The Cavaliers recorded a 121-99 win over the Boston Celtics this evening as their new recruits all took to the floor for the first time.
George Hill was named in the starting five while Larry Nance Jr, Rodney Hood and Jordan Clarkson all made an impact from the bench.
It starts a new era at Cleveland after they traded away Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Channing Frye, Dwayne Wade, Iman Shumpert and Derrick Rose.
And James aimed a subtle jibe at his former team-mates while praising the Cavaliers’ newcomers.
“At the end of the day I just like being around guys who want to play and work hard,” James said.
“I know I demand a lot of excellence out of my team-mates and I demand it out of myself too.”
He added: “It’s a good start.
“It’s almost like the new guys have been here. It started with George, his on the ball pressure and him just running the team.
“Then the three guys coming off the bench. Jordan is ready to score at any given time but his composure was great. Rodney played with so much poise and Larry was just controlling the perimeter, playing some great pick-and-rolls.
“It’s a good start for the new guys and a good start for all us of.”