Cavaliers star LeBron James followed doctor's orders and it appears James may have been listening to a pretty smart doctor.
"I know for me personally, it's helped me out a lot," James said of the eight games in which he rested his knee/back strain. "I felt better in the last three games than I have the whole season and all 30-plus games that I've appeared in."
The Cavs have won two straight and James looks much more explosive in the three games since returning from the injury. He's scored 33, 36 and 32 points, respectively. Overall, the Cavs (21-20) are 20-12 with LeBron in the lineup.
They face the Central Division-leading Bulls on Monday night at home.
"We played some good basketball in the last 2 1/2 games, and hopefully, we can build on it," James said.
Quick Dribbles
1. The Cavs reportedly have interest in Nate Robinson, recently waived by the Celtics. Robinson is basically a 5-foot-9 shooting guard, but can be explosive. Word is Robinson will sign with the Clippers.
2. Other reports say the Cavs inquired about veteran point guard Jordan Farmar. Clearly, the Cavs aren't thrilled with the play of Matthew Dellavedova. In just his second season, Delly seems more like a third-stringer on a team that hopes to contend for a title.
3. The Hawks are the real deal, man. They went on the road and throttled the Raptors, followed by beating the Bulls the very next night. "That team is a machine," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey.
4. But as for most everyone else who gave a strong showing in the first half, I'm not sold. The Raptors, Wizards, Warriors and Trail Blazers frighten no one. Let's see what these teams can do in the playoffs.
5. I love watching the Warriors play, but I don't think a team with a frail point guard (Stephen Curry) that shoots so many 3-pointers can win a title -- or even get out of the West. Yes, I know the Spurs won championships with little Tony Parker at the point, but he has Tim Duncan down low. Andrew Bogut is a nice center for the Warriors, but he ain't Duncan.
6. That said, Curry and Klay Thompson are two of my favorites to watch. Thompson remains vastly underrated. I'd actually take him over any guard in the West right now. That includes Rockets scoring machine James Harden.
7. And the things Chris Paul continues to do with the Clippers ... best point guard in the NBA. Others might say Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, John Wall, etc. Give me Paul. Although I think Kyrie Irving isn't too shabby, either. He'll get more love nationally in the second half, when the Cavs start to find their groove.
8. Heat guard Norris Cole (Heat) is on the trading block, and he pretty much knows it. Expect a move to be made around the trade deadline in February. The Heat love Cole, but prefer rookie Shabazz Napier when it comes to their future.
