Mo Williams: Heat-Cavs will be 'more than a game'

Mo Williams knows the pain and frustration Cleveland fans have been feeling since LeBron James left town six months ago.

That's one reason why Williams is looking forward to Thursday night, when James makes his long-awaited return to Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat. The Cavaliers guard understands why fans around the region still feel betrayed about James' departure after playing in Cleveland for seven years.

"This game is not just for us," Williams said following practice Wednesday. "It's the 20,000 fans and the millions watching who will be pulling for us. We've got people who aren't even Cavs fans who will be pulling for us. We've got a lot behind us."

The schedule says the Cavaliers will play their 18th game of the season, but Williams isn't kidding anyone. This will be no normal game. This will be no walk in the park.

"It's definitely more than a game, I can tell you that," Williams said. "This game has been circled. There's a lot of playoff feeling going on."

Williams says he and the Cavaliers are excited about the opportunity to face their former teammate, who led the franchise to the NBA Finals in 2007 and to the league's best record the last two seasons.

"The whole world is watching," Williams said. "It's something that will go in the history books. I'll be a part of it. I'm proud of that."

Williams, acquired from Milwaukee prior to the 2008-09 season, was more troubled by James' decision to leave that any player still on the team. He was quoted in a story during the summer that he considered retirement, comments which he backtracked on at the team's media day.

Williams and James had a chance meeting after "The Decision" in which they cleared the air. Williams said they have not spoken since.

"That's in the past," he said. "It's over and done with. We can go on and on with it. We talked about it. This summer, I voiced my opinions. I put it behind me. It's not personal. It's not personal at all."