If you had somehow been able to show me this game film at the start of the season I would not have believed what I saw from J.J. Hickson. He battled Tim Duncan without fear all night. He looked to make plays for himself when he got the ball. He attacked late in the game like a seasoned veteran. He made clutch free throws. He got a clutch rebound. His growth has been astounding this season.

Playing well in a game like this wasn't just impressive because it was against Duncan, it was impressive because it came without LeBron and Shaq. Though Hickson's had some good games this year, most of the time it was because he was playing off the guys getting double teams. He earned everything he got in this game, which was 12 points and seven rebounds in a game where the Cavs had to have it.

With Jamison, Shaq and LeBron not playing, suddenly No. 21 was a core player out there. Didn't think I'd see that day so soon.

...

Also, Hickson played well and got 35 minutes, which was a season high.

LTrain23 wrote: Also, Jawad Williams doesn't need mentioned, he's a Tar Heel so everybody should expect greatness out of him.. I've been trying to tell people about him all year

se-alum wrote: I wouldn't discount the pain that comes w/ a dislocated finger, not saying that Parker won't play through it, but it is very painful catching passes for a week or so after the dislocation. When I dislocated mine, I finished the game w/ relatively no pain, but it was very painful the next day.