National Spotlight: JB with CB

JB: Let's look at LeBron James. He was in town Wednesday night to face the Wolves and this guy is tearing up the league at this point with the Cavs holding a 21-4 record. Do you think it's in part of LeBron's play, or do you think it's more the acquisition of Mo Williams in the offseason?

CB: Well, I think that it's both, but I thought the defining factor for the Cavaliers this season was going to be LeBron James' maturity. Two things really struck me observing him. Game seven last year against the Celtics, when they lost, he walked off the court with his head down, clearly was upset and angry about losing. In the past, he may have been hugging the Celtics, congratulating them, wishing them luck in the Finals, but it was beginning to really hurt him, and that's what's happened with all the stars--Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas--these guys got to a point where it just hurt them to lose, and that lifted their game to another level, took their commitment to another level especially on the defensive end. So one, I felt that LeBron would come out as a better defender this year because he realized how important that was and how that's really what helps you get to the NBA Finals and win the NBA Championship.

Secondly, he was a captain on Team USA this summer. This team had Kobe Bryant, a three-time champion who's older than LeBron, Jason Kidd, older than LeBron, Dwyane Wade, NBA champion, all these great-accomplished players. LeBron emerged as the leader, the undisputed leader on that team. I thought that was going to lift his confidence and also just his stature in the league. In the eyes of the other players, even the other superstars around the league, I felt that he was going to become the man. I think that's what happened in Cleveland and that's one reason they've raised it to another level.

LeBron and the players have realized how important home-court advantage is. The past few seasons, there's no doubt that they've given away a lot of games, they haven't won as many regular-season games as they should have and that hurt their playoff seeding. This year they clearly understand we need to win as many games as possible and see if we can get that top seed in the East, or if not that, if you can beat Boston in the playoffs, maybe you get the top seed in the Finals versus the Lakers or whoever would come out of the West.

Then of course you throw in a great player like Mo Williams, a very good player not a star, but a very good player who could conceivably be an All-Star this year because of the way he and the Cavaliers are playing. Offensively they've made a jump to another level and yet maintain that terrific defense. I know that was a long-winded answer, but those are really the differences in Cleveland this year.

JB: Those are great points, and you mentioned two teams within that answer: Celtics at this point in the season you would have to say are the most dominant team in the league and maybe the Lakers number two, or if not then right there with the Cavs. In your estimation right now who are the two best teams out of those three in the league right now?

CB: I would probably say right now it's Boston and Cleveland.

Look, it's very close--you could easily put the Lakers in there--but obviously Boston has been playing at a level where they're by themselves, so they have to be there, and then I give Cleveland the edge right now over the Lakers because of their defense.

Both teams are tremendous offensively, but the Lakers' defense of late has not been as good as it was earlier in the season. The Cavaliers have maintained a tremendous defensive intensity, holding teams to 90 points a game while scoring about 103. The field goal percentage is right there in terms of opponents with the Celtics, so Boston and Cleveland are the best defenders in the league. The Cavs are right there among the league leaders in rebounding and we know those are the two areas that get it done in the postseason; and then again, they've improved their offense.

So, I think the Lakers...the addition of Andrew Bynum has been tremendous. He's en route to becoming a star in these next two years, but as good as he is, and he's not soft, but he hasn't fully answered the toughness question that dogged the Lakers. They need a rugged guy in there, a Reggie Evans type, an Eduardo Najera type, who can just come in there and be a banger alongside Bynum and Pau Gasol. I think in the Finals, assuming they make it, that could really hurt them. We saw it last year with Boston, and I think Cleveland's a tough team up front as well. That could be the thing that hurts the Lakers in the Finals against an Eastern Conference team.

JB: Speaking with Chris Broussard of ESPN.com and ESPN, he covers the NBA. Let's move to some trade moves over this early part of the season. Right now the Suns, they make a deal, and I can't quite figure this deal out. Jason Richardson heads over to Phoenix from Charlotte, and they deal Raja Bell and Boris Diaw. Steve Kerr is shaking up that roster. He's more of a scorer, that would fit within Mike D'Antoni's system a couple years ago, but Terry Porter decided to slow things down and really put the ball in the hands of Shaquille O'Neal. Can you tell me the logic behind bringing in J-Rich?

CB: I like the move. I think it helps Phoenix. I think it makes them better. It obviously gives them more talent. Boris Diaw wasn't really playing well under Terry Porter's system. He's not that type of player, so you got him out of there. Raja Bell, he's been a great defender in the past, but this year he wasn't defending well. He wasn't able to contain guys off the dribble, and he wanted more shots and was complaining about the offense as well, so he wasn't really doing much for them. I think in Jason Richardson you bring in a player who's better than both of them.

Does it make them a contender out West? No, but I do think it makes them a better team, it shakes things up, it brings a little bit of freshness, and it gives you another offensive threat in that lineup, so I think it's a good move for the Suns.

JB: Other trade moves, are you hearing anything on the circuit right now? I've read a couple of rumors that Shawn Marion could possibly be on the move from Miami. Is there any truth to those rumors?

CB: Well, you're going to hear that all year long, at least until the trade deadline, because Marion did want a contract extension, didn't get it in Miami. With the last season of contract, that's a valuable piece that a team could use to try to get under the salary cap next season. Also, he's a good player. There was a rumor about him going to Cleveland. That's not true. There haven't been any talks between Cleveland and Miami about Shawn Marion. You're going to hear his name in the news. Miami is saying they're going to keep him because he's a valuable piece. They may keep him because he certainly can help them perhaps reach the playoffs this year. They're also going to listen to talk and listen to offers because they know that even with Shawn Marion at his best, this is not a team that's going to be able to compete for a title this year. He's a valuable piece [who] could bring them a guy they really like for the future or some cap space if they just keep him and let his contract fall off the books.

JB: Ok Chris, let's move to Minnesota here where I cover the Timberwolves on a nightly basis. Obviously the team is going through some struggles right now, but Al Jefferson has been consistent all year scoring 20 points, 10 boards, he really does it in a variety of ways in the post. What are the national thoughts about Al Jefferson? Is he considered one of the top forward/centers in the league?

CB: Well, people like him. He shoots a nice percentage from the floor, like you said he has a plethora of moves down there in the low block. He doesn't defend. Everybody knows he doesn't defend. Offensively he's a very good player, and he can rebound, but until you can win some games, you're not going to get the recognition that you may deserve. He's not going to get All-Star consideration with a team that's 4-20. For him to really go to that next level where people begin to think of him as a star, he's going to have to win some games. Obviously it's not all on Al, but you gotta win more than four. KG was still an All-Star when he didn't take Minnesota to the playoffs, but they were at least in the hunt or close to the hunt for most of those three years they were out. Al's going to have to take that team to the next level and make his teammates better, for him to really get some recognition.

JB: Before we let you go Chris, best storyline so far in the league. I'd have to consider Chauncey Billups and the difference he's made for the Denver Nuggets. Anything else you see in the league so far through about 24 games?

CB: I think it's been an interesting season. Several teams out West that we expected to be better really haven't emerged. New Orleans is playing better as of late, I think they've won eight of their last 10, so they're beginning to play better, but injuries have dogged some of these teams. Utah's been half the season without Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, so they should be stronger over the second half of the year. Houston really hasn't gotten their big three of Ron Artest, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming to play together and on the same page because, in part, of injuries. I think that some of these teams we expected more out of will come on in the second half of the season.

Don't count out San Antonio, they look very strong. Portland emerged as a nice team out West and will definitely make the playoffs.

In the East, the Allen Iverson trade, that's interesting to watch how Detroit adjusts to him. There's a lot of interesting storylines going on around the league.

JB: Great stuff as always. Chris Broussard of ESPN and ESPN.com, thanks so much for joining me today and hopefully we can catch up with you later throughout the season.

CB: Alright my man!