Cavaliers 87, Bobcats 72

The arena, so rowdy and rambunctious in seasons past, washalf-filled and as quiet as it had been in years. There were nogravity-defying dunks or flames shooting from the scoreboard, andthe only pregame powder toss took place 1,200 miles away.

In Miami, LeBron James started anew Nike KD 6 Shoe Factory Outlet.

In Cleveland, the Cavaliers started over.

Daniel Gibson scored 18 points and J.J. Hickson added 17 as theCavs, under new coach Byron Scott, moved a little further away fromJames' imposing shadow by opening the preseason with an 87-72victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night.

For seven seasons, the Cavs' world revolved around James. He waseverything to them, and his absence was impossible to ignore.

''It wasn't strange at all, it's home,'' said Jamario Moon, whoadded 10 rebounds and three blocks. ''We were anxious to get outthere and show that basketball is still alive in Cleveland.''

D Discount Jordans For Sale.J. Augustin scored 14 points and Tyrus Thomas had 11 pointsand nine rebounds for Charlotte, which scored just 25 points in thesecond half.

Ramon Sessions added 11 points and five assists for theCavs.

It was Cleveland's first home game since Game 5 of last season'splayoffs, when a disinterested James, on the eve of his free agencyexit, missed 11-of-14 shots and was visibly out of sorts in a120-88 loss to the Boston Celtics - the Cavs' most lopsided ever inthe postseason.

James left for the Heat two months later, crushing the hopes ofCleveland fans who figured he would stay around long enough to wina title.

Now, they'll chase a championship without the two-time leagueMVP and leading scorer in team history.

It's going to be tough.

As James was making his preseason debut in Florida, the Cavsmoved into an era of uncertainty with a revamped roster that onlyincludes a handful of holdovers from a team that had the NBA's bestregular-season record the past two years.

There were few reminders of James' seven seasons in Cleveland -the best run the Cavs ever enjoyed. Moon moved into No. 23's oldcorner cubicle in Cleveland's locker room, and there are stillmurals of James on the corridor walls inside Quicken LoansArena.

On the floor, it was another story.

James accounted for nearly 30 points, eight or nine rebounds,seven or so assists and a handful of highlights per game. It'sgoing to take several Cavs to fill those voids.

Scott is still learning about his players - and vice versa - andhe intends to use a variety of starting lineups throughout theexhibition season.

He's currently missing two definite starters as Mo Williamsremains sidelined with a groin injury and forward Anderson Varejaohas not yet returned from Brazil following his grandfather's death.Scott experimented throughout the game, mixing and matching to seewhat would work.

One lineup featured the 6-foot-9 Hickson at center.

''I love the flexibility we have,'' Scott said. ''Our bigs arenot big big.''

Bobcats coach Larry Brown knows his team isn't ready for theregular season.

''We're not in great shape, not as good a shape as they are,''Brown said. ''We've got a lot of work to do, a lot of work, butthat's what exhibition games are for.''

Brown was without regulars Gerald Henderson (strainedhamstring), Shaun Livingston (sore knee), DeSagana Diop (personal)and Kwame Brown (ankle sprain).

Notes: As the Cavs showered and dressed afterward, the finalminutes of Miami's game vs. Detroit played on the locker room TVs.... Browns QB Seneca Wallace attended the game. .. Kobe 9 Elite. The Cavs hostWashington and rookie John Wall on Thursday. ... The Hornets playOklahoma City on Wednesday in Fayetteville, N.C.