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The Cleveland Cavaliers know what it feels like to enter the season as Eastern Conference favorites.They begin this one with an entirely unfamiliar label -- defending champions.The rest of the East has spent the last six years unsuccessfully trying to unseat LeBron James from the throne. Whether he has been in Cleveland or Miami, James has led his team to the NBA Finals every year since 2011. But his crowning achievement came last season, when his Cavaliers captured the citys first pro sports championship in 52 years by defeating the record-breaking Golden State Warriors.Now the Cavaliers are wearing an even bigger target on their backs.Its the same mindset: Lets win a championship, James said. We just want to be able to put ourselves in position to do that. We have the ability, we have the personnel, but we have to work now. We cant expect for it to happen just like we didnt expect for it to happen last year. We put the time into it.The Boston Celtics finally found a star in Al Horford to team with a lunch pail group that has overachieved under coach Brad Stevens. The Toronto Raptors are back for more after falling to the Cavs in the Eastern Conference finals and Chicago and New York brought in aging stars in a desperate attempt to change the balance of power in the leagues weaker conference.James reply: Bring it on.We cant be entitled to anything weve got to go out and get it and work for it, he said. Were a team thats very driven and we look forward to all the challenges the season holds.A look at the East:---PLAYOFF BOUND1. Cleveland -- Championship hangover? No one expects that with the Cavs. There is one certainty in the NBA: LeBron will make it to the finals.2. Boston -- Horford and Stevens appear to be the perfect match.3. Toronto -- Keep doubting the Raptors. Kyle Lowry wants you to. Should be nip and tuck with the Celtics all season.4. Washington -- Heres where it starts to get dicey. Wiz are betting Scott Brooks will be able to push the buttons Randy Wittman couldnt.5. Atlanta -- The Hawks took a step back last season, then swapped Horford for Dwight Howard. Things could go either way in Hotlanta this season.6. Charlotte -- Mostly stood pat this summer after a surprising sixth-place finish last year. A healthy Michael Kidd-Gilchrist sure could make a difference.7. Detroit -- Would have picked them higher, but Reggie Jacksons injury is a concern.8. Indiana -- Pacers swapped out the underrated George Hill for Jeff Teague, traded Frank Vogel for Nate McMillan and brought in Thaddeus Young and Al Jefferson to funk things up.---IN THE MIX9. Chicago -- Dwyane Wades homecoming is a great story. But the severe lack of shooting figures to hold the Bulls back.10. Miami -- With Wade and Chris Bosh gone, its rebuilding time. Dont expect Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra to be down long, though.11. New York -- Manhattan is all excited about the star power that Phil Jackson brought in. The reality is Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah have not been completely healthy for years.12. Milwaukee -- Khris Middletons injury is a killer that prompted scrambling for wing help. The Greek Freak at point guard, thought? That will be appointment viewing.---FACING LONG ODDS13. Orlando -- Vogel landed with the Magic and he has all kinds of defensive weapons at his disposal. That will be essential because scoring may be difficult to come by.14. Philadelphia -- You have to be kidding us with the Ben Simmons injury. Hey, at least Joel Embiid is healthy. Please keep it that way.15. Brooklyn -- Move over Philly, theres a new basement dweller in the East! Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson are well thought of, but its going to take time to get this thing turned around.---WHAT TO KNOWLEBRONS LEGACY: The last time James did not appear in the NBA Finals was 2010 when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Celtics. James Cavaliers were eliminated in the East semifinals by the Celtics, and he signed with the Heat that summer.WALL AND BEAL: Much has been made of the chemistry, or lack thereof, in Washingtons backcourt. If John Wall and Bradley Beal are on the same page, the Wizards are dangerous. If they cant find a way to harmonize, Washington could plummet down the standings.NEW FACES: Brooks in Washington, McMillan in Indiana, Vogel in Orlando, Atkinson in Brooklyn and Jeff Hornacek in New York start their first seasons as coaches after a summer of upheaval in the conference.SCHRODER TIME: The Hawks traded Teague to Indiana to open the door for Schroders slashing game. Hes been waiting for this chance, and his ability to run the team, play defense and knock down the occasional jumper will be critical to Atlantas chances.ROOKIE WATCH: Only three of the top nine picks in the draft went to teams in the East. Youngsters to keep an eye on include Jaylen Brown in Boston, Jakob Poeltl for Toronto, Thon Maker in Milwaukee and Denzel Valentine in Chicago.---AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.---Follow Jon Krawczynski on Twitter: www.twitter.com/APKrawczynski Wholesale Custom Hockey Jerseys . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Custom Hockey Jerseys Outlet . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. http://www.customjerseyshockey.com/ . Ronaldo produced a spectacular individual performance on Tuesday, scoring all three goals and guiding Portugal into the next years World Cup in Brazil with a 3-2 victory in Sweden. The Real Madrid forward has scored 66 goals in 2013, but the last three may be the boost he needs to upstage Messi after FIFA unexpectedly extended the voting period for the Ballon dOr to Nov. Clearance Custom Hockey Jerseys . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Cheap Custom Hockey Jerseys .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win. CHICAGO -- Loyola University has parted ways with womens basketball coach Sheryl Swoopes.The school said in April that it would investigate allegations against Swoopes brought by former players. One former player, Cate Soan, has said Swoopes humiliated her and created a hostile environment.On Sunday, the school released a three-sentence statement.Sheryl Swoopes is no longer serving as the womens basketball coach at Loyola University Chicago, athletic director Steve Watson said in the statement. A search for her replacement will begin immediately. Loyola thanks Sheryl for her service to the womens basketball program.Swoopes has been at the private Chicago university for thhree seasons with a record of 31-62.dddddddddddd She was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this year. She was the first player signed by the WNBA and won three Olympic gold medals.Late Sunday night, Swoopes spokeswoman Kimberly Blackwell released a statement.In response to the inquires made about the investigation, Sheryl is comfortable with its outcomes, Blackwell said. She is disappointed, however, with the actions that have followed. In respect of the holiday, we plan to have Sheryls voice heard at an appropriate time. ' ' '