Anthony Parker is a outstanding shooter from long range as he is hitting 45.6% of his shots behind the three point line. But, the Cavaliers could use more than just that out of the shooting guard position which is usually reserved for a good offensive player. He has played in 46 games (all starts) for the Cavaliers this season and he is averaging 28.9 minutes, 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. The one thing that Parker does bring to the court every night is that he is a pretty good defensive player.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA (35-11) and LeBron James is the obvious reason why.  King James has been amazing ever since he stepped on to the court as an 18-year-old rookie in 2003, and has continued to improve every season.  This year is no different, as his outside shot has been looking better than it ever has and he is shooting a career-high 51% from the field.  This season he is averaging 29.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks.  The Cavs are 9-3 this month and LeBron has been playing even better than his ridiculous regular season averages.  In the month of January, LeBron is averaging 33.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.4 blocks on 52% shooting.  The Cavs have won 7 of their last 8 games, including a big win over the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant.  LeBron had 37 points in that game, which was a big statement game for the Cavs since it gave them a season sweep over Kobe and the Lakers, who is LeBron’s only competition for MVP this season.

21-year old J.J. Hickson is really playing well this season. He has played in 44 games (38 starts) for the Cavs this season and he is averaging 18.8 minutes, 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Hickson is also shooting 54.2% which is the result of most of his shots being really close to the basket. I think he is the Cavs player that should have gotten a invite to the dunk contest. Hickson didn’t do a whole lot as a rookie last season playing in 62 games (0 starts) in which he averaged 11.4 minutes, 4.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. The Cavaliers are happy with Hickson’s improvement this season and they are really glad they didn’t trade him last season when teams were asking about him.

With Mario Williams out of action maybe the Cavs should focus more on their big men offensively. The combination of Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson at power forward has resulted in 49 minutes per game, 15.0 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocked shots per game. Neither of them have much of a jump shot with their strength being movement without the ball. That means that the Cavaliers probably couldn’t get much more out of his duo offensively. However, I do think the Cavaliers could get more offense out of the centers. Shaquille O’Neal and Zydrunas Ilguaskas are averaging 43.7 minutes, 18.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game between them this year. The Cavs could decide to go down low more to Shaq who can still dominate games in short spurts. Ilguaskas has really improved his outside shot so the Cavs should start letting him shoot it more. The Cavs should let the big guys shoulder more of the load in the offense until Mo Williams is ready to return to action.

With Mo Williams out for a while due to injury the Cavs will need Delonte West and Daniel Gibson to step up. West will start tonight against the Lakers. He has played in 34 games (0 starts) for the Cavaliers this season and he is averaging 22.9 minutes, 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. West can play much better than he has this season and the Cavaliers need him to step up starting tonight against the Lakers. The Cavs will likely also get Daniel Gibson out of mothballs. He has played in 36 games (0 starts) for the Cavs this season and he is averaging 16.6 minutes, 5.7 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Gibson is shooting 47.7% from three point range and the Cavs will be sure to take advantage of that skill whenever his is in the game. The Cavs are going to need big minutes out of Gibson at the point as long as Williams is out of action.