“He is going to make plays to some degree, because he touches the ball so much and takes so many attempts. We cannot make it easy for him to get his teammates easy shots or for him to get easy shots for himself.”

James has been playing with renewed energy of late. He wasn’t himself for long stretches of the regular season, a result of being tired from playing nearly two straight years without much significant time off as well as tendinitis in his knee.

James said he hasn’t felt this well in months.

“I feel good,” he said. “I’m ready for the postseason.”

Cavs coach Mike Brown is ready to see what James has in store. He’s heard the superstar is talking about shifting his game to another gear.

“I never doubt or question the great ones, I just sit back and watch,” Brown said. “I’ve seen guys of his stature or nature rise to the occasion come playoff time.”

James said last year’s playoff experience taught him the value of every possession, how one play can alter a series and that nothing can be taken for granted. This time around, there is a calmness about him.

So will he be nervous again?

“I’ll be very excited,” he said. “It’s going to be excitement more than being scared. I don’t want to get too excited. It’s too early.”

And it’s probably already too late for the Wizards.

MORE FROM NBA

NBA Section Front

LeBron, Shaq make Magic disappear LeBron says he’s done talking about free agency Celtics (8-1) looking like they did in ’07-’08 Jefferson leads short-handed Spurs past Mavs Suns start fast, buzz Hornets for West’s best record Bucks bounce Nuggets behind rookie Jennings Speights, 76ers sink winless Nets (0-8) Winderman: Boost or bust? Young season offers insight Fan ranker: Who will be MVP of the NBA? Celizic: Mavs’ Cuban is just what baseball needs NBA Section Front   Add NBA headlines to your news reader: