Lack of physical defense helping superstars thrive

	The Suns' Raja Bell demonstrated the value of getting physical with Kobe Bryant. Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
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With an epic second round of the playoffs in the books, with San Antonio still smarting from a beating administered by their former whipping boys, and with the greater Cleveland area giddy over their future despite their recent elimination, it's time to open up the mailbag and hear what's on the minds of the people. So gimme that 'bag, Newman. NEWMAN!

Regarding the article about LeBron, I have always wondered why teams have not been more physical with Kobe. I do not understand the strategy. Do the teams that play the Lakers figure Kobe will get too tired to score?
-- Joe, Deland, Fla.

You're preaching to the choir, Joe. I was courtside for the first two games of the Cavaliers' series with the Wizards, and I watched in amazement during Game 1 as Washington acted as though LeBron had an E-ZPass to get into the lane. My beliefs were confirmed when a scout sitting next to me actually threw up his hands in exasperation at how easy James was getting to the hole. I'm not advocating violence. We've had one Artestian moment this decade; we don't need another. But look at how great teams have handled star players in the past. The Pistons made a living shoving Dennis Rodman down Michael Jordan's throat, and you can be sure there was no love lost between Jordan and Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn. Kobe is the most prolific scorer in the game today, but I loved what Raja Bell did to him. Face it, he got in Kobe's head. It's not about hurting someone; it's about making them think twice before coming into the lane. Does it work? Ask the Pistons.

Will the series with the Pistons define the start of LeBron's greatness?
-- Ryne, Papillion, Neb.

Absolutely. Certain reporters have said recently that LeBron is overrated. Ridiculous. I'll be honest, I've written some columns questioning LeBron's greatness to the extent that I think it's impossible to compare him to the likes of Jordan or Magic when he could barely get his team into the playoffs. But I'm a convert. I'm a witness. James' performance this postseason was remarkable, phenomenal -- choose your superlative. He averaged 30.8 points and 8.1 rebounds? At 21 years old? Who does that? Truly, the onus is now on Cavs GM Danny Ferry to find some help for his young superstar. Remember: Jordan didn't become great until he had Scottie Pippen by his side. It's wholly unreasonable to ask Ferry to acquire another Pippen, but another solid shooter (Vladimir Radmanovic) shouldn't be out of the question.

Who do you think will be coming out of the East and the West?
-- Robert, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Sunday night I had a conversation with my colleague Jack McCallum, who is currently working on what will most certainly be an insightful book on the Suns' roller-coaster ride of a season. He asked me who I liked in the respective Game 7's. I said San Antonio and the Clippers. The moral of the story? What do I know.