Powe bids Boston adieu

Powe had been with the Celtics since they drafted him out of Cal three years ago, but he was not tendered an offer by them after having major knee surgery in the offseason.

“I thought I did everything I could to prove to them that I am loyal and a hard worker,’’ Powe said. “And it didn’t work out. I put that on their heads.’’

Though he has moved, he said Boston will always be a special place for him.

“It’s always tough to leave a team or a place,’’ he said. “The fans grow on you, your teammates grow on you, and I will miss that.’’

In Cleveland, Powe will be reuniting with LeBron James, with whom he played AAU basketball.

“We had great times together,’’ said Powe. “It was a really big stage for us.’’

Powe is still undergoing rehab on his left knee and will begin light running and shooting in the next few weeks. He hopes to be playing by the All-Star break in February.

With Cleveland and Boston looking like favorites in the Eastern Conference, Powe is prepared for the possibility that he sees his old teammates in the playoffs.

“If it happens, it will be fun for me and for the whole organization,’’ he said. “They are a good team, and everyone likes a challenge.’’