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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- LeBron James showed he can run with the big boys. He can make behind-the-back passes, ferocious dunks and grab monster rebounds against them, too.
In his first NBA exhibition game, James ran the show.
Just as he has always done.
Cleveland's rookie played like a seasoned veteran Tuesday night, showcasing a dazzling range of skills while leading the Cavaliers to a 100-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
"I'm back to winning again," he said.
For one game -- James' first against a legitimate pro team -- the ceaseless hype must be believed.
This wasn't a Summer League with a roster full of retreads and rookies he was facing. These were the Pistons, who had the Eastern Conference's best record last season.
James might never be able to match the ridiculous expectations being placed upon him, but with eight points, seven assists, three rebounds and two blocked in 26 minutes, the 18-year-old star convinced more than 20,000 fans, over 100 credentialed media members and the Pistons that he's for real.
"His feel for the game is unbelievable," Pistons guard Richard Hamilton said. "He knows how to play the game, even at 18."
During an extended stretch in the third quarter, James was the most active player on the floor.
"He took over when he had to," Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said.
James opened the second half by hitting an open jumper, and then made two gorgeous passes on the break that his teammates were unable to convert into baskets.
Moments later, he took a crisp crosscourt feed from Darius Miles, but instead of catching it, he made a no-look touch pass to Ricky Davis for an easy basket.
"That's a gift," said Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson. "That's Magic (Johnson) and (Larry) Bird being able to recognize that."
Feeding off James' unselfishness, the Cavaliers outscored the Pistons 25-16 in the period to open a 23-point lead. Even Davis, who rarely passes up any shot, was in the giving mood and finished with four assists.
Detroit coach Larry Brown already noticed a big difference in the Cavaliers with James around.
"I don't ever remember them passing the ball," Brown said.
James admitted to being nervous before the game, and the butterflies might have contributed to an off night from the floor as he shot just 4-of-12.
But his passing more than made up for the misfires.
Midway through the first quarter, James came off the baseline and as he dribbled across the lane, a Detroit defender stepped in front of him. James then delivered a no-look, behind-the-back bounce to center Zydrunas Ilgauskas for a dunk.
Of his seven assists, that was James' favorite.
"I see a lot of things before some of my teammates even see it," James said, "so I'm going to try to put them in position where they can score a basket."
He was greeted with a mixture of boos and cheers during pregame introductions, and one fan paraded around the Palace with a sign that read: "King of Over Hype".
That wasn't all. As James got ready for the start of the second quarter, a heckler sitting behind the scorer's table got his attention.
"Hey, LeBron, your Hummer is ugly," the fan yelled, referring to the sports utility vehicle that led to an investigation during James' senior season by Ohio high school officials.
James had a quick reply. He turned and smiled. said.
James also was under the watchful eye of veteran referee Joey Crawford as the players came out for the opening tip.
James, unadorned by the headband and arm sleeves he wore in high school, walked over toward the Detroit bench and greeted each starter individually, calling several Pistons by name while exchanging hugs and pounding fists as Crawford watched bemusedly from the center circle.
Crawford later made sure James tucked in his shirt, then called the rookie for the type of ticky-tack hand-checking foul that referees use in the preseason to test a young player's response. James shrugged off the call, similar to his non-response in the fourth quarter when he tried to draw a charge against rookie Ronald Dupree but Crawford whistled a blocking foul instead.
"I just want to see what he's going to bring to the table. There's a lot of hype around him," said Detroit's Ben Wallace, whose curiosity mirrors that of many who have not yet seen James play.
The Pistons credentialed more than 100 media for a game in which the enduring image of James was his passing. He had assists off two other no-look passes, although he also had a drive swatted away by Wallace and shot an airball on one of his first attempts from the outside.
James spent only a few moments on the court together with Serbian teenager Darko Milicic, who was taken second overall in the draft by Detroit. Milicic was only 2-of-8 from the field and 1-for-4 from the line for five points.
