NBA on the Mind During the All Star Break

As the NBA reaches its All-Star break, I have a number of things going through my mind mostly revolving around my beloved Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rookie v Sophomore Game:
First of all, why must there be the unending, high pitched screeching of the fans in the background? These teeny boppers have air pipes that just don't cease! And the sound? It's like finger nails on a chalkboard with no break. Please stop!

Second, LeBron is contributing to the broadcast crew as a third member. Personally, I think he is doing rather well. Of course, the "experts" will be commenting tomorrow on how lame it was to have James join the announcers, but that's why I am not paid to comment on such things.

He is answering the questions from Kenny Smith and Kevin Harlan. But he is also commenting on the game from their prompts as well as independently adding opinion. He handled several differences in opinion with Kenny Smith rather well.

Next, who is this halftime show guy? And what is he singing? Oh my it is bad. It is cheesy bad and just plain bad. Singing about coming home after school to talk to his family? What?! Aren't All Star breaks filled with people who go out to strip clubs and "make it rain" in a flurry of gunfire? Maybe that's tomorrow night. Tonight must be "family night."

Also, I watched the celebrity game earlier and saw T.O. win another MVP award. Ho hum, he tore it up against scrubs with skills not much better than me...really. What's that one guy's name Michael Rapaport?

But seeing him soak up all the attention and pub just rubbed me the wrong way. I can't stand this dude and his me first attitude. He is a glorified spoiled brat. The less T.O. the better for me.

Finally, how about DWade's bow tie and glasses? Dude.

Cavs' Trade Rumors
There are a number of rumors out there and I doubt the Cavs make much of a move at all. The main chip they are playing with is Wally Szczerbiak who is playing at an awfully thin guard position for the Cavs due to injuries to Delonte West, Sasha Pavlovic and Torrence Kinsey.

My friend dropped a text that rumors are abound that the Cavs are in the Amare Stoudemire sweepstakes. Apparently, rookie forward J.J. Hickson along with Wally and a draft pick are being thrown out there. While I remind you that I don't buy this for a second, I would take this trade.

The loss to the Lakers exposed a weakness on the front line. We lacked toughness and Amare would provide that. He could take J.J's minutes and some of Z's whose age is becoming blatantly apparent. Ben Wallace could also sit more.

But would he ruin the team chemistry that seems to be at a high point right now? Chemistry goes deeper than minutes. Then again, chemistry can be overrated. Kobe and Shaq won several titles together and didn't seem to get along too well.

Overall, I don't think the Cavs need a big name right now. I think they need a particular role player. They need a guy like Flip Murray was a couple years ago but not at the guard position. They need a big to rebound, play gritty defense and be able to score from time to time on their own. They can't be an offensive liability like Wallace and Andy.

Wait! I know who that could be. Joe Smith. Remember him? I have no idea if he is available and I know others don't want him at all (see Cavalier message boards on cavs.com), but I remember how effective he was on this team last year and I think he would fit perfectly on the squad.

Yes, I know he is a retread. I am just not going to blindly beg for the big name trade like everyone else just for the sake of getting a big name. But it is really cool to think Mr. Stoudemire could don the Wine and Gold in the coming weeks. I won't deny that.

Cavs at the "Midpoint"
Even though the All Star break is really the 51/82 way point of the season for the Cleveland Cavaliers and not the 1/2 way point, the weekend often marks a time fans and writers like to reflect on the season thus far.

Holding a record that is only five wins short of last season's totalat 40-11, it is hard to consider the season anything but successful thus far. Throw in other noteworthy tidbits like the fact they didn't lose A GAME at home until the crushing defeat to Los Angeles this past weekend.

They didn't lose two in a row until February (as part of that Laker loss). They are opening a large gap between them and second place in the division. They maintain a good position to compete for the conference's top seed as they and the Celtics and Magic distance themselves from the rest of the East.

But they are a scary 1-4 against the top teams. Maintaining the success they have had this first 51/82 of the season is critical because they need to have home court advantage, preferably throughout the whole playoff stretch. So they need to get that #1 seed.

Individually, LeBron has been LeBron. There is very little to say beyond what has already been said. The man is a beast. He is the star of the team and the team will go as LeBron goes.

For crying out loud, this guy singlehandedly carried the team to the NBA Finals two seasons ago and almost got them there again last year had Paul Piercenot had the game of his life. Let's not be foolish, we all know the Cavs would have made it past Detroit as well had they beaten the Celtics.

In my mind the big difference has been Mo Williams. The fact that it took three tries to get him to Phoenix for the All Star game is a crying shame and another obvious demonstration that the league and Joe Sports Fan around the country has no respect for Cleveland or Ohio.

Mo has brought another legitimate offensive threat to join James. He is a leader on the court and runs the point better than anybody since James has been around. He knows when to score and when to distribute. He has a good stroke from beyond the arc and a sweet touch for those floaters in the lane. He can take it to the rim and he can hit mid range jumpers.

With the James and Williams show taking over, players like Delonte West have also stepped up. West has been shooting very well until he was injured and he has been able to move to the two guard with ease and held his own defensively with his long arms. He is a tough, gritty player that blends well with the team.

Rookie J.J. Hickson has been afforded the opportunity to play important minutes with the vast number of blowouts. He has shown some promise and earned some bigger minutes, thanks to an injury to Zydrunas Ilgauskas. He has performed well but has also shown plenty of youthfulness. In the end, it will be very beneficial that he has been able to play as many minutes as he has and been able to improve his game that much more.

The bench has proved its depth with key contributions from players like Sasha Pavlovic, Anderson Varejao, Wally Szczerbiak and little known Torrence Kinsey. It seems that every time somebody hits a slump or gets hurt, another player fills in with little drop off. But one needs to be careful stating this.

Over the long haul, this won't necessarily hold true. It is critical the injured starters get back and play with the same success in which they began the year. Then we can continue with the insurance policy of a strong, capable bench.

It has been a good 51/82 of the season. Here's to an equally or better 31/82 remainder and a fruitful post season leading to a trophy that Cleveland can FINALLY enjoy.