Byron Scott is in his second season of coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers in the post-LeBron James era but insists that the 2011-12 campaign is a whole new ballgame.

"It's totally different from last year," he said. "Totally different."

The 15-man roster that was presented for the Cavaliers Friday night in the NBA preseason opener with three second-year players and six rookies, included No. 1 draft pick Kyle Irving of Duke who scored a team-high 21 points in the preseason opener at Detroit, in a 91-87 Cavaliers victory.

"We finally got a game under our belts," Scott said after the successful debut. "I'm happy with the effort. I thought our effort was terrific defensively and offensively. Obviously, we have a lot of work to do, but we kind of knew that going into it that the defense was going to be ahead."

But the Cavaliers committed 21 turnovers, which didn't make Scott happy.

"We have to do a better job of taking care of the ball," he said.

Scott, who had previously coached the New Jersey Nets and the New Orleans Hornets, took over the Cavaliers for the 2010-11 after James bolted to Miami. His team went through the longest losing streak ever in the NBA with 26 straight losses, which ended on Feb. 11.

The final record was 19-63. But a new season meant new hope for the Cavaliers, as far as Scott was concerned.

Scott was encouraged with the play of Irving, who isn't projected to exactly be another James, but could still be the cornerstone of a successful comeback for the franchise.

"I thought he played OK," Scott said. "You can see that he is a rookie. Five turnovers for him is too many. He has to do a better job of taking care of the ball on offense but it's his first game in nine months."

Scott expects Irving to be an excellent all-around player, though the short-term Dookie has some work to do.

"I'm not going to be too critical of him but defensively he could have done a lot better," Scott said. "That's one area on the floor where I know he can be a little bit more of a pest on that end of the floor with his quickness."

Scott told the media before the game that Irving wouldn't start. He came off the bench late in the first quarter and played for 26 minutes, 35 seconds.

"It's no fault of Kyrie there was a lockout and once it breaks, he had to come in," Scott said. "He has a lot to learn, both big things and little things. He has to earn my trust and he has to earn that (starting position)."

Scott admitted looking forward to putting Irving on the court for the first time.

"I wanted to see what he could do," Scott said. "All of us do. We feel he was by far the best pick in the draft at the No. 1 spot. I feel comfortable he'll go out and play. It's his first NBA game and I'm sure he'll be nervous. I know I was."

During his playing career, Scott suited up for the Lakers, Indiana Pacers and Vancouver Grizzlies.

His advice to Irving?

"Go out there and have fun," Scott replied. "Just take your time but let your natural instinct take over. If you see anything that you want to take advantage of, take advantage of it. Right now he has to learn on the job."

"He's developed very nicely over the last seven days. He really has. He grasps things very well and is a very intelligent basketball player. He's one of those rare rookies you can tell him something one time and he pretty much has got it. That will benefit him."

It was not just Irving who had an impressive preseason debut. Samardo Samuels, a second-year player out of Louisville, scored 15 points and had seven boards. Another rookie, Tristan Thompson from Texas, had eight points and four rebounds.

"I do want to get a look at some of these younger guys and see what they can do in extended minutes," Scott said. "It's a learning process for all of us. Everyone is anxious and ready to go. These young guys are trying to get to know me and the NBA style of basketball."

 

 

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