By RICK NOLAND

Assistant Sports Editor

CLEVELAND — The game was at Quicken Loans Arena instead of the decrepit old Cleveland Arena, but the Cavaliers turned the clock back to 1970 Wednesday against the New York Knicks.

Cleveland players donned the team’s original gold uniforms with wine lettering and trim, complete with the script “Cavaliers” across the front.

“I give them two thumbs up,” guard Delonte West said. “I love them.”

Reserve Tarence Kinsey agreed, saying, “They’re sweet. I want to take one home.”

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown, who grew up primarily in Germany as part of a military family, did not attend his first NBA game until seeing the Phoenix Suns play as a sophomore in college, but his dad did buy him the multi-colored Denver Nuggets jersey of 1980s star Alex English when Brown was a teenager.

“I’ll tell you what: That’s an ugly jersey,” Brown said with a laugh.

While the Cavaliers’ 1970-71 look was bright by today’s standards, the players had no problem with taking a trip back in time.

“I like the old-school feel,” West said. “It gives you a sense of the past and connects you with those who played the game before you.”


KNICKED UP: Cavaliers superstar LeBron James, who can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2010, faced the usual questions from the New York media, but really didn’t say anything new. “I’ve never said anything about being a Knick or (joining) any team in the league but Cleveland,” he said. “We’ll leave it at that and see what happens.” Asked if he was amazed at the many different ways the same basic question can be asked, James smiled and said, “You guys are good. I’m sorry I’ve got to give you the same answer.”


STILL COACHING: Though the Cavaliers had won five straight and 13 of their last 14 coming into the Knicks game, Brown responded with a resounding “no” when asked if it was becoming more difficult to get on his players about things in practice. “There’s still plenty,” he said. “The eye in the sky does not lie.” In recent days, Brown has been concentrating on his team’s transition and weak-side defense in addition to working on live situations that occur in a game, such as inbounding the ball with three seconds on the shot clock. In his pregame meeting with the media, Brown wasn’t even sure what his team’s record was. “I know we have a very good record,” he said. “I don’t look at our record and say, ‘God, we’re 14-3. I’m going to be softer on the guys.’”


OFFENSIVE: Former Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni has taken his run-and-gun style to New York. The Knicks began the night first in the league in 3-pointers made per game (11.1) and 3-pointers attempted (29.7). They were also third in scoring (105.8), but next-to-last in points allowed (108.5) and last in field goal percentage allowed (.483).


HOME SWEET HOME: In winning their first nine games at The Q, the Cavaliers averaged 107.4 points and shot a league-best .505 from the field. Cleveland opponents averaged 93.2 points and shot .414. The 9-0 mark at The Q tied the 1991-92 and 1976-77 teams for the best home start in franchise history. “It’s great to win. It’s great to get records,” Brown said. “But I don’t look at stuff like that.”


RANKINGS: Cleveland began the night second in the league in defensive field goal percentage (.421), third in offensive field goal percentage (.481) and fourth in points allowed (92.6) and points scored (103.6). The Cavaliers were also sixth in free throws made per game (20.5), seventh in free attempts per game (26.7) and 12th in free throw percentage (.769).

Noland may be reached at rickn@ohio.net or 330-721-4061.