Cavaliers forward LeBron James has a message for the Cleveland fans: "Buckle your seatbelts."

It's no longer about making the playoffs for the Cavs. That's a given, even in the bunched-up Eastern Conference. Anything short of an NBA championship will be a disappointment.

"We came close," James said. "I got a little taste of it when we won the Eastern Conference championship (in 2007). I need more and the fans need more. They deserve it."

The addition of guard Mo Williams has sent a lightning bolt through the fan base and the organization. Finally, many think James has his sidekick. Williams is encouraged by the title talk.

"That enlightens me," Williams said. "Not just LeBron, but Boobie (Daniel Gibson), Delonte (West), Ben (Wallace) and Z (Zydrunas Ilgauskas), these guys are saying, 'I haven't felt like this about this team in a while.' The mental aspect of what we're trying to do is better than it's been for years."

He was traded to the Cavs on Aug. 13. He became the immediate starter at point guard and should offset the scoring load put on James' shoulders.

The Cavs also re-signed free agent guards Delonte West and Daniel "Boobie" Gibson in a productive offseason for general manager Danny Ferry. They added rookie big men J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson (the latter will miss the start of the season because of a broken left wrist).

James said the 2008-09 Cavs are the best team on which he's played. He likes the team's depth and talent.

He said he's come back this year a better player. Remember, he was a first-team All-NBA choice last year and led the league in scoring at 30 points per game.

"Me as an individual, I've improved five times since Game 7 of the Boston series," James said. "It's not about making the playoffs anymore for our team. It's about winning a championship."

Playing with Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony for much of the summer in the Olympics took his game to a new level.

"There's no way you can't get better," he said. "If you can go out and lead guys who are already established, guys who won NBA championships, scoring titles, MVPs and Rookies of the Year, then I should be able to lead Daniel Gibson."

The Cavs have a veteran-laden team that is overloaded with talent in the backcourt. If they get an injury to one of their veterans up front -- Ilgauskas, Wallace or key backup Anderson Varejao -- that would prove costly.

COACHING STAFF: Head Coach -- Mike Brown, 4th year overall, 4th with Cavs (145-101). Assistants -- John Kuester, Hank Egan, Melvin Hunt, Michael Malone, Chris Jent.

LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 45-37 (2nd in Central), lost in Eastern Conference semifinals to eventual champion Boston, 4-3.

THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 55-27 (first in Central), they'll lose in the NBA Finals to New Orleans.

POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: Mike Brown is removing the shackles from the team and is actually encouraging it to run. They have added much speed and athleticism in Mo Williams, and they want to take advantage of it. Williams will run the offense and James can be a finisher and just run the floor -- both strengths.