Here are Windhorst's evaluation of the Cav players.
The Cavs have hit midseason at 24-17, just behind their 25-16 mark after 41 games last season.
The real question, of course, is whether they'll be able to do better than last year's team's miserable 17-24 finish, which left the Cavs a game out of the playoffs. Here's a player-by-player breakdown of the first half:
LeBron James
His scoring average continues to skyrocket, as does his efficiency. He's shot around 50 percent all season. He's also shown a new side of his game as coach Mike Brown's offense often calls for him to post up more against outsized defenders. His defense still needs work, and he admits that he's got to develop his instincts in close games.
Grade: A
Larry Hughes
He averaged 16 points, four rebounds and four assists while playing with a broken finger and on two sore Achilles tendons. His ability to get to the basket and draw defenders away from James showed in the ease in which the Cavs put up points with him in the lineup. His overall numbers are down from a year ago, but he's yet to be 100 percent.
Grade: B
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Every year Ilgauskas seems to get more consistent, routinely putting up solid numbers and dominating the thinning center corps around the league. He seems to be playing better defense, inasmuch as he's taking more charges and moving more. When the ball goes to him in the post, the offense still stops, he almost never passes out and he often picks up cheap fouls that force him from the floor. Still, he gets bonus points for playing through a creaky left knee.
Grade: B
Eric Snow
He has been steady since Day One, winning the point guard job in training camp. He works hard on defense every night and understands his limits. He doesn't fire up 3s any more and only shoots when he's open. He still isn't the player the Cavs thought they traded for but he's having a better year.
Grade: C+
Drew Gooden
Most players in a contract year are obsessed with their stats. Gooden is obsessed with playing his role. He still has focus lapses, but he's grown more consistent during his stay here and fills the stat sheet almost every night.
Grade: B
Donyell Marshall
He's a quality veteran big man and those are hard to find, especially off the bench. When he's making shots, the Cavs usually win. But too often it seems he just looks for 3-pointers and he's not making as many as in years past.
Grade: B-
Damon Jones
Fans complain about his defense, but he's just doing what he's always done on that end. He's still the best 3-point shooter on the team, but his stats are down from last season and that's what the Cavs paid for.
Grade: C-
Ira Newble
His foot simply isn't healthy, and it's not clear when it will be. It has robbed him of his shot, though he can provide some situational defense.
Grade: C-
Alan Henderson
For the most part, he has been solid when called on, the sort of veteran big man the team needed after losing Robert Traylor even though he isn't much of a bruiser.
Grade: C+
Sasha Pavlovic
Has shown flashes and has been better than anyone else subbing for Hughes, but his game is far from well-rounded and there hasn't been much development since he arrived.
Grade: C-
Luke Jackson
A total mystery. There are nights when it looks like he's turning the corner and too many nights when he looks lost and bumbling. His frustration matches that of his numerous fans.
Grade: D+
Mike Wilks
He provides quickness and helps with matchups on the defensive end. Offensively, he hasn't been that efficient, shooting or running the show.
Grade: C-
Anderson Varejao
Has only played in eight games after returning from shoulder surgery. He still seems like he's got a long way to go to get back to his level from last season.
Grade: Incomplete
The Cavs have hit midseason at 24-17, just behind their 25-16 mark after 41 games last season.
The real question, of course, is whether they'll be able to do better than last year's team's miserable 17-24 finish, which left the Cavs a game out of the playoffs. Here's a player-by-player breakdown of the first half:
LeBron James
His scoring average continues to skyrocket, as does his efficiency. He's shot around 50 percent all season. He's also shown a new side of his game as coach Mike Brown's offense often calls for him to post up more against outsized defenders. His defense still needs work, and he admits that he's got to develop his instincts in close games.
Grade: A
Larry Hughes
He averaged 16 points, four rebounds and four assists while playing with a broken finger and on two sore Achilles tendons. His ability to get to the basket and draw defenders away from James showed in the ease in which the Cavs put up points with him in the lineup. His overall numbers are down from a year ago, but he's yet to be 100 percent.
Grade: B
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Every year Ilgauskas seems to get more consistent, routinely putting up solid numbers and dominating the thinning center corps around the league. He seems to be playing better defense, inasmuch as he's taking more charges and moving more. When the ball goes to him in the post, the offense still stops, he almost never passes out and he often picks up cheap fouls that force him from the floor. Still, he gets bonus points for playing through a creaky left knee.
Grade: B
Eric Snow
He has been steady since Day One, winning the point guard job in training camp. He works hard on defense every night and understands his limits. He doesn't fire up 3s any more and only shoots when he's open. He still isn't the player the Cavs thought they traded for but he's having a better year.
Grade: C+
Drew Gooden
Most players in a contract year are obsessed with their stats. Gooden is obsessed with playing his role. He still has focus lapses, but he's grown more consistent during his stay here and fills the stat sheet almost every night.
Grade: B
Donyell Marshall
He's a quality veteran big man and those are hard to find, especially off the bench. When he's making shots, the Cavs usually win. But too often it seems he just looks for 3-pointers and he's not making as many as in years past.
Grade: B-
Damon Jones
Fans complain about his defense, but he's just doing what he's always done on that end. He's still the best 3-point shooter on the team, but his stats are down from last season and that's what the Cavs paid for.
Grade: C-
Ira Newble
His foot simply isn't healthy, and it's not clear when it will be. It has robbed him of his shot, though he can provide some situational defense.
Grade: C-
Alan Henderson
For the most part, he has been solid when called on, the sort of veteran big man the team needed after losing Robert Traylor even though he isn't much of a bruiser.
Grade: C+
Sasha Pavlovic
Has shown flashes and has been better than anyone else subbing for Hughes, but his game is far from well-rounded and there hasn't been much development since he arrived.
Grade: C-
Luke Jackson
A total mystery. There are nights when it looks like he's turning the corner and too many nights when he looks lost and bumbling. His frustration matches that of his numerous fans.
Grade: D+
Mike Wilks
He provides quickness and helps with matchups on the defensive end. Offensively, he hasn't been that efficient, shooting or running the show.
Grade: C-
Anderson Varejao
Has only played in eight games after returning from shoulder surgery. He still seems like he's got a long way to go to get back to his level from last season.
Grade: Incomplete