Cavs notes: Coach Kenny Atkinson predicts a tougher Eastern Conference this year

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals last year before losing to NBA champion New York, but a repeat performance is far from a given, according to coach Kenny Atkinson. "I continue to say it, it's gonna be a dog fight in the East to get into a good spot," Atkinson said Friday prior to Cleveland's game against LeBron James and the 76ers at Rocket Arena. "You look at all the good teams in this league, it's gonna be a dog fight. "I'm trying to stress to our guys how important it is. It's different this year. The East has raised its level. We've gotta raise our level, if we want to put ourselves in a good position for the postseason." It's probably way too early for the Cavs (4-4) to be thinking about playoff seeding, though. Atkinson is still trying to find out what kind of team he has after a multitude of offseason moves. "I'm so obsessed with the process, monitoring our processes, improving our processes, building our squad, getting to know our squad better," Atkinson said. "We've got four new guys in the rotation, not two, not one, four. It takes time. My job is to continue to evaluate, improve our processes, improve our systems and then get to know these guys a little better." Cleveland has been tested early, playing Philadelphia and Oklahoma City twice and Minnesota and Milwaukee once over its first nine games, with the Knicks up Saturday at Rocket Arena. "It's great in a sense that we're challenged and we're presented with kind of high-level problems and trying to find solutions," Atkinson said. "It's almost like boom, right off the bat you play all these playoff teams. You get in playoff mode. It's different. I felt it right off the bat compared to other years." Tournament time Thursday night was the Cavaliers' first NBA Cup game. Atkinson was asked if there was a difference compared to a normal regular-season night. "It adds juice for sure," Atkinson said. "We'd love to perform better than we have so far in the Cup. It definitely adds more juice to the game." Cleveland owns a 7-5 record all-time in the Cup, going 3-1 the first two years before losing three of four games last year, and failing to advance to the knockout round in all three tournaments. The Cavaliers celebrated the occasion by painting the court burgundy with a gold NBA Cup logo at half court, while painting the bordering baseline gold. Welcome home The Cavs and Sixers met in the season opener for both teams, Oct. 22, in Philadelphia, but this was James' first trip back to Cleveland after choosing the 76ers over the Cavaliers to sign a free-agent contract this offseason. Atkinson anticipated a warm reception from the fans at Rocket Arena. "Our crowd is always respectful. They love LeBron. It seems like they love Bronny. That's what I've seen. If I'm to guess, I think he's going to get a huge ovation," Atkinson said. "I just think it's a great night. He's back here. He's playing great. The Sixers are playing great. These are games you celebrate and try to enjoy. It doesn't happen like this all the time. It's kind of a special night." It was also Dean Wade's first game back in Cleveland after also signing a free-agent contract with Philly in the offseason for four years and $39 million. "I'm happy for him. He landed in a good spot. I'm looking forward to seeing him," Atkinson said. Tip-in Jarrett Allen and Tyrese Proctor were questionable for Thursday's game. "I think they're all game time, warm it up and see where they are," Atkinson said. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @CAwesomeheimer.