LeBron James says All-Star break comes at awful time for Cavaliers

LeBron James believes the timing of the NBA All-Star break couldn't have been much worse for his Cleveland Cavaliers.

With eight victories in their past 10 games, including three straight heading into this weekend's All-Star break, the Cavaliers have really started clicking of late, James said.

Now that momentum has come to a halt. The Cavaliers have a seven-day break between games, and according to James, that's a blow to the team.

"I'm in a very good place as far as where I'd like to be," James said after the Eastern Conference practice Saturday. "The worst thing that could have happened to us is the All-Star break. Seven days, we haven't played since Wednesday; we won't play again until Thursday. So that's the worst thing that could happen."

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James will make his 12th career All-Star appearance on Sunday at Toronto's Air Canada Centre. The distinction of being an NBA All-Star is prestigious but ultimately has no bearing on the way in which the regular season plays out.

The long break is a negative in James' mind, he said. But the rest can also be a positive for players battling fatigue or lingering injuries. There may be some heavy legs when the team returns to action, but James said his veteran presence and other members of the Cavaliers squad will allow the team to get back in the groove faster than usual.

"We have a veteran ball club and I know guys will take a couple days off, which they should, but then at least get some cardio in," James said. "I'm not expecting guys to get back on the floor, because staying off the floor is probably what's most beneficial to us right now, but just getting some work in so we get back on Wednesday, or Tuesday for practice, that we're ready to go."

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Although James is eager to get back on the court and build on the Cavaliers' No. 1 position in the Eastern Conference, he also said he takes some enjoyment from the process of All-Star Weekend. He intends to do his best to relish it.

"This is our biggest stage," James said. "The NBA, this is our biggest stage. It's the most media coverage that we're going to get and we have all the greatest athletes, all the greatest fans here in one venue and it's always an honor to be here."