LeBron James has claimed that he does not need to carry the Cleveland Cavaliers this season as they look to climb the final hurdle after losing in the NBA finals.
Despite recording historic numbers in the series with eventual champions the Golden State Warriors, the four-time MVP's impressive 35.8 points per game were not enough to prevent his side from slipping to a 4-2 loss.
James insists that he will continue to be the leader of the team, but he believes that the likes of Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving will be just as important when they fully recover from their respective injury troubles.
"I will lead this team, but I don't have to carry it," he told reporters after a session with his teammates on Wednesday.
"Until Kyrie [Irving] and Tristan [Thompson] and [Iman Shumpert] is ready, we have enough guys that will all help. It's not about me carrying the team and that nature. We're all grown men, we're all professionals and they're here to do their job."
The Cavaliers were beaten 98-96 by the Atlanta Hawks in their first pre-season game on Wednesday night.
Callum Mulvihill
