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Quite a change since 2014; Cavs meet Hawks in East finals

FILE - In this May 10, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, second from left, hugs teammate J.R. Smith, as they celebrate beating the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 of the conference semifinals in the NBA playoffs in Chicago. From left are Tristan Thompson, James, Smith, Matthew Dellavedova, and Kyrie Irving, right. J.R. Smith, the enigmatic shooting guard, who came to the Cavaliers with the reputation of being diffcult, has found a new home in Cleveland and he's relishing the chance to be part of a team moving toward an NBA title. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
FILE - In this May 10, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, second from left, hugs teammate J.R. Smith, as they celebrate beating the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 of the conference semifinals in the NBA playoffs in Chicago. From left are Tristan Thompson, James, Smith, Matthew Dellavedova, and Kyrie Irving, right. J.R. Smith, the enigmatic shooting guard, who came to the Cavaliers with the reputation of being diffcult, has found a new home in Cleveland and he's relishing the chance to be part of a team moving toward an NBA title. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File) FILE - In this May 10, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, second from left, hugs teammate J.R. Smith, as they celebrate beating the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 of the conference semifinals in the NBA playoffs in Chicago. From left are Tristan Thompson, James, Smith, Matthew Dellavedova, and Kyrie Irving, right. J.R. Smith, the enigmatic shooting guard, who came to the Cavaliers with the reputation of being diffcult, has found a new home in Cleveland and he's relishing the chance to be part of a team moving toward an NBA title. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – The Cleveland Cavaliers could only watch enviously as LeBron James tried to steer Miami to another NBA title.

The Atlanta Hawks were trying to move on after tough loss in the opening round of the playoffs.

My, how things have changed a year later in the Eastern Conference.

James returned to Cleveland last summer and turned the Cavs into instant title contenders. The Hawks pulled off a remarkable turnaround, winning 60 games for the first time in franchise history.

The teams will meet in Game 1 of the conference finals Wednesday night.

James, who won two titles with the Heat and twice lost in the NBA Finals, came back to Cleveland looking to lead Cavaliers to their first championship.

He’s halfway there, with the top-seeded Hawks standing in the way.