The newest member of the Cavs said that was a good thing.

"If he would have said no," Williams said, "I think I'd (still) be in Milwaukee."

He's probably right, too. James now has a high-scoring running mate in Williams, who can also relieve some of the former's playmaking duties.

A notorious Cavs' killer over the years, Williams will now take over the starting job at point guard. The lowly Bucks won three of four games against the Cavs last year, as Williams averaged 26 points, 9.0 assists and 6.3 rebounds. He shot 50 percent from the field (34 of 68).

"Now you can quit torching us and torch someone else," Cavs coach Mike Brown said.

He's been a prolific scorer at every level he's played. NBA scouts, though, have questioned his defensive prowess. Brown said he has no misgivings about Williams' defense.

"He has the ability to impact the game on the defensive end of floor," he said.

He bristled at the media's depiction of him not being a good defender.

"The media has talked enough," he said. "Actions speak louder than words. It has been kind of different the last few years for me in terms of defense. I have the gifts to do it. You've got to want to do it. You've got to have the mentality to do it. I think you have to be focused. I got away from that the last few years, for whatever reasons."

If he doesn't show effort on the defensive end, he'll soon find out that his minutes will be cut. One thing that has helped Brown nurture his defensive culture is that James has bought into it.

The Cavs have been searching for a small, quick guard to defend other diminutive guards in the league. Williams might fit the bill there.

"This is something that we haven't had here," Brown said. "Mo is extremely quick. He brings another dimension to us. It will only help our defense."