SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- The only thing LeBron James didn't do was win.
In a smashing debut, James lived up to the hype with a spectacular 25 points and nine assists that were not enough to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers, who suffered a 106-92 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
"I think I played well. Not well enough," James said.
The top overall pick in the draft who received $100 million in endorsements before ever taking the court, James was making the most scrutinized debut in league history. As an 18-year-old prodigy from Akron, Ohio, the fortunes of the woebegone Cavaliers - and, to a lesser degree, the NBA - are riding on his success.
James did not disappoint in any area. There was none of the hesitancy he comically displayed in his commercial for Nike shot right here in Arco Arena, which has a loud and rowdy environment that can rattle even a seasoned player.
"For a guy who's just 18, I'm really surprised, in a positive way," Kings center Vlade Divac said. "He's the real deal. He has a chance to be on the same level as Kobe (Bryant)."
The 6-8, 240-pound James made 12-of-20 shots, knocking down tough jumpers and sinking acrobatic layups. He threw pinpoint alley-oop passes for dunks and showed poise well beyond his years. But most of all, he had the Cavaliers believing they could win.
When James found J.R. Bremer for a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter, Cleveland had an 85-83 lead. But Bobby Jackson responded with two baskets before finding rookie Darius Songaila for a hoop that reclaimed the lead for good for the Kings.
"I think I was able to make a lot of the moves I used in high school," James said. "I just had to use more power."
James had six rebounds and four steals as he shattered the record for points by a rookie coming directly out of high school, a paltry 10 points by Indiana's Jonathan Bender on December 10, 1999.
The wunderkind also missed both of his 3-pointers and got to the line just once, drawing a foul on a 3-pointer late in the third quarter and missing two of three free throws.
"Coming off a loss, I try to shy away from my individual stats," said James, who was as equally unruffled by a throng of 60 media members as he was by his first NBA game. "I always say there's something more I could have done to help my team win. Down the stretch, I could have been more aggressive."
The Kings showed enough aggression on offense down the stretch to emerge with their 10th straight home-opening win. But they came away blown away by James.
"LeBron played pretty good for the first time out," Kings forward Gerald Wallace said. "Basketball is basketball, no matter what level you play it at, and he just has a feel for the game."
"He gets to the basket, he sees the floor, he's creative," Sacramento coach Rick Adelman added. "For a first game, he has me impressed."
James may have been most impressive in the first quarter. He made his first three shots, including a pair of tough jumpers - an aspect of his game that has been criticized. He had a steal and breakaway dunk, then made a pokeaway and set up Ricky Davis for a circus dunk that cut the deficit to 31-25.
"I like criticism. It makes me stronger," James said.
"I thought we got his blood flowing by turning it over three times in a row and giving him those dunks, but he's got a lot of talent," Adelman said.
The Kings were scoring just as easily at the other end and opened a 65-52 halftime lead as James did not take a shot in the second period.
In the third quarter, James got back in the flow with three quick hoops, including a beautiful driving lefthanded scoop shot. He added a lob pass off penetration that set up Darius Miles for a dunk.
Cleveland closed to 83-78 entering the final period. After Jackson's flurry, James made a jumper but took a seat shortly thereafter. He made another scoop shot upon returning to cut the deficit to 97-92 with 4:17 left, but the Cavs did not score again.
Without injured All-Star forward Chris Webber, the Kings still had plenty of offense with six players in double figures. Peja Stojakovic scored 22 points, Mike Bibby added 19 and Divac 18. Jackson scored eight of his 16 in the final period.
Bremer scored 18 of his 20 points on 3-pointers. Carlos Boozer had 14 points and 11 rebounds and Davis also scored 14 points for the Cavs, who have lost five straight meetings with the Kings.
