Anyone wonder where this guy has been for the Lakers all season. Well he showed up at the Q on Sunday. Lamar Odom slopped up put backs everytime I blinked. He was all over the boards and was the difference in the Lakers win. With Kobe feeling under the weather and no one else really playing well in the 1st half the Cavs took a 10 point advantage into halftime. That didn't last long into the 3rd when Lamar Odom woke up from a deep sleep and started dominating. The question is.. will he continue this play as a starter with Bynum out? I don't think anyone knows. As a Cavs fan, I just kept looking at the T.V. and going... Lamar Odom? Not Kobe or Gasol? Really?

So we all know that Kobe Bryant can score, score and score some more. With his 82 big ones he landed a couple years ago and his 61 that he poured in at Madison Square Garden, that statement can not be denied. When people ask who is better how do they usually word it? They say.. Who is a better player? What people fail to recognize is the defination of a great player. A player is someone who not only scores but makes numerous teammates better while he is on the floor, dishes out assists, rebounds, and plays defense. While Kobe plays pretty good D, He does not make players around him better the way LeBron does. Kobe has Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum who are all players who can create their own shot. LeBron has made Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, Andy, and Z into the players they are today. Now granted Mo Will can definately create his own shot and it is a blessing for the Cavaliers. I just want people to understand what being the best PLAYER means in the NBA. Now if someone were to ask me who is the best scorer in the NBA my answer would be without a doubt Kobe Bryant. However, this is not the discussion everyone is talking about. They want to know who is the best player in the NBA. The answer is LeBron James.

The Cleveland Cavaliers found that point guard this past summer that they have been searching for since the arrival of LeBron James. Mo Williams has added great scoring that Bron and the Cavaliers desperately needed, along with great penetrating ability and court vision. Many feel that the Cavaliers are off to this rapid start because of Mo Williams. Though I agree he has helped tremendously, I feel that a couple more factors have put the Cavaliers in that "elite" category. It was last season that Anderson Varajeo and Sasha Pavlovic started the campaign as huge hold-outs. As many know, the long-haired Brazilian played an enormous part in the Cavaliers Finals appearance two seasons ago. Playing without Anderson for the better part of the first half of the season last year not only hurt the Cavaliers, it torched them. The wild thing brings so much intensity to both ends of the floor and crowds the court with every night drama. With his mopey hair flopping everywhere, he seems to play the role of a family dog for the Cavaliers. Finally, when the contract was decided, Andy came back and tried to get into the rotation. That did not work at all. Anderson never found his niche with the Cavs chemistry and seemed to be a lost penny in the ocean all season long. As many know the underachiever, as I like to call him, Sasha Pavlovic was also a starter in the NBA finals two years ago. His absence did not have the major effect that Anderson's did, but it did hurt. The Cavs were use to playing with Sasha and use to having him in practice and in certain game-time situations. Even when Sasha's contract got done, he never got back playing the way he did in the playoff and finals run. This season both players entered training camp with a different mindset. Anderson got back to his annoying, hard-working, and mopsy self as soon as he hit the hardwood this season in Boston. Since then he has been on a rage. He is averaging the most points in his career and is in the best shape of his career as well. The other name that rings success on the Cavaliers roster is Delonte West. Who would have ever thought that Delonte West would be able to guard the likes of Kobe Bryant, Michael Redd, Vince Carter, Joe Johnson and other strong 2 guards. Well he hasn't only done it, he has mastered it. He has become the Cavaliers best on the ball defender and is scoring 12 ppg to go along with it. Just think... Many Cavs fans wanted to get rid of Delonte West to free up space for the so far inconsistent Daniel Gibson. All I can say to Danny Ferry is thank you!
Last but certainly not least, LeBron James. Who would have ever thought that the 24 year old MAN could seriously get bigger, stronger, and better. While he continues to grow physically and mentally, he continues to shatter records and defenses. He has become a dominant force on the defensive side of the ball with his numerous block parties he has held at many arenas this season.

The young man from North Carolina State is beginning to turn into a solid low-post player. When he first started getting minutes for the Cavaliers earlier in the season he was very raw. He was robotic and played very tense. These days J.J. is taking a totally different approach in his playing style. He is playing loose and active. His big frame is allowing him to collect boards for the Cavs and throw the hammer down off of the pick and roll. He is starting to understand Coach Brown's style of play as well. He continues working hard on the defensive end of the floor and continues to learn how to block shots from his buddy Big Ben. Having Ben around to mentor J.J. has most definitely helped him become ready to make impact on games this early in his career. I feel only bigger and better things are ahead for this young man if he continues to put the hours in at the gym and works on all assets of his game