National Basketball Association

LeBron showers greatness on plain old Cavs scrimmage

Published Oct. 1, 2014 10:08 p.m. ET

foxsports

CLEVELAND -- It was just a practice, and that has to be considered. These Cleveland Cavaliers aren't a finished product.

But what fans witnessed during LeBron James' return to Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday night was something extraordinary, the type of basketball these parts haven't seen since the last time James was here.

It was called the Wine & Gold Scrimmage, and the Cavs put it on every season. (Check out photos here.) But it never has been quite like this.

You can start with LeBron, because that is the main reason for the Cavs' new reality. Right away, he took charge. Actually, it was prior to right away. It was before tip when new Cavs coach David Blatt spoke with his star about how to approach the night.

"LeBron as the leader of the team took it from there," Blatt said.

And how did that feel for the first-time coach?

"Makes me feel great," Blatt said, smiling widely.

That was LeBron the assistant coach, or player-coach, or whatever you want to call it. Then he stepped on the floor and turned into basketball superstar and did what he always does.

He slammed home two dunks. He twisted his way to a Michael Jordan-esque reverse layup in traffic. He snapped passes to teammates for easy baskets.

You almost forgot Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were even out there, and they too were fairly remarkable. They too made you think this season's All-Star Game will take on a Cavs-heavy feel. And it took all of about five minutes of a meaningless scrimmage to think that way.

Everyone, clearly, played to their strengths -- and LeBron's presence, clearly, was the biggest reason why.

Of course, the 16,000 or so in attendance didn't just get to see James (13 points) at his training camp best. They were able to see Irving bury five of his first seven shots with the greatest of ease. Or Love pull down six rebounds in traffic, as if he placed one magnet on the ball and another on his hands.

Also, as James noted, no one in the NBA throws a better outlet pass than Love. "No one," James said, repeating for effect.

Perhaps more remarkable than James, Love and Irving doing what they've always done, was the fact Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson -- both of whom started alongside the Big Three on the Wine team -- looked better than ever.

Waiters and Irving meshed seamlessly as starters (always a big question among fans), and Thompson was rewarded with hustle plays and by being in the right spot at the right time. It's something that didn't happen too often, or at least often enough, when Irving and Waiters and Thompson teamed up as Cavs in each of the past two seasons.

But sprinkle in lots of LeBron and a little Love, and what do you know? Suddenly, the young holdovers appear ultra-talented, with lively legs, and ready to win.

The list goes on and on. Mike Miller was lethal from the outside. Anderson Varejao scooped in shots near the basket. Shawn Marion defended and ran the floor. And yes, Brendan Haywood continued to show he may be the pick-setting, protector of the basket this team needs.

It was just a practice, without a doubt. But one day before, when fans had yet to be given a chance to witness this group together, James promised that everything was going great.

"What's not to like?" he asked, unknowingly borrowing a phrase once made popular by owner Dan Gilbert's son, Nick. That was back in 2011, when the Cavs won the draft lottery and chose Irving.

Now, it refers to this team, this second LeBron era, which features many more reasons for hope than anything fans saw the first time. And finally, fans actually got to see it. Now perhaps they can finally believe, because frankly, they should.

More from FOX Sports Ohio:

Belichick gives another classic press conference

Giants slay another NL Central foe, reach NLDS

NFL consensus power rankings: New No. 1