The arrival of Mo Williams (above) at the point allows the do-it-all LeBron James to play off the ball more and save his energy for attacking the basket. AP

Fast Fact

The Cavaliers pulled down a league-high 13.3 offensive boards per game last season and turned those rebounds into 15.3 second-chance points, the highest average in the NBA in three years.

Last Season

Record: 45-37 (4th in East) Points scored: 96.4 (24th in NBA) Points allowed: 96.7 (9th)

LeBron James finally gets a top playmaker, and his team is one step closer to the Finals

It was pouring rain in Key West on Aug. 30, but Mo Williams didn't mind. "They say it's good luck when it storms on your wedding day," says the 25-year-old point guard, who tied the knot with the former Kesha Thompson 17 days after the Bucks traded him to the Cavaliers in a three-team, six-player deal.

The Cleveland front office is confident that Williams won't need luck to succeed at his new address. He averaged more than 17 points and six assists in each of the last two seasons, and his ability to run an offense is expected to alleviate some of the ball-handling pressure on LeBron James. "[Mo] gives us a true position of strength," says general manager Danny Ferry. "Now we have a group that can push the tempo and play a little faster. I don't think that's always been a strength of ours." Adds coach Mike Brown, "Mo's ability to play pick-and-roll basketball, and get downhill or turn a corner with the ball, forcing the defense to help, is uncanny."

Williams's challenge will come on D because, as he says, "I've been in a situation where there wasn't much emphasis put on it." That won't be the case with the Cavs. Says Brown, "He has to make sure that he understands that he's the head of the snake when it comes to our defense."

With Williams, Cleveland has a chance to unseat the Celtics. His arrival may also make James think twice about leaving town when his contract expires after 2009-10. "The great thing about Mo is that he's an established player but he's also 25 years old," says Ferry. "Hopefully his best years are ahead of him." -- Elizabeth McGarr