LeBRON JAMES



On what can be taken away from this game:



“I just loved the approach from the beginning to the end. Obviously, we’re shorthanded and they took advantage of our size, we gave up 20 second chance points, offensive rebounds. We played good defense for 24 seconds but with a team like this that has been playing so well, you can’t give them second chance points and second opportunities that make you pay and they did.”





On what went through his mind when he dunked on Jusuf Nurkic in the first quarter:



“Nothing, just attack. That’s how I’ve been my whole career, pretty much. Just see who you can meet at the apex so that’s my whole mindset.”





On if he was surprised at himself by the dunk:



“No, I knew it was going to be a good one, it’s going to be shown for a long time. I was more excited to look over and see my teammates and how excited they were. So, it’ll go on and that one will last forever in my highlights for my career and even when I’m done.”





On being shorthanded for the game:



“Well I think for the most part we sustained the effort tonight. I mean they did get up double digits on us in the third quarter when they made a run, but we sustained our energy, we sustained our effort and we left everything out on the floor so even being shorthanded we still wanted to play the Cavalier basketball that we’re accustomed to playing and I think we did that.”





On playing without Kevin Love:



“It is what it is, I think at the end of the day my approach is obviously the same; it’s continue to attack the tight defenses and if I can attract two to the ball then give my guys opportunities, rebound the ball, defend. There’s a lot of energy that’s used with that but that’s fine as well. It’s been a long time since I haven’t played with another All-Star on my team so having Kev out, it’s been very challenging, obviously, for all of us. Kev is a big usage rate on our team, get the ball to him, when things get chaotic we can throw to him in the low-post and get some things going. But it’s not just Kevin, we’re missing double T [Tristan Thompson] as well, Rodney [Hood] went back out again. Obviously, you want to win every game, but my position doesn’t change.”





On fans wanting him to play here in Portland:



“It’s always exciting for me to come to Portland. It’s my first real connection to Nike from day one and it’s the home of Nike in Beaverton but it’s in Portland right here so I’ve always had a good time playing in front of so many business partners and associates and now family that I’ve grown over my 15 years with Nike. I respect the fans, they gave me a very warm welcome here in Rip City.”

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