Mike Brown finally woke up in LA and realized he might actually need to do some coaching this season. He’s allowed Luke Jackson to languish on the bench even after Larry Hughes got hurt and Damon Jones showed he couldn’t be counted on to step up. Jackson responded by shooting 4-for-5 from the field for 11 points, including 3-for-3 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter.

The kid needs to play. He needs opportunities to learn. He needs reassurance that he won’t be pulled if he makes a mistake. Hopefully Brown will let Jackson build on this performance. The Cavs desperately need him.

Bus Shaw sums it up pretty well - Kobe is ahead of LeBron in certain categories (like his ability to close out a game), but LeBron is poised to surpass everything Kobe has accomplished. I’m chalking up the game against the Lakers as another step in LeBron’s learning process. As good as he is now, LeBron will continue to get better.

You knew it was coming. Mary Kay Cabot couldn’t help herself. She had to rehash the long-running story of the four Browns defensive linemen who are now playing for Denver in the playoffs.

Frankly, I could care less. These guys generally had solid seasons, but they didn’t set the world on fire. The reasons behind the success of the Broncos defense do not start with these players. Having a solid offense that controls the ball is a huge factor, and there are some pretty good players playing behind this group.

By any measurement, Gerard Warren and Courtney Brown are still busts after this season as well.

Phil Savage did what he had to do. Romeo Crennel wanted to switch to a 3-4 defense, and some of these players didn’t fit. Warren had to go given his history, and Brown wanted too much money. Savage was able to land Rueben Droughns for Ekuban and Myers, and that alone justifies the purge. Droughns was our best players last season, and you can build an offense around a tough back like Droughns.

I’m glad they’re gone. Now let’s get back to the business of rebuilding the Browns.

Jazz fans have to be kicking themselves. They rejoiced when Carlos lied his way out of Cleveland and into a Jazz uniform with a fat contract, but he’s been a huge disappointment ever since. First came the realization that he’s not a franchise player who can carry a team. Sure, he’s a good player, but he needs to play Robin to a real star’s Batman in order to be effective. Also, the sap keeps getting hurt. ESPN is reporting that Boozer, who has yet to play this season after missing around 30 games last season, has suffered a setback in his attempt to return from a hamstring injury. Perhaps there is something to the karma thing after all.