<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class="bi"></div> <div> <span style="font-style: italic">Nov 1</span> - According to team sources, the Cavaliers have picked up the option in the contract of Cedric Simmons for next season. The deadline to do so was Wednesday at midnight. Simmons will make $1.7 million.</p> </p> LeBron James on some pundits, such as TNT's Charles Barkley, picking the Cavs to miss the playoffs: "Our team doesn't look good on paper, and right now everybody reports what is on paper. We'll see what happens."</p> </p> James wore the new version of his signature Nikes for the opener. The bottom of the shoe has a small map of Akron on it in honor of his hometown. -- <font color="#000000">Akron Beacon-Journal</font></p></div></div>