao (12).
3. Read: These are the types of things that happen when the ball moves. And mostly in the case of the Cavs, when really good players begin to adjust to one another.
4. In their last two games (again, both wins), the Cavs have averaged 26,0 assists and just 9.5 turnovers. They committed just 10 turnovers vs. the Pelicans.
5. Another important stat is how well the Cavs are shooting from the free-throw line. They went 25-of-30 on foul shots against the Pelicans and are hitting 82 percent on the year. This could benefit them greatly come playoff time, when physical basketball is the name of the game.
6. The Cavs haven't lost when out-rebounding their opponent. With Love, Varejao, Thompson, Shawn Marion and others, rebounding should always top of the list of the Cavs' many strengths.
7. The Cavs don't play again until Friday at Boston. After that, it's home against Atlanta on Saturday.
