James confronts reports he'd rather be in New York

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The NBA season started anew Monday as training camps kicked off for most of the 30 teams.

LeBron James, reporting for duty for his sixth season and quite excited about the Cavaliers' chances, felt he needed to use the annual media day to address a few old topics that never seem to go away.

First on the list was his future when his contract with the Cavs expires in two years. Especially after a summer when the two New York-area teams started making moves in earnest to clear cap space for that precious summer of 2010.

"Go on the Internet and look at every time I have been asked am I happy in Cleveland and see my response," James said to the large media gathering.

"I've never given any indication that I was leaving or didn't like being here. Every time I am asked the question — I love being here, I love playing in front of these fans, my family is here, I grew up 30 miles away — I never gave any indication that I did not like playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers."

Then on to hot button part two, an issue that seems to be equally as debate-worthy in Northeast Ohio: James' support of the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. James brought up this one on his own and he was equally serious in relating his feelings.

"Now, I'll say I like the Yankees and the Cowboys, but that has nothing to do with the Cavaliers," he said.

"It's not fun to be questioned about it. Am I not allowed to be a fan? When I grew up watching sports, the Cowboys were a team to love; Michael Jordan was a player to love. If I say I like Michael Jordan, is that a problem because I didn't say Mark Price?" James asked. "Is that a problem? Is it? That is who I grew up watching. These are the teams and the people that inspired me. Now I broke it down for you all."

So he did. The sentiments were repeats of what James has been saying for years, though with a little more ire than usual.

Also, as usual, his professed enjoyment of playing for the Cavs came with unsaid loopholes, as any smart potential free agent would insert. And there were no apologies for his headgear choices or which sideline he stands on when going to Browns games.

There was, however, commentary about the actual business at hand. Among the highlights:

—On his leadership role with Team USA: