THE NEXT 5

The Eastern Conference leading Cleveland Cavaliers began this week with the third best record in the NBA with a 26-7 record and a 3 game lead over the Toronto Raptors.

LeBron James leads the team, in scoring with 25.6 points per game average, while Kyrie Irving (23.9) and Kevin Love (21.8) are the only two other Cavs averaging in double figures.

The Cavs don not seem to be missing the inept injured J.R. Smith who was only tallying 8 points per game before going down and the contributions of its bench has been the key ingredients in why the team remains a prohibitive favors to represent the East again.

Love, who was the Achilles heel in last season Finals, has been spectacular. He leads the team in rebounds at 10.9, while James leads the team in assist at 8.6 and Tristan Thompson leads the team in block at 1.2.

While Houston’s James Harden and Golden State’s Kevin Durant are the sexy picks for MVP, none one has been as ultra consistent as James. If coach can continue to manage his minutes for the second half of the season the Cavs could repeat as NBA champions. There just isn’t a better player on the planet than James, and I believe there has never been. Yep, you read it right…better than MJ!

The Cavs NEXT 5 game will be against the Bulls at the Q on Jan 4, then road games at Brooklyn on Jan 6, Phoenix on Jan. 8, Utah on Jan. 10 and Portland on Jan. 11. Expect for James to rest during the Utah-Portland back-to back.