<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MILWAUKEE - The Cavaliers are starting to catch glimpses of the real Larry Hughes. There's been some guy in the starting lineup wearing No. 32 who looks likes Hughes, especially when he puts on that headband. On other occasions, it must be an impostor. Hughes missed 10 games earlier this season with a high ankle sprain. Since returning to the active roster on Dec. 9 against Indiana, he's been a different player. He's launched jumper after jumper since then, but that's not really his game. He's never been a real accurate jump shooter, as his 41.4 career field-goal percentage will attest. He's earned his reputation as a slasher and a wicked defender. Opposing teams couldn't keep him from getting to the basket. The same intensity has been there on the defensive side, but he hasn't been overly effective. Slowly but surely, though, the real Hughes is making his presence felt. He blocked a shot from the lightning quick Sebastian Telfair on Wednesday during the Cavaliers' 107-104 victory in Boston. "I'm able to get some stops and getting my hands on some balls," he said. "It's feeling stronger. It was a little stiff early on because of the back-to-back. I played 45 minutes." His ankle remains a bit balky, especially on the second night of a back-to-back. "Surprisingly, I felt pretty good after last (Tuesday's game)," Hughes said. "Right now, it's feeling better. I have to get myself involved in the game a little more." He also had a two-handed slam in traffic with 3:50 remaining in the Celtics game. He said it was his first dunk since he hurt his ankle against Portland on Nov. 15. "I have not dunked since I have been back, not even in practice," Hughes said. "I figured I had to dunk it or get it blocked. I saw the big man coming over. I know I can get up there. I'm glad he was standing behind me, so I could hang up there for a while (on the rim) and land softly."</div> Source
This is what Hughes was paid all that money for. If he can produce this on a regular basis I have no doubt that he could become LeBron's Scotty Pippen. Larry can score and, importantly, defend hard to provide solid assistance for LeBron on both ends of the court. If he stays healthy and in form, the Cavaliers could go all the way, especially having won their last 3 games against the Spurs.
