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TSN Basketball Analyst

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FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS:

1. LOU WILLIAMS (Raptors): When you think of the outstanding pick-ups of the off-season, this one was a steal for the Raptors, sending John Salmons's expiring contract to the Hawks for "Sweet Lou" and Lucas "Bebe" Nogueira. A subtle, under the radar transaction that has paid huge dividends when you consider the increased scoring punch of the Raptors' second unit and the overall veteran offensive polish that Williams brings to the table in late clock situations. He's been everything and more that the Raps could have hoped for. His defensive focus and intensity has been a neat development, as well.

2. ISAIAH THOMAS (Suns): He comes off the bench as a hired gun like Lou Williams and has been marvelous for Phoenix averaging 15.4 PPG and 4.2 APG. Watching him play in Sacramento, I never thought that he was a guy who could start and run your team, yet he's ideal in the role he's being cast in right now. With and abundance of guards already on this Suns team, his signing was one a bit of a head-scratcher of a moves that you wondered about, but it's worked out beautifully.  Nobody knows a team's needs better than the people around your team each day in your Coaches and front office staff. He fits.

3. LeBRON JAMES (Cavs): He called his team "fragile" after his team got blown out by the Raptors in the final three quarters on Saturday night and that's a pretty accurate description. It seemed to me that when the Raptors fought back with equal or better force, many Cavs wilted under the pressure and weight of expectations that currently occupy that environment. I said this on Saturday night and I'll say it again - LeBron James and Chris Bosh walked into a stable, disciplined and winning environment in Miami with great leadership, outstanding ownership, front office, coaching and a winner like Dwyane Wade and helped get them to the elite level. Cleveland has been the furthest thing from what Miami looked like and I still think that they'll be good, yet the approach might have to change a bit for LeBron. It might take a bit longer and he might need to be a bit more patient and work on creating better relationships with younger and new teammates before publicly calling them out, even a little bit. Considering that he looked passive at times himself and had only one rebound and a team-high five turnovers to go along with 15 points and 10 assists, James might have to just carry this team on his back and lead by example with elite productivity nightly until they finally see the light of what it takes and follow his lead. These are tense and uptight times in Cleveland.

4. CHRIS KAMAN (Blazers): Kaman's played really well in Portland and bolstered the weak spot of their team - their second unit. Averaging 11.1 PPG and 6.7 RPG while shooting .545, he brings the some of the same grit, energy and toughness that Robin Lopez provides with the starting unit. Once again, here early on in the season, the Blazers are starting to roll and their chemistry is impressive. Kaman has been a sound addition to their team.

5. JOSE CALDERON (Knicks): It's good to see the former Raptor back on the court for New York.  He'll give them a nice boost by running their offence with precision and his shot-making ability and selfless play will allow his teammates better spacing and looks. It's tough learning a new system and approach of a new coach and even tougher without your starting point guard, who's an ideal fit for the triangle offence. In time, he'll give his team good direction. Speaking of former Raptors, what a mess with Andrea Bargnani. First a hamstring injury and now his calf. The guy can't catch a break. That trade with the Raptors hasn't worked out well for the Knicks at all and the folks in the Big Apple are counting the days until his contract comes off their books.