The NBA is at the All-Star Break. The Cavs currently have the 2nd best record in the Eastern Conference. Here’s what we know:
LeBron James has gotten better.
LBJ has taken his game to a new level this year. He’s been one of the best players in the league since he made the jump from high school, but this season he’s playing on both ends of the floor. His defense has been so good some are hyping him to make the All-Defensive Team. There have also been rumblings that he could be the Defensive Player of the Year. All that and he’s averaging 28 pts, 7 rebs, and 7 assists in just under 38 minutes a game. Can you say MVP?
Mo Williams can flat out ball.
Mo was brought here to be Robin to LeBron’s Batman and he’s filling that role much better than Larry Hughes, Ricky Davis, or Carlos Boozer could have ever dreamed. His jump shot and ability to run the team have taken a load off LeBron the entire season. When he was not orginally selected to the all-star game the team rallied around him like a bunch of big brothers. He has proven that he can score with nights of 43 and44 this season, as well as just run the show with multiple nights of above 6 assists. Good to see him selected named as an injury replacement to the all-star game.
The Cavs are deep.
The Cavs have been dealing with injuries all season. Starters Zydrunas Ilgauskas , Ben Wallace, and Delonte West have all missed time. Sasha Pavolic, Darrell Jackson, and Tarence Kinsey have also been on the shelf. Despite that the Cavs have been getting steady production from the bench. ‘Wild Thing’ Anderson Varejao has been as active as the Energizer Bunny on the glass and on the defensive end.
Wally Sczcerbiak has been key.
He’s been pressed from 7th or 8th man into the starting lineup. Wally has given this team a steady veteran presence. This is LeBron’s team without question, but Wally seems to lead the team in sacrifice. He’s played out of position, banged with bigs, knocked down shots, whatever the team needs. Questions about whether Wally will be traded have been circling all season. Don’t know if that will happen or not, but Sczcerbiak has been a great glue guy this season that keeps things together.
Looking to the second half:
The Cavs have to get back to playing intense ball on the defensive end. Offensively they’ve fallen into the old rut of watching LeBron dominate the ball. No doubt there will be times that will happen in the playoffs, but the team needs to try keep the offense moving so guys can be confident once the second season begins. Finally, if the Cavs are completely healthy once the playoffs start they have the best chance to cut the nets down in June. Let’s get the second half started.
