Meshing well (so far)

The new guys fit right in last night in the Cavaliers' easy 109-89 win over the Memphis Grizzlies last night. Big Ben Wallace (pictured) scored 12 points -- more than double his season average
-- including a thundering dunk less than two minutes into the game, and added 10 rebounds. LeBron James gave Wallace a bit more credit than he deserved when he said "And he made free throws too"; Wallace went 2-for-4 from the line. No great shakes. But overall, a fine first effort in Cleveland.

Delonte West started at point guard, and struggled with his shot, going 2-for-12 from the floor, but he added six assists and three steals, and even blocked a shot. He also fed LeBron on a sweet-looking alley-oop, which is not something you expect from teammates who are playing together for the first time ever.

Wally Szczxzqzerbiak came off the bench to score 10 points, hitting 2-for-4 from behind the arc, and Joe Smith put in 14 with six rebounds.

And holdover Damon Jones, who was so impressive Friday night, stayed hot last night. He hit 3-of-5 threes on his way to 11 points. Oh, and LeBron put in 25 with 11 assists.

For all that, we have to keep in mind that this effort, while encouraging, was against a 14-42 Memphis team, and Pau Gasol was playing for the Grizzlies when they won most of those games. We've got 21-35 Milwaukee on Tuesday, but then the mighty Celtics loom on Wednesday. That'll be the first real test of this group. But I must say I like what I've seen so far.