NBA: LeBron James says Cleveland Cavaliers fans need to stay patient
Last Updated: 26/09/14 9:34pm
LeBron James says immediate success can not be guaranteed after appearing in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform for the first time in four years on Friday.
James had to answer all kinds of questions about how quickly he can bring a championship to the Ohio city at the Cavaliers' annual media day.
The superstar forward rejoins a team where Kyrie Irving has stamped himself as a rising star and the Cavaliers have also added to his supporting cast, obtaining power forward Kevin Love - a US Olympic teammate of James in 2012 - in a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Other new faces Mike Miller, James Jones and veteran forward Shawn Marion give the team sufficient depth but James says fans should not assume Cleveland's version of the Big Three can bring instant success.
"I understand what it takes to win a championship," said James, who won two NBA titles in his four seasons as a member of the Miami Heat and lost in the finals twice as well.
"I understand winning a championship is the hardest thing you could ever do. I've been two up and two down in four years.
"My expectations are still high, but I'm more patient now than I was four years ago.
"I will be the leader of this team. I can lead by example, I can lead by voice, I can lead by command and I can lead by just my presence.
"The challenge with the team is every single day we have to understand we can't waste that day. We have to prepare each and every day to get better.
"Each day and each month, throughout the process we have to give ourselves a chance to compete at the end of the year. It's not going to be easy at all, but if we have patience with the process and everyone buys in to coach's system then it will help us out a lot."
