– It has been quite a change for LeBron James.

Last season, at this time, his play late in games was questioned. This season, he only seems to play in the fourth quarter, scoring at will at that, leading the league in scoring.

He won't win MVP this season, but I do think he has taken his place as the best player in the league.

– The rest of the Cavs still leave a lot to be desired. But with LeBron, anything will be possible in the playoffs.

– I can't argue with the contract extension for Mike Brown.

– The quiet offseason seems to have spooked Indians fans. I get any number of e-mails worried that last season will be a one-shot wonder. I don't think that will be the case. The foundation is in place for the Indians to be like the Twins have been recently. Always in contention.

– Any worries about the new defensive coordinator having little experience should be put to rest with Romeo Crennel in charge of the Browns. That is where he made his career, coaching defenses. Now does that mean the defense will suddenly be better? NO. Just ask Marvin Lewis of the Bengals. Another supposed defensive wiz whose defense can't play. It takes players to win on defense.

– Terelle Pryor seems to add more schools to his wish list each week. Now the No. 1 prep star in the country is said to be considering LSU. He added Oregon about a month ago, Michigan three weeks ago and Duke after that. At this rate, he will end up a Akron. Actually, I think he ends up at Michigan (he has had a long relationship with RichRod) with OSU a close second.

– Selena Roberts wrote her first back page column for Sports Illustarted this week. She is the best female sportswriter in the business and it shows. She recently left the New York Times to go to SI.

The baseball draft on TV was conducted very poorly. Instead of following the lead of the NHL or NFL, baseball had few if any of the players at the draft. Without the photos of the players holding the jerseys with the GM, what do you have? Nothing.
The Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sweepstakes will be heating up the next two weeks. I still like Ginn Racing in a surprise. … By the way, Visa denies that it is entering NASCAR, but that probably would be the only way for Junior to end up with Joe Gibbs Racing.
The Cavs need to be active in the offseason to get some more weapons for LeBron James and Mike Brown.
C.C. Sabathia is starting to look more and more like a Cy Young winner and like a very rich man. The Indians need to ride his arm this season to playoff success.
Is anyone watching the French Open?
Or the Belmont Stakes?
We already know few watched the Stanley Cup Finals.
I think I like Danica Patrick's chances in a fight with Dan Wheldon.
Has anyone seen Barry Bonds, I think he is missing.
Speaking of Bonds, it is time for Hank Aaron to stop commenting on the home run chase. He said last week that he wasn't sure how to spell Bonds' name. Now Hank, don't be stupid. Stay above this fray of steroids talk.
The U.S. Open is looking like it might have a winner near double figures over par, if the players are telling the truth after practice rounds at Oakmont C.C. in Pittsburgh. Watching Tiger Woods and the rest of his golfing mates struggle should make great TV.

True Hoop on ESPN.com had some interesting statistical breakdowns of the two games against the Spurs.

It shows that LeBron could dominate this series.

Here is the link.

Here again is the accolades coming LeBron's way:

William C. Rhoden of the New York Times talks about this generation of players.

Marty Burns of SI.com looks to the future.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! sees relief in Cleveland fans.

Buck Harvey, a San Antonio columnist, saw this series back at the beginning of the season.

The theme throughout all of this is to enjoy the next week or two. These moments don't happen often.

Dick Vitale who said last season that LeBron would someday be considered the equal of Michael Jordan said this morning that the Cavs will win in 7. He said LeBron would be like a young Magic and not allow his team to lose.

I am having a hard time seeing the Cavs beating the Spurs except for the fact that the Cavs won both meetings this season and split last season.

But looking at the rosters, I think Duncan and LeBron will equal each other's production and maybe Gibson can keep up with Ginobili but who is going to stop Tony Parker and what about Robert Horry and Michael Finley coming off the bench.

Saying all this, I do buy into some of what Vitale said but not all of it.

So, I go with Spurs in 6.

Here are some views of LeBron's showing in Game 5. Let's just say the king has been crowned, according to these reporters and analysts.

Chris Sheridan of ESPN.

Brian Windhorst in a piece for ESPN.

Michael Lee in the Washington Post.

Liz Robbins in the New York Times.

Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo!

Paul Forrester of SI.com

Gregg Doyel of Sportsline.com

LeBron James put on a show for the NBA world on Thursday night, and now all of his critics are singing his praises.

LeBron gets compared to Jordan and Magic (He is closer to Magic in my mind), but his performance Thursday reminded me more of Mario Lemieux, who carried the Pittsburgh Penguins to two Stanley Cups in early 90s. Mario took a franchise that had been terrible for years and made it a team that is still considered an elite team. A team that was all but out of Pittsburgh that became the best team of the 90s.

LeBron also is doing more with less than any other superstar in the NBA has done. Magic had Kareem and Michael had Scottie. LeBron has …, well, … no one who is considered anywhere near elite.

Did the New York papers go too far in running pictures of Alex Rodriguez with a woman, not his wife, entering night clubs and running a story of his day with this woman?

I know we received a few complaints of running photos of LeBron James' new home in Bath. And there was some talk in our newsroom of whether this was news or not.

Do you guys care whom Grady Sizemore is dating or LeBron or Brady Quinn? Or what the marital status is of other players. Personally I don't think these items are stories unless the player or his teammates or the organizations say it is the cause of poor play or strife in the locker room.

Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press and his comments.

Free Press on rookie Daniel Gibson.

Detroit News shows the disgust the Pistons are feeling after losing Game 4.

Paul Forrester of Sports Illustrated talks of LeBron and his Gang.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! thinks he has found the turning point of the series.