CAVS CARRY ON WITHOUT ‘KING’

Analysts across the country have debated what direction the Cavs should take since two-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James bolted Cleveland for Miami as a free agent last week.

Scott thinks Cleveland can compete with what it has, especially with a newly minted blueprint: running and gunning.

"We’re going to try to get up and down the floor," the former Showtime Laker said, even referencing Golden State’s style of play. "In order to do that, we’ve got to do a better job of playing defense and rebounding the ball.

"The main thing right now is guys are making a conscious effort to get up and down the floor."

J.J. Hickson, Christian Eyenga and Danny Green won’t ever be able to replace James’ impact or status in Northeast Ohio.

But the Cavs are looking for clues at the Summer League as to whether the youthful trio can absorb some of James’ minutes. Here are their stories:

HICKSON’S ROLE CERTAIN TO EXPAND

Hickson had been taken under James’ wing in Cleveland, and the former North Carolina State star made it clear he holds no grudge toward James for leaving.

However, Hickson was adamant that James wasn’t the sole reasons the Cavaliers won 60-plus games for two consecutive seasons.

"He’s one of the great players, but he didn’t do it by himself, you know?" Hickson said. "We had four other players on the court with him."

Hickson was often one of those players, starting 73 games at power forward. The No. 19 overall pick in the 2008 draft sees his role "expanding greatly" after averaging 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds last season.

Scott said the 6-foot-9-inch Hickson will have to pick up the slack for some of James’ perimeter shooting.

"(Hickson) came to me and said he feels he can have a bigger impact, and so do I," Scott said. "One of those things he’ll have to do a better job of is making shots, and I think he’s worked really hard on that this summer."

2009 DRAFTEE EYENGA STILL A PROJECT

Cavs fans at the Thomas & Mack Center had reason to cheer when Eyenga threw down a highlight-reel tomahawk dunk on the fast break Wednesday.

It’s the sort of dynamic play Cleveland envisioned last year when it drafted 6-5 swingman from Congo with the final pick in the first round, 30th overall.

The question now is whether Eyenga has the tools to join the Cavs’ rotation after averaging only 3.9 points and 12 minutes last season with DKV Joventut Badalona in the ACB, the top league in Spain.

"He’s raw, athletic, (and) talented," Scott said. "I think he’s learned a lot the past five days, and this is great for him."

Eyenga has scored 13 points in each of his two Summer League games, both victories. After picking up seven fouls in the opener Tuesday, he was whistled for just one foul and had only one turnover in 30-plus minutes Wednesday.

"I love the way he’s progressing from the first (summer) game to this game. He’s learning, and I think it’s important for him to be here," Scott said.

FAST TEMPO PLAYS TO GREEN’S STRENGTH

Green is an intriguing darkhorse to pick up some of the minutes left over from James’ departure.

Scott’s goal of speeding the tempo seems to suit the athletic Green, the former North Carolina standout.

"Very excited," Green said. "(Scott) likes to run and he’s old school. I like that about him. It’s kind of how I play a little bit — a young, athletic guy running and jumping."

The 6-6 Green was considered a draft-night steal last year when the Cavs selected him in the second round. He averaged 5.8 minutes in 20 games as a rookie, but Cleveland hopes he’ll emerge as a bigger threat off the bench. He has 26 points in two Summer League games.

"As soon as I get the ball, I try to push it and run it," Green said. "Coach Scott has us doing a lot of that, so he’s doing a good job of keeping us in shape and getting the ball out. Hopefully we can do that during the season."

Scott said, "Danny runs well, Christian runs well and J.J.’s great for a power forward. We’ve got some athletes who can get up and down the floor."