Well, it took several seasons but finally a player has emerged who is sick and tired of polishing the statue that has become LeBron James. His name is DeShawn Stevenson and tonight he not only helped the Wizards beat the Cavaliers 101-99, he then added some flame to an already hot rivalry with some choice words for the boy King.

"He's overrated," DeShawn said. "And you can say I said that."

LeBron James is far from overrated but I loved what I saw from Stevenson and the Washington Wizards the other night. Normally, players shake hands and exchange other pleasantries before the game begins. DeShawn chose to get right up in LeBron's grill and offer some choice words. His exact words are unclear, but the message that he wasn't going to back down was sent.

Stevenson talked the talk, then went out and walked the walk in holding LeBron to 9-for-22 shooting, 1-for-7 from the 3-point line. He also drew a key foul on the King with 19.4 seconds remaining. James was driving with a chance to tie - the Cavaliers trailed 96-94 - when he lowered his left shoulder into Stevenson for a foul. James' potential game-winning 27-footer, again with Stevenson guarding him, hit the front of the rim and bounced away as time expired.

LeBron is a great player. My choice as this season's MVP. That being said, I'm tired of watching opposing players and teams literally leave a red carpet for him to get to the basket. Foul him, send a message, make him earn two at the line. Brendan Haywood delivered a punishing blow that knocked LeBron to the ground late in the game. Hard foul yes, dirty play no. It was the type of play that epitomized the late 80's Detroit Pistons and early 90's New York Knicks.

I've always had a great deal of respect for those Knicks and Pistons teams. Unlike the majority of the league, they weren't intimidated by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, Xavier McDaniel, Anthony Mason, and John Starks made MJ work for everything he got. Yet Jordan persevered through physical play time and time again. Earning more than their respect in route to wining six NBA championships and becoming the greatest player of all-time.

I hope more teams and players follow DeShawn Stevenson and the Washington Wizards lead so we can see what the King is really made of. Charles Barkley once said, "see Tony Parker's good, but we just don't know how good Tony Parker really is. He aint never been hit." LeBron James got hit the other night and DeShawn Stevenson and the Washington Wizards won the ensuing battle.