Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images

It wasn’t long ago that I wrote up a midseason report card for each member of the Cavaliers and I took a little grief for my evaluation of one guy in particular.  Here’s what I wrote a few weeks ago:  

JJ Hickson — JJ Hickson is, by far, the most inconsistent player on the Cavs roster this season.  He’s averaged about 6.5 points and 4 rebounds a night  but probably will see his workload shrink once Leon Powe is back and ready for action.  JJ is still young and has a lot to learn but I am not completely sold on his future with the Cleveland Cavaliers.  

Grade: C-  

I think maybe the Baby Bull was checkin’ up on the Gospel that day and may have been a little offended by those comments.  Or maybe he’s a little perturbed because he didn’t even get the nod to play for All-Star Saturday’s sophomore squad.  Whatever it is, the guy has played like a champ since Mo and Delonte went down with injuries and he did it again on Tuesday night.  He was 6 of 12 from the field for 15 points and 8 boards.  His defense has improved drastically since the beginning of the season as well.  And his two steals were evidence of that.  

King James was absolutely ridiculous again.  LeBron poured in 22 points while handing off a season-high 15 assists in an impressive 105-89 victory.  Early in the third quarter, James showed off another vintage Bron-Bron chase down block/outlet pass off the backboard to Shaquille O’Neal.  

Shaquille O’Neal continued his dominate performance as of late and tossed in 13 points to go along with 13 rebounds in just 21 minutes of work.  Boobie Gibson shot 6 of 11 from the field in another solid 16 point performance.  In the absence of Mo and Delonte, Boobie has averaged over 13 points a night and has done nothing but prove his value since getting his opportunity.  Off the bench, Z and Andy combined for 22 points and 11 boards to help Cleveland earn their ninth straight victory.  

On another note, former Cavalier Ben Wallace swatted the 2,000^th shot of his career on Tuesday night making him the first player under 6’10” to earn 2,000 denials. Congratulations go out to Big Ben!  

And, to be fair, we can’t close out tonight’s recap without rewriting JJ’s report card: 

JJ Hickson – The Baby Bull has been incredible as of late and is playing very consistent basketball. Hickson is making it really difficult on Mike Brown as Leon Powe is set to return soon.  How do you sit a guy who has been working his tail off and can finish they way JJ has around the bucket? You can’t!   

Good luck Coach Brown. I’m awfully glad I don’t have your job right about now.  

Grade- A  

Cleveland will host Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat on Thursday night for a nationally televised contest.  Since knocking off Miami on January 25, the Cavs have rattled off four Cleveland-style beatdowns to give them nine straight victories.  What do you say Cavs fans? Let’s get number ten!