There are only a handful of weeks left in the NBA regular season and the title contending teams around the league are starting to get bitten by the injury bug, especially the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Fortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, they have rarely had to deal with injury problems to key players, most notably LeBron James who has been able to stay healthy for the majority of his career. The second half of the NBA season has been rough for the Cavs though as they first have had to play without their starting center Shaquille O’Neal who suffered a finger injury which will keep him out the rest of the regular season.

There is no doubting that the Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the best teams in the NBA right now, if not the best, but without LeBron in the lineup the Cavs have noticeably struggled which makes many people wonder if LeBron isn’t on top of his game

Can Cleveland compete with the likes of the Orlando Magic or the Los Angeles Lakers when the time comes?

Personally, I don’t think they can, especially with players besides LeBron that are injury prone, Antawn Jamison, and in the twilight of their NBA career, Shaq. The Cavs many great role players like Mo Williams, Delonte West and up and coming youngster J.J. Hickson, but I still believe they are a season or so away from competing with the Los Angeles Lakers if they were able to get to the NBA Finals to face them.

The Cavs may have beaten the defending champs twice already this season, one win of which in extremely convincing fashion on Christmas Day, but I believe the Lakers a better all around team and will show that if these two teams meet in what would be a much anticipated NBA Finals matchup.

If the Cavs and the Lakers meet in the season finale that would be awesome, but for the time being the Cleveland Cavaliers need to concentrate on clinching the best record in the NBA and most importantly getting their key players healthy and ready for the playoffs.

The good news is that LeBron James will be in uniform and ready to go against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night in Philly at the Wachovia Center!