Anderson Varejao All-Star campaign led by Byron Scott

The Cleveland Cavaliers have gotten off to a disappointing start to the 2012 season, but it hasn't been because of the play of Anderson Varejao. The Cleveland center has been spectacular so far this year, putting up 14.1 points per game to go along with his league-leading 14.7 rebounds per game. With Dwight Howard in the Western Conference and Andrew Bynum out indefinitely, there are spots to be filled on the East All-Star team. Cavs coach Byron Scott thinks Varejao is a no-brainer.

"To me he's the best center in the NBA," Scott said. "By far the best center in the Eastern Conference. I think coaches and players are starting to recognize how well he's playing."

(via Ohio.com)

If Varejao isn't the outright best center in the NBA, he at least has played the best so far this season. Varejao is on a streak off six straight double-doubles and has put up 10 double-doubles in 14 games played. Going by player efficiency rating, Varejao has been the third-best center in the East so far this year, behind Chris Bosh and Brook Lopez. Most people around the NBA, though, would agree that Varejao does more on the defensive end than Bosh or Lopez.

Bosh is likely an All-Star lock if he's healthy, but after that, Varejao currently looks like as good a bet as any big man, especially if he keeps this level of play going.