"The other kid was sensational," Brown said.
In his first NBA exhibition game, James ran the show.
Just as he has always done.
Cleveland's rookie played like a seasoned veteran Tuesday night, showcasing a dazzling range of skills while leading the Cavaliers to a 100-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
"I'm back to winning again," he said.
For one game -- James' first against a legitimate pro team -- the ceaseless hype must be believed.
This wasn't a Summer League with a roster full of retreads and rookies he was facing. These were the Pistons, who had the Eastern Conference's best record last season.
James might never be able to match the ridiculous expectations being placed upon him, but with eight points, seven assists, three rebounds and two blocked in 26 minutes, the 18-year-old star convinced more than 20,000 fans, over 100 credentialed media members and the Pistons that he's for real.
"His feel for the game is unbelievable," Pistons guard Richard Hamilton said. "He knows how to play the game, even at 18."
During an extended stretch in the third quarter, James was the most active player on the floor.
"He took over when he had to," Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said.
James opened the second half by hitting an open jumper, and then made two gorgeous passes on the break that his teammates were unable to convert into baskets.
Moments later, he took a crisp crosscourt feed from Darius Miles, but instead of catching it, he made a no-look touch pass to Ricky Davis for an easy basket.
"That's a gift," said Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson. "That's Magic (Johnson) and (Larry) Bird being able to recognize that."
Feeding off James' unselfishness, the Cavaliers outscored the Pistons 25-16 in the period to open a 23-point lead. Even Davis, who rarely passes up any shot, was in the giving mood and finished with four assists.
Detroit coach Larry Brown already noticed a big difference in the Cavaliers with James around.
"I don't ever remember them passing the ball," Brown said.
James admitted to being nervous before the game, and the butterflies might have contributed to an off night from the floor as he shot just 4-of-12.
But his passing more than made up for the misfires.
Midway through the first quarter, James came off the baseline and as he dribbled across the lane, a Detroit defender stepped in front of him. James then delivered a no-look, behind-the-back bounce to center Zydrunas Ilgauskas for a dunk.
Of his seven assists, that was James' favorite.
"I see a lot of things before some of my teammates even see it," James said, "so I'm going to try to put them in position where they can score a basket."
He was greeted with a mixture of boos and cheers during pregame introductions, and one fan paraded around the Palace with a sign that read: "King of Over Hype".
That wasn't all. As James got ready for the start of the second quarter, a heckler sitting behind the scorer's table got his attention.
"Hey, LeBron, your Hummer is ugly," the fan yelled, referring to the sports utility vehicle that led to an investigation during James' senior season by Ohio high school officials.
James had a quick reply. He turned and smiled. said.
James also was under the watchful eye of veteran referee Joey Crawford as the players came out for the opening tip.
James, unadorned by the headband and arm sleeves he wore in high school, walked over toward the Detroit bench and greeted each starter individually, calling several Pistons by name while exchanging hugs and pounding fists as Crawford watched bemusedly from the center circle.
Crawford later made sure James tucked in his shirt, then called the rookie for the type of ticky-tack hand-checking foul that referees use in the preseason to test a young player's response. James shrugged off the call, similar to his non-response in the fourth quarter when he tried to draw a charge against rookie Ronald Dupree but Crawford whistled a blocking foul instead.
"I just want to see what he's going to bring to the table. There's a lot of hype around him," said Detroit's Ben Wallace, whose curiosity mirrors that of many who have not yet seen James play.
The Pistons credentialed more than 100 media for a game in which the enduring image of James was his passing. He had assists off two other no-look passes, although he also had a drive swatted away by Wallace and shot an airball on one of his first attempts from the outside.
James spent only a few moments on the court together with Serbian teenager Darko Milicic, who was taken second overall in the draft by Detroit. Milicic was only 2-of-8 from the field and 1-for-4 from the line for five points.
"The other kid was sensational," Brown said.