LeBron on former teammates: 'There's no shade on anybody'

The 123-107 victory over the Atlanta Hawks by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night in Atlanta was not a statement on the six players the team jettisoned in

The 123-107 victory over the Atlanta Hawks by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night in Atlanta was not a statement on the six players the team jettisoned in pulling off a flurry of deals before the trade deadline.

So says LeBron James, who recorded his second consecutive triple-double, the 60th of his career with 22 points, 10 boards and a career-high 19 assists in the win.

"It's not about what the other guys didn't bring or what these guys bring," James told reporters after the win, Cleveland's second in a row. after putting up 22 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 19 assists. "We're all professionals, and we were happy with the guys that we had, and we're going to [be] happy with the guys that we have now. That's the way the league is, it's a business.

"There's no shade on anybody."

In a series of deals Thursday afternoon, first-year general manager KobyAltman sent IsaiahThomas, ChanningFrye, JaeCrowder, DerrickRose, ImanShumpert and DwyaneWade packing and received JordanClarkson, LarryNanceJr., GeorgeHill and RodneyHood in return.

The four new players were on hand to watch a skeleton crew of their new squad clip the Hawks from the visitors locker room. Wade played for the Miami Heat in a win Friday night. Shumpert is expected to finish his physical today with Sacramento, while Thomas and Frye are slated to do the same in Los Angeles.

That will clear Clarkson, Nance, Hill and Hood to practice as part of the Cavaliers for the first time today. The organization flew its team medical staff to Atlanta so it could administer physicals to its newest acquisitions.

That leaves it up to Cavaliers coach TyronnLue to get the four new guys integrated into the team's systems and, oh, by the way, a visit to the Boston Celtics, led by former Cavaliers point guard KyrieIrving looms Sunday afternoon in TD Garden in front of a national-television audience.

"More so it's going to be a walk-through, just trying to teach the new guys the plays and what we're trying to do defensively," Lue said. "Then, just kind of go from there."

James' triple-double performance, his 10th this season, in the takedown of the Hawks on Friday night overshadowed fine performances by KyleKorver (30 points, 7 of 13 from the 3-point line), JeffGreen (24 points) and rookie CediOsman (career-high 16 points, along with 6 boards, 5 dimes and 3 steals).

Osman, for one, was very excited about what went down in Atlanta.

"With the new guys, we're going to be perfect," he said. "Younger, more dynamic team with a lot of energy. So I'm really excited."

The 33-year-old, 15-year veteran James was more understated, but still praised his teammates.

"I think the guys that were getting an opportunity tonight were very excited with the extra minutes they were going to get," James said. "I think it was excitement when the four guys showed up as well, just to see some guys and the excitement that they have. They look forward to the opportunity, and I look forward to getting them here and acclimated to what we want to do.

"It was a business, it was a business approach this morning and a business approach to this game, and it was a good win for us."