Cavaliers planning a coup against NBA kings

Kevin Garnett (left) and Cleveland's LeBron James embrace before the Celtics beat the Cavaliers in preseason action. (Charles Krupa/Associated Press)

PROVIDENCE - Hey, Celtics, Cavaliers newcomer Mo Williams has something to say and you can "take that how you want." More than anything else, Williams and "King James" are talking about pushing you off your newly acquired throne.

The Celtics got their first chance to see the Cavaliers' upgraded backcourt of superstar LeBron James and Williams in preseason action last night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

And while talk is cheap right now, expect the reigning NBA champs to listen since the new James-Williams tandem is definitely talented enough to speak volumes come playoff time.

"That's all we talk about," Williams said before the Celtics beat the Cavaliers, 96-94, in an exhibition game. "That's all we talk about. You got to knock the king off the throne. And I'm playing with the king, so you can take that how you want."

Celtics nation might be asking: Who the heck is Mo Williams? Well, the Mississippi native who played in obscurity in Utah and Milwaukee is definitely someone the Celtics are very familiar with and respectful of. Williams also could be the X-factor Cleveland needs to truly threaten the champs.

"He's a great addition to our team," said James, who posted 15 points in 13 minutes last night. "Going against him four times last year, he completely destroyed us. Now, he is completely going to destroy other people."

Williams, acquired by Cleveland via trade in the offseason, averaged 17.2 points, a career-high 6.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.5 rebounds per game for Milwaukee last season. He also shot a career-high .385 percent from 3-point range. The 6-foot-1-inch, 185-pounder also scored a season-high 37 points against Cleveland Feb. 26.

Last night, Williams had 10 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes.

Williams will threaten opposing defenses by pushing the ball hard on fast breaks. He will get open and easy shots when James is double-teamed or passing during a drive. While the Cavaliers would love for James to score close to 30 points per game, it's not necessary with Williams around.

The Cavaliers will also at times use an interesting perimeter lineup with James, Williams, and 3-point threat Daniel Gibson, which they experimented with last night against Boston.

"Anything you can do to relieve [James] or give him some rest helps," Williams said. "He's asked to do a lot of things. Don't think for a second that because I'm here he's not going to be asked to do those same things. At times, I can relieve him of doing those things on a night-in and night-out basis.

"We don't really need him to exert all that energy. It wears on you. It wears you down the latter part of the season. We need to have him as fresh the latter part of the season as possible."

Probably the biggest concern about James and Williams is health.

James admitted he is still tired from the Olympics and didn't begin working out for this season until mid-September. An NBA source said Williams is about 85 percent recovered from sports hernia surgery over the summer. Starting and aging big men Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Ben Wallace are always on health alert, too.

"Injury-free, we can be really good," James said.

Noted Williams: "I'm just bringing my game. Doing what I do. This team was already [talented] before I got there. What I bring to the table will only make us better if I'm healthy and productive."

The Cavaliers are one talented post scorer away from being a dangerous NBA power. Don't be surprised if sharpshooter Wally Szczerbiak, who is in the last year of a contract that pays $13.2 million this season, is used as bait to get that needed big man before the All-Star break. The Cavaliers are also high on athletic rookie forward J.J. Hickson, whom they hope can be a factor come the postseason.

But even without that needed inside punch, James believes the Cavaliers are better now than they have ever been since he arrived as the No. 1 pick in 2003. And that includes the 2007 Eastern Conference champion squad.

"I'm motivated," James said. "This is the best chance that we've had since I've been on this team. We have guys that can come in at every position on the court. It's great to have this team."

Surely, adding fuel to the current NBA kings' fire is what King James and Williams have been talking about constantly. And the Celtics should expect the trash talk to get louder since the Cavaliers - and everyone else - yearn to wear that shiny crown.

"Obviously, you want to try to get better every year," Williams said. "And another thing is you want to knock off the champion. They are our main target."