NEW ORLEANS _ Perhaps LeBron James and Kyrie Irving were merely in feel-good, All-Star break mode.
They used their weekend in New Orleans to decompress, to enjoy time with friends in the league, to forget about the pressure of another championship run.
But their sense of calm about what lies ahead for the rest of this season still seemed striking.
It felt as if James, vocal about roster needs during a frustrating January in which the Cavaliers went 7-8, has come to the realization that no matter what he does on the court or what happens at Thursday's trade deadline, some of the future is out of his hands.
The Cavs' fate depends as much on how J.R. Smith and Kevin Love return from injuries that required surgery as it does on James continuing his MVP-caliber season.
Irving understands that 2016 cannot be used as a road map, that the Cavs' 2017 identity could be vastly different than what carried them to Cleveland's first championship in 52 years.
The Cavs will need the final 27 regular-season games to find that identity. How many of those 27 Smith and Love will actually play may be fewer than expected.
As the second half of the season opens Thursday at home against the New York Knicks, James knows that health is the Cavs' No. 1 issue, not his previously stated need for another playmaker. He may comprehend that Smith fracturing his right thumb in the first half of a Dec. 20 game at Milwaukee when the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo swiped at the ball could be the defining moment of 2016-17.
Love wasn't there that night, staying home with stiffness and swelling in his left knee after banging it in the previous game against the Los Angeles Lakers. When problems resurfaced again this month, Love underwent surgery last Tuesday on that knee to remove a loose body.
Smith's return is slated for late March, at the earliest. Love's six-week recovery time would put him back March 21. How this is handled and how quickly the two can get back in the flow will be paramount.
Will Cavs coach Tyronn Lue rest James and Irving before Love and Smith set foot on the court, knowing the team will need time to gel in April?
Will Smith and Love be forced to ramp up their games under the microscope of NBA playoff competition?
Will Smith, who had a knee issue before undergoing thumb surgery and also showed the effects of a contract holdout, be able to shake off the disappointment of the season and make a fresh start?
Smith and Love will need the support of James and Irving, not just their points and assists. The task of putting together a complete team capable of defending its title carries urgency, along with time constraints.
"Right now we have two of our big guns out in J.R. and Kev," James said Saturday. "We haven't been healthy all year; J.R. got hurt early in the season in Milwaukee. Until we become fully healthy we won't know exactly the potential we can reach. We can talk about it, but we have to have the guys come in.
"No matter if we've been together for 2 {, three years now, we still have to work on the practice floor, work in film sessions. I'm excited about it, though."
James resisted the temptation to make a push for more talent. Since Jan. 7, the Cavs have traded for Kyle Korver and picked up Derrick Williams. Even after the trade deadline, they could still bring in additional pieces.
"That's a question for the GM sitting in his seat or for the ownership group," James said in reference to general manager David Griffin and owner Dan Gilbert. "For me, as the leader of the team, I'm fine with what we have, and we'll continue to push forward."
Irving said he will rely on the leadership of James and James Jones, who has been to six consecutive Finals with James, going forward. But those two can't will the Cavs to mesh on the court.
"The hardest thing about going for another championship is being able to find the different nuances that will separate you from the rest of the teams this year," Irving said. "Last year I felt there were some things that separated us and now it makes it a little bit different. Other teams have gotten better, they've gotten different pieces. So now you've got to be able to find that identity or the mold you need in order to become a championship team."
Despite the obstacles, James and Irving exuded confidence in what lies ahead. The Cavs are 7-1 in February, have a three-game lead on the Celtics in the Eastern Conference and carry a three-game winning streak into Thursday's game.
Perhaps they will take the form of an NCAA team that becomes more powerful with every March Madness victory. Perhaps the first and second rounds of the playoffs will be when it all comes together.
"We understand what's at stake and the level we're trying to get at," Irving said. "We're definitely in a good place, so I'm happy."
James is excited and Irving is happy, both seemingly unfazed by the daunting injury issues. They don't look or sound like they fear time _ time that doesn't appear to be on the Cavs' side.
