By RICK NOLAND

Assistant Sports Editor

INDEPENDENCE — Mo Williams said it, Anderson Varejao said it and Sasha Pavlovic said it.

Then LeBron James, fresh off an Olympic gold medal, voiced it Monday at the Cavaliers’ annual Media Day at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“I can lead these guys to a championship,” the 6-foot-8, 250-pounder said. “We really believe that. It’s not about making the playoffs anymore. We really believe we can win a championship.”

There are several reasons for that optimism, including the offseason acquisition of speedy point guard Williams, the signing of veteran big man Lorenzen Wright and the young legs of rookie J.J. Hickson.

Equally important is the fact Varejao and Pavlovic, who missed all of training camp a year ago while in contract negotiations, are already in the fold, as are 2007-08 trade-deadline acquisitions Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West.

From an intangible aspect, all Cleveland players are, to use James’ words, “mentally here.” The 23-year-old didn’t mention anyone by name, but it was clear he was referring to the unhappy Larry Hughes, who was eventually traded to Chicago in the three-team deal that brought Wallace, Szczerbiak, West and the since traded Joe Smith to Cleveland.

“This is the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here, especially to start off a season,” James said. “I see the talent from one to 14.

“I’m very happy. (Management) did a great job of going out there and getting players who can help us win a championship. There’s not much of an excuse now.”

A year ago, the Cavaliers extended Boston to the limit before losing Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at TD Banknorth Garden. The Celtics went on to defeat Detroit in the conference finals and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, but James, unlike many people, does not see that as a sign of how close Cleveland was to a championship.

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“I’m the ultimate competitor,” he said. “I can’t say we came within two shots of winning it. We lost just like everybody else lost.”

The same is true of Cleveland’s trip to the 2007 NBA Finals, where the Cavaliers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs.

“I got a little bit of a taste of it and the fans got a little taste of it,” James said. “I need more and the fans need more.”

Now in his sixth NBA season, James is out to totally satisfy his appetite, which he said will be done only by winning a title.

Adding another scoring title to the one he captured a year ago would be nice. Being recognized as one of the top defenders in the league also would be a lofty accomplishment, as would capturing his first MVP award.

But that’s not what is driving the Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School graduate.

“When we win, the individual accolades are going to come,” James said. “I never go out and say I’m going for individual accolades. It’s always team first and me second.”

That point was driven home to James even more with his emergence as the leader of the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team. He wasn’t always the leading scorer, but he was the captain of coach Mike Krzyzewski’s ship throughout the Beijing Games.

“If you can lead guys who have won championships and scoring titles and MVPs and rookie of the years, there’s nothing anyone else can tell you,” James said. “If I can go out and lead Kobe Bryant, who’s won MVPs and championships, I should be able to go out and lead Daniel Gibson.”

That said, James then addressed the never-ending rumors that he will eventually play in New York City, making it clear he can be a Yankees fan and still be 100 percent committed to Northeast Ohio.

“Go on the Internet,” he said forcefully. “Every time I’ve been asked if I’m happy in Cleveland, see my response. I’ve never given any indication I don’t love the city of Cleveland or I’m not happy here.”

True happiness, of course, involves leading the Cavaliers to an NBA championship in 2008-09.

“Buckle your seatbelts,” James said. “It’s going to be a long roller coaster. It’s going to be a long ride. We’re working our way to a championship.”

Noland may be reached at http://wp2.medina-gazette.com/email%20to:%20rickn@ohio.netor 330-721-4061.