And you wonder why LeBron is good

It was 10:15 Sunday morning in Cleveland and there wasn't much happening at the Q.

That's short for Quicken Loans Arena, where the Mavericks play the Cavaliers in a bit.

But while making my way to the media room, I passed by the Cavs' locker room. The door flew open and LeBron James, carrying two basketballs and dressed in a sawed-off pair of sweats, headed out to the court.

This is nearly three hours before tipoff. And the lights aren't even on full strength inside the arena.

Quickly, somebody realizes the King needs to get up a few jumpers and the lights blaze to full candle-power.

There wasn't another player on the court for a good 30 minutes. Just LeBron out there flinging up 18- to 20-foot jumpers while a ballboy or two shagged the rebounds.

It's another indication of just how serious this guy is about being the best.

Of course, if he goes 6-for 21 today, we can chalk it up to wasting all those shots when it didn't matter. You don't ever want to leave all your good shots on the driving range, to steal a golf phrase.

By the way, this vignette could just as easily apply to Dirk Nowitzki. He's another one that you have to lock the gym to keep him out.

--Eddie Sefko