CLEVELAND, Ohio – If this was any attempt by the New York Knicks to show LeBron James what he would be getting if he signed with them in the offseason, they failed miserably in their attempt to persuade the King of Cleveland to switch zip-codes.

Of course that is yet to be seen, but in the meantime the Cavaliers continued their dominance of a team that is expected to make a heavy run at LeBron James in the 2010 free agency madness, making it more and more less-likely he would join the Knicks as the Cavaliers routed past the life-less Knicks team, 124-93 at The Q.

LeBron James did put on a show for everybody, and it’s what he normally does when he plays the Knicks – as he known to “blowup” at any given moment when he sees the blue and orange on the other side of the court. He didn’t follow up his previous performances with dazzling jump shots, slam dunk after slam dunk, but his performance was only fitting in his limited action he seen due to the score board flashing the difference between the two teams at the end of the third quarter as the Cavaliers held a lead of 101-59 heading into the final quarter of what was a blood bath.

“For me, I’m a winner, I just want to win,” LeBron James said, who finished the contest with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assist to lead the way for the wine and gold.

But the harsh comments by James may already spell out what he may be thinking about his 2010 free agency plans, and they don’t involve the Big Apple.

“I’ve yet to play for a team that doesn’t like defense in my career.” James said. “But it is not about the team, it is individuals first. Individuals have to take the responsibility to guard the guy in front of them and it makes it a lot easier as a team.”

LeBron James was a witness to defense, as the Cavaliers bullied the Knicks from everywhere on the court, inside and out, outside and in – it was just too much chemistry and talent to overcome.

“We have athletic guys that can get out and run on the break and finish,” James said. “It is not something we practice a lot but if we get stops we can get out and run.”

Antawn Jamison backed up James’ efforts with a solid double-double game, adding in 17 points with 12 rebounds as he looks more and more comfortable with every game that goes by. Anderson Varejao added in 12 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double as well, and Delonte West was on his game with 15 points off the bench. West also had a slam dunk over the Knicks’ newly acquired guard Tracy McGrady. McGrady finished the game with just 6 points for the Knicks who in all likelihood expected more.

The Cavs had yet another adjusting period to handle once they found out the news about Shaquille O’Neal missing 6-8 weeks after successful thumb surgery. This adjustment was harder to adjust to than it looked, but with no centers outside of Anderson Varejao – head coach Mike Brown called upon his 2nd year forward, JJ Hickson, to play the five spot – and boy did he.

Hickson finished the night with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots while filling in for O’Neal. Hickson starting at center was a “gut-feeling” by head coach Mike Brown.

“J.J. was good tonight for us.” Mike Brown said. “When he’s out on that floor, with LeBron especially, he’s extremely active and his activity is something that gives us a lift on both ends of the floor.”

Brown also added: “He can’t play (center) for extended minutes, but as long as he goes in there and tries to be physical without fouling every time down the floor, then he will give us something because of his athleticism.” Brown said. “He’s played minutes (at center), so it is not all new to him.”

Hickson’s ability to be all over the place on both ends of the floor caused matchup problems for the Knicks, but then again they didn’t have much success anywhere else on the floor.

“They (Cavs) out-classed us, out-matched us, out-played us and (we) kind of gave up in the third quarter.” New York Knicks’ head coach Mike D’Antoni said of his teams effort.  “I thought the other guys came in the fourth quarter and did a good job, but obviously they’re (Cavs) a little bit better team than we are.”

For the lowly Knicks, their highlight of the night was their young talent in Bill Walker, whom they received from the Boston Celtics in the Nate Robinson- Eddie House swap on the deadline day. Walker finished the outing with 21 points and five rebounds.

The Cavs will have a night off before heading to New Jersey to take on another New York club, the New Jersey Nets Wednesday night.

Notes: The Cavs tied their season-high for points in a single half, which is 74. The last time they set the record was against the New York Knicks in Cleveland on February 6th… The Cavs’ Daniel Gibson was inactive tonight due to a personal reason, Gibson is expected to return Wednesday night in New Jersey… Danny Green and Darnell Jackson have both returned from the NBA D-League after Shaquille O’Neal’s injury and Daniel Gibson’s inactivity… The Cavs remain the top choice for former center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Ilgauskas cleared waivers today, but cannot sign with the Cavs until March 22nd, but he can commit at anytime.

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