Getting ready for the Cavs

Opening the season tonight against LeBron James and the Cavs put a smile on Avery Johnson’s face this morning.

“Great to be part of this whole deal,” he said. “Another season is starting. A lot of possibilities and we’re ready to finally ready to get a game under our belt and get on the journey.”

Johnson probably won’t be smiling too much thinking about ways to slow down LeBron, especially without Josh Howard’s perimeter defense. Not having Erick Dampier to help clog the lane – and give a few hard fouls – doesn’t help, either.

“Anytime those guys are not on the court, both of them, we’re going to miss it,” Johnson said. “But that’s why it’s team basketball. That’s why they allow you to have 12 guys in uniform. Somebody else needs to get in there and do something.”

The focus will have to be on team defense. Individually, look for plenty of Eddie Jones, Jerry Stackhouse and Trenton Hassell against King James.

Johnson also cautioned that whatever happens in Game #1, don’t read too much into it: “I don’t think we’re going to be nearly as good tonight as we hope to be down the road.”