LeBron James works on post play with Hakeem Olajuwon, predicts NBA will play in 2011-12

Speaking Monday in his native Akron, Ohio, where he was hosting his annual charity bicycle event, the Miami Heat forward briefly reflected on his team's loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, while also expressing optimism amid the NBA lockout that there would be a 2011-12 season for redemption.

He also spoke of a new, Hall of Fame training partner.

"Right now," he said, "I've just been focusing on getting better, working on my game every single day. The Dallas Mavericks were a great team and they deserved to win that championship. It's just more motivation coming into this season."

That motivation drove him to spend time this summer with former Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon, working on his post play. The Hall of Fame center also has worked this summer with Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard on that facet.

"You always want to be victorious," James said, "but when you're not victorious, it's about how you bounce back."

The issue of post play has been a touchy one for James over his eight-season career. He proved proficient in such a role when Heat teammate Chris Bosh was briefly sidelined at midseason, but then drifted back to the perimeter, as had also been the case during his first seven NBA seasons, with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"I'm in bounce-back mode," he said, "and I've dedicated this offseason to myself being a better basketball player."

While other star players have spoken of possibly playing overseas amid the lockout, James said he is optimistic there will be NBA basketball at some point over the coming year, perhaps even on schedule.

"I'm very passionate about the game of basketball and I've been working toward the upcoming season," he said. "I'm very optimistic about (union leader) Billy Hunter and the owners getting a deal done. I love the game that much, so that's my focus right now.

"My focus is having a training camp next month at the end of the month and getting ready to go."