The Cleveland Cavaliers plan to take advantage of LeBron James' invaluable post-season experience as they prepare to face the Boston Celtics but head coach David Blatt does not want to place too much responsibility on his shoulders.
James - a two-time NBA champion - is set to feature in his 10th play-off campaign, with the Cavs to play the Celtics in a best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series, starting in Cleveland on Sunday.
The 30-year-old is no stranger to the post-season, having claimed NBA Finals MVP awards in 2012 and 2013 during his time with the Miami Heat, while star team-mates Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are embarking on the play-offs for the first time.
"I think that mentally and emotionally he [James] will lead the way," Blatt said on Friday. "And certainly on the court his example is going to be felt and it's going to be followed.
"But this all can't be on LeBron. This is a team and a team effort and everyone here has to do his part. The good news is he's a guy that's done it, been there and led teams to the ultimate.
"There aren't many players in the play-offs right now that have his kind of experience and understanding of the moment, so I think we can depend on him to do the right thing. He's certainly a guy that the other guys can look towards."
Irving never reached the play-offs in three seasons before James returned to Cleveland, while Love went six campaigns without a post-season appearance with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
"I think they're excited and they're looking forward to their first time," James said of Love and Irving.
"They are very excited. None of us know, the game is played on Sunday, but I think they're ready for it."
James added: "My leadership doesn't change no matter the magnitude of the game.
"I'm going to lead my guys and get them as prepared as they need to be on Sunday and they'll follow my lead and I'll put them in the best possible chance to win."