A BANNER CAREER FOR NBA'S KING Making an immediate impact Asserting himself among the elite Clutch performer, lights-out shooter For the first time, title within reach Adversity, and a rival emerges Earning a new title: NBA's MVP Another MVP, and a

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James is all alone on this break away slam dunk against New Jersey in game two of the Eastern conference semifinals in 2007. This part of James' game hasn't been there yet this season.

(JOSHUA GUNTER)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The raw jumping and dunking power that helps separate LeBron James from other NBA stars hasn't been on display through five games, something James acknowledged Monday.

"I apologize I haven't been above the rim, but I'm in the lineup," James said with a grin, responding to a reporter's question after the Cleveland Cavaliers' morning shootaround. They play the New Orleans Pelicans at The Q Monday night. "Whatever it takes to help us win."

James has dunked just three times in five games. He's on pace for about 49 dunks for the year – he dunked nearly three times more in 2013-14 with the Miami Heat.

James is leading the Cavaliers in scoring (23.4 points per game) and free throws (7.0 per game). Twenty-five percent of his points have come on fastbreaks, last year it was 22 percent.

So he is obviously still driving to the hoop. But the statement, rim-rattling, momentum-changing dunks James has delivered for 11 seasons haven't been there so far.

James battled a sore back during training camp, and at age 29 has dropped hints early this season that he doesn't feel great. "In the lineup" is a phrase James often uses when asked if he is hurt.

On Monday he clarified that he wasn't insinuating that an injury was the reason he hasn't gotten to the rim, but: "If you ask me if I'm hurt I'm going to say I'm playing so I'm all right.

"I understand those are huge momentum plays," James said. "We haven't had too many fastbreak opportunities, as I have in the past. In the halfcourt they kind of put a lot of bodies in front of me. I've been able to find open guys.

"As the year goes on we'll be able to start making more plays offensively. I'll start getting to a point where I can start getting back above the rim. I hope so."

The Cavaliers welcome the Pelicans and their star, 6-foot-10 Anthony Davis, who leads the NBA with 12.8 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game. He ranks fifth in scoring (24.4 ppg).

"I think he's one of the elite players, for sure," James said.

Asked to compare Davis' game to another player, James said: "It doesn't compare to anybody. Early on they said Marcus Camby, but Marcus Camby can't score like he can."