Player Profile: What JJ Hickson Means to The Cleveland Cavaliers

As the Cleveland Cavaliers tear through their schedule leading up to the All-Star break, I would like to take a look at some of the intricate parts of this Cavalier machine. First I would like to take a closer look at JJ Hickson and find out what he really means to this team.

Ever since Hickson supplanted Anderson Varejao in the starting lineup, the sophomore standout has been rolling along quite well. He knows that he has been brought up into the starting lineup so Varejao can give the second squad a boost, and with that knowledge he has taken to learning from the players around him.

With LeBron on the floor with him to dish out sweet dimes as he cuts to the basket, Hickson has been able to show off his innate ability to move without the ball (a skill he undoubtedly picked up from Varejao during practice). He always seems to be there to pick up a rebound gone awry or a loose ball just like the Brazilian Sideshow Bob does when he is on the floor.

One thing that Hickson has definitely improved upon from his introduction into the starting lineup is his aggressiveness. It seems that playing with Shaq in tandem down low has made the young fella learn to use the muscles that he was given.

This was most evident Thursday night when the Cavs pushed back the Heat for the second time on their current winning streak. The young forward from NC State made a statement to the NBA with two huge plays on Dwayne Wade, once posterizing him on a fast break and once blocking the same man when he tried to return the favor.

This new found aggressiveness has given the Cavs a new face during their current winning streak. Whether it be hard-nosed defense or Shaq and Hickson standing together as a brick wall in the paint, the Cavs just tend to make other teams look soft, something they were definitely missing last year. They are happy to trade a couple more foul shots in order to obtain that intimidation factor that helps them on defense.

Since joining the starting lineup, Hickson has become a brand new target for LeBron to hit, simultaneously making both players seem better. He has become more aggressive on the defensive end and more lucid on offense. Hickson has put up career highs in points, rebounds, and minutes played this year and is only improving. 

As long as the Cavs don't use him as a trading piece in the next two weeks, and he keeps improving at the impressive rate that he is, look for Hickson to don the wine and gold for years to come.