"There's one opening question about the Heat this year, and it isn't about Chris Bosh's 10 added pounds, what Shane Battier brings or if Eddy Curry can rediscover his path with this franchise.

The question is about LeBron James. Dwyane Wade took the first swing at it after the first practice Friday. Wade talked about comfort, trust and relationships. He said how LeBron likes to laugh and didn't much last year.

Wade said, "We all know he's a talented guy. It's all about getting comfortable with the Miami way. … He's got to be the type of person that's made him successful. I don't think he was that last year."

Finally, at a pause in Wade's good and lengthy answer, LeBron said, "You know I'm standing right here."

He laughed. "I mean, I'm right here beside you,'' LeBron said in a way that made Wade laugh, too. "You're talking like I'm not here."

Does this help? Does it offer a porthole into what Wade's saying? Of maybe who LeBron is now and wasn't last year?

This idea of a looser, happier LeBron will be the story line of this season. It will be used to explain how he'll be different and why things fell apart those final three games against Dallas, the season-deciding ones, where LeBron disappeared in a way that remains baffling.

This script is about LeBron getting back to that distant point in the season. All the rest is nice to talk about and should be great entertainment. But if LeBron plays like himself in those final moments this time, this team wins a title. If not, none of the other changes can help."