I don't know whether he was slacking or pacing himself, but LeBron James has found a second wind and is ready to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers on his back and carry them into the playoffs.

Consider tonight that LBJ tallied more than 29 points for the eighth game in a row when he dropped 32 on the Houston Rockets.  The difference in his game has been noticeable since just before the All-Star break.  While he settled for jump shots much of the time then, he's being more aggressive going to the hoop more now, yet his the jump shot is still working.  When he's able to drive and hit the J, he's unguardable.  What continues to be troublesome, however, is the inability to hit free throw shots. 

Also give some much deserved respect to Larry Hughes, the man brought in to be James' Scottie Pippen.  So far - primarily due to injuries - Hughes has been missing in action.  Apparently not anymore because as go  James, so goes Larry.  And Hughes knocked down 22 points Monday night.

It's tempting to think what could be if James and Hughes, along with help from Andy Varejao, Zadrunas Ilgauskas, Sasha Pavlovic and a benched bolstered by two rookies - Daniel Gibson (though currently injured) and an energized Shannon Brown.   But I'll wait, thanks.  There are six weeks left in the NBA - an eternity and the Cavs' current surge of energy could dissipate as quickly as it arrived.

I'll give the Cleveland Browns some credit; free agency hit and owner Randy Lerner opened his checkbook and landed the premier offensive lineman available in free agency in Eric Steinbach, a now former Cincinnati Bengal.  That's a good thing.  A graduate of Iowa, he knows how to play gritty football.

Additionally, they added outside linebacker Antwan Peek from the Houston Texans and defensive back Kenny Wright from the Washington Redskins.  Not following those teams much I know little about them.

What I do know is that Steinbach is a proven commodity who blocked for one of the NFL's most productive running backs in Rudi Johnson and one of its most prolific quarterbacks in Carson Palmer.  I'd be willing to bet that Palmer isn't happy to lose his starting left guard.

In some respects by signing Steinbach, the Browns may have tipped their hand when it comes to the upcoming draft.    The team's O-line has been the weakest link since returning to the NFL and until last year when they signed center LaCharles Bentley, the team addressed that wound with a Band-aid.

If Bentley and a healthy Ryan Tucker return and gel along with their new teammate, the O-line has the potential to be powerful.  Please note that I said potential.

It has the potential to block for a premier quarterback or running back and do not be surprised if the Browns look to address those needs.  Sorry local folks, I watched from the pressbox last year, Charlie Frye ain't the answer.  Is Derek Anderson?  We don't know.  But the Browns draft the third position this year.  Personally, I'd much rather they trade down and pick up extra draft picks.  However, should they stand pat, look for them to take Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson.  He is the weapon available to them with the potential to loosen up defenses.  They'd have to respect Peterson's speed and ability to break a game wide open.  What's that do?  Open the passing game via play action.

Is that the scenario I prefer?  Not by a long shot.  At this point, I'm happy Lerner and Savage haven't shied away from dropping cash despite what happened with Bentley on the first day of training camp last year. I can only hope that for the fans' sake the team's luck has changed for the better.