When Wednesday's game was over and the Cavs had overcome a four-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Philadelphia 108-101, most folks were talking about one play made by (surprise) LeBron James.
It happened when he lost control of the ball as he dribbled up court following a steal — it looked from a seat four rows up behind the basket at the other end of the floor that he dribbled it off his foot, but he said he dribbled it off the foot of Andre Iguodala — and the ball rolled into the corner.
The Cavs were down three; the 76ers could have extended the lead with 4:50 or so to go.
Instead, James stepped in front of a pass and then had to chase the ball down in the corner when it hit Iguodala's foot.
He stood there with the ball for a second, then took a three.
It swished.
"That is just incredible," Philadelphia coach Eddie Jordan said.
"For him, it's what he does," Cavs coach Mike Brown said.
From that point, Mo Williams ended an oh-for night by making two jumpers to put the Cavs up five, and they never looked back.
The Cavs had turned a tough game into a nice win. Tough because they should not lose to a 6-19 team, even if it is on the road on the second half of a back-to-back. Nice because they answered a pretty good challenge from Philadelphia.
"No team is below .500 when they play us," James said with a smile.
Perhaps not. Which seems a sign of respect. Because teams only get up for the best teams. After winning 66 games a year ago and brining back the reigning Coach of the Year and MVP and adding Shaquille O'Neal to the mix, the Cavs should expect the best from everyone.
It's easy to wonder why the Cavs aren't dominating teams like they did last season, when James sat out many a fourth quarter. Five of their seven losses have come to teams with a losing record (loss six was close to arriving on Wednesday).
But the important fact is that the Cavs are winning.
They admit they understand each other better, but they also know they have room to grow.
The natural tendency with a local team is to fret about this or that.
Perhaps with the Cavs it's best not to fret too much.
Because it's OK to lose to losing teams in November and December — provided they win in April, May and June.
Cavs are exactly where they should be right now, Pat. Even a bit ahead of my schedule for them. Remember what I said early when you got nervous about the 0-2 start. They will be fine.