I think LeBron has moved on from his famous speech when he signed with Miami. The King is downplaying the title aspirations of the Cavaliers this season. First, he spoke about team chemistry being the first priority and that the team needs to grow. Now, despite beating the Chicago Bulls in pre-season, he says that the Bulls are still better.

He did say that beforehand though.

LEBRON: BULLS ARE BETTER THAN CAVS (AFTER WINNING 107-98)

Pre-game LeBron James said that the Chicago Bulls were the better team when asked to compare the Cavs and the Bulls.

Then Cleveland beat Chicago 107-98 a mere two-and-a-half hours later at Ohio State’s campus.

Via the Northeast Ohio Media Group: (yep, it’s a tad dated) 

“It’s going to be fun. I don’t really see a rivalry renewed right now,” James said after shootaround this morning. “We haven’t done anything right now. They’re a team that’s much better than us right now just off chemistry. They’ve been together for a while. The system has been there for a while. So, we have a long way to go.”  

Monday’s preseason contest will be a nice preview of things to come, but James, playing his final preseason game this evening, says it’s also important to make it out of the game uninjured. […] “Just get out healthy,” James said and proceeded to knock on the wooden floor. “Just get out the game healthy. Gets some conditioning, get some camaraderie with my teammates. Get some rhythm. But get out of the game healthy for all of us.” 

“A preseason game is not going to make our chemistry be where we want it to be,” he said. “It’s going to take regular-season games, it’s going to take some losses, it’s going to take some practices, some film sessions for all of us to get on the same page.” 

PG24 SHOOTING JUMPERS 

Three months removed from his horrific leg break, and Indiana Pacers’ Paul George is shooting jump shots again.

George, who broke his leg in the USA intersquad scrimmage on August 1, before the FIBA World Cup, was shooting three-pointers and mid-range J’s in the Pacers gym.

George will miss this season though, allowing him time to recover.

Via ESPN:

The video, credited to Vigilant Sports, shows George shooting 3-pointers and midrange jumpers in a gym after practice.

George, who was injured during a televised Team USA intrasquad scrimmage on Aug. 1, said recently that he plans to play at some point during this NBA season.

He was cleared to put weight on the leg and engage in upper-body work in late September.

A two-time All-Star, George has missed no fewer than three games in any season since the start of 2011-12. He averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals last year, the second straight season in which the Pacers fell in the Eastern Conference finals.

RONDO READY FOR SEASON OPENER?

Good news for Boston Celtics fans as Rajon Rondo could be ready for their season opener with the Brooklyn Nets on October 29.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens is confident, but Rondo himself though remains cautious.

“I don’t know. I still haven’t had any contact yet,” Rondo said to ESPNBoston.com when asked about playing on opening night. “The opener is a little bit over a week away. I don’t want to set goals; I just want to go as my hand heals.”

Rondo continued: “It doesn’t bother me at all when I dribble the ball, catch the bal. But it’s night and day from trying to brace myself hitting the floor or going into the lane and somebody smacks my hand.”

Via ESPNBoston.com:

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said recently Rondo is eager to return to game action, especially after being limited in recent seasons, but that the team has encouraged him to be patient.

Stevens was encouraged by Rondo’s recent reevaluation.

“He had a scan on his hand and he’s progressing great,” Stevens said. “He obviously won’t do any contact before the end of the week, but there’s a chance that he could be cleared to do some stuff by the end of the week.”

Does Stevens think Rondo could play on opening night?

“I think it’s a possibility,” Stevens said.

Rondo has been a consistent presence around the team during the preseason, including traveling to most road games. He’s offered advice from the bench and is encouraged by improvements at both ends of the floor.

“I think our defense is pretty good,” he said. “We’re a good defensive team. And obviously this year we’re shooting the 3 at a high level.”

Photo: Bleacher Report