The Iverson vs. McGrady Debate

   Six scoring titles. 18 all-star games. 14 All-NBA teams. Zero rings. These are the numbers for two great players of the last 20 years who retired within a week of one another. Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady. The Answer vs. T-Mac. So, you have to ask, who had the better career? 

   The debate isn't that close actually, it's Iverson. His 2001 season alone exceeds any of McGrady's individual accolades. He won MVP and the scoring title in '01, and no one has done that since. He carried a Sixers team to the Finals, where HE, not his team, was able to steal a game against a hugely superior Lakers team. If basketball had pound-for-pound rankings like boxing, AI would have been number one during his whole prime. Even while Shaq and Kobe were winning titles with ease, or while Tim Duncan was quietly winning MVPs and rings himself in San Antonio, Iverson would consistently be referred to as the NBA's marquee player. 

   Never had the NBA feared a 6'0", 165-pound guard before Iverson. You bet swagger had something to do with it. Sure, Jordan and Magic were cool enough to bring the house down every night, but swag was never more obvious before than with Iverson. Covered in tattoos, with a headband, arm sleeve and finger bands to go with, he created the NBA-rap culture that has defined the league from a youth point of view. 

   But let's take a look at McGrady anyway. An no, not the T-Mac that played for the Spurs last season. Known in Toronto as a project and also Vince Carter's cousin, McGrady needed the change of scenery in Orlando to blossom. On mediocre Magic teams in 2003 and 2004, he won back-to-back scoring titles, including an impressive 32.1 in '03. 

    The next and last happy chapter of McGrady's career was in Houston. As the centerpiece of a trade for Stevie "Franchise" Francis, McGrady and Yao Ming teamed up to form a solid duo for the Rockets. These two had potential , but they never caught the needed breaks to make a playoff run. Injuries to both star players derailed Houston for years to the likes of the Spurs, Mavs and Suns. After bouncing around from New York to Detroit to Atlanta and then China, McGrady saw the Spurs as a chance to get that elusive ring. But, you know, then Ray Allen did his thing. 

   I look at McGrady's career as an unlucky one. Injuries derailed the latter half of his career and he never really got the chance to win a ring while in his prime. But even if you look at his prime in a vacuum, would you have taken 2001-2007 T-Mac over Kobe from the same time? No. And would you take T-Mac over today's best small forwards in LeBron, Durant and Melo? I don't think so. But hey, I'd take him over his cousin Vince any day.

   Now let's close with Iverson. There have only been four better shooting guards in NBA history. Jordan, Kobe, West and Wade. That's it. We'll remember his baggy Sixers uniform, his uncanny ability to beat bigger men at their own game and most infamously, this speech. But remember this too: We will never see another Allen Iverson. Just ask MJ.

How Dwight Howard Can Become an All-Time Great

If you've watched basketball at all for the last two years, you're right, the title is crazy. Dwight Howard, who after a dramatic free agency pursuit chose the Rockets to be his third team in three years last night, should be out of any all-time great conversation by now. I won't deny that it's a stretch, or even crazy, but Howard becoming a top-20 player of all-time is not out of the question. There's a possibility that, at the end of his career, we'll be looking at Howard's name right behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone on the list of great centers.

I chose Moses and Hakeem for contemporaries because ideally, Howard can become a mixture of these two dominant centers. Howard can never be part of the Russell, Kareem and Wilt level, and he's almost certainly out of the Shaq/Duncan conversation. But Hakeem and Moses? Howard just might be able to scratch the surface of these two greats, while also following their career arcs to an extent (he's already on his way by becoming a Rocket). So let's take a nice, hypothetical walk down the road in Houston and see how Dwight Howard can stack up historically if things go right.

1. Howard wins 2014 MVP, 2014 title and Finals MVP.

Well I didn't waste time in making a stretch, did I? You're thinking how can Howard possibly be MVP in a league with LeBron, two dominant scorers (Melo and Durant), a slew of elite point guards, and some aging greats who are still hungry for a ring (Kobe, Duncan, Dirk). Howard has one advantage that LeBron, Durant, Melo and Chris Paul do not have, low personal expectations. The way to "steal" and MVP is to win when you're not expected to. Often times, leaping expectations will lead to voters giving the MVP to a guy, even if he's not the best player in the league (Rose 2011). If Durant, Paul and Melo (all superstars coming off good seasons) don't improve on their team or individual success in 2013-2014 and voters get tired of picking LeBron (happened with Jordan), then Howard is just one vintage 2009 or 2010 season away from becoming MVP. Yeah I know, easier said than done.

Okay, so Dwight has won MVP. He's a third of the way there. Let's say that the Rockets get to the Finals, winning a tough series over the Clippers and a sweet revenge series over the Thunder in the process. The Rockets are now matched up with Miami. The Rockets' three-point attack works against the Heat's hyper-aggressive D, with Chandler Parsons becoming Danny Green 2.0. Harden clearly outplays an aged Dwyane Wade and Howard has a DOMINANT series by crushing Chris Bosh on the boards, and completely punishing the Heat's small ball strategy. LeBron does all he can, but the Rockets, with two of the best three players in the series, dethrone the Heat. It's crucial that Howard wins Finals MVP to cap off his great year. This is his '83 Moses/'94 Hakeem moment. His giant smile and shoulders pop out of the TV screen as he holds up both trophies in an empty Miami arena. Finally, this championship gets him back on the redemption track.

2. Howard and the Rockets contend for the next five to seven years, winning another title along the way.

The hardest part is over, the pressure is off. Coming off that behemoth 2014 season, Howard and Harden are officially the best tandem in the league because they don't have the problem of two ball-dominant stars (Durant/Westbrook). The two trade off nights being the Rockets best player, with the inside-out system being the team's truest star. Howard starts every all-star game in this time, and becomes the only great center of his era. As he hits 30, his athleticism lessens, but his skills and footwork only get better (a perk of being coached by McHale and being trained by Hakeem). Howard may not win another MVP, but he's perennially in the top five in voting, and league's best big man. And most importantly, the Rockets win another title at some point. Howard doesn't have to be Finals MVP this time. It's obvious that he's a great player and he's so synonymous with Houston's success that Harden edging him for Finals MVP doesn't mean anything against his legacy. Dwight ages gracefully, defying his mid-career injury problems and retires a Rocket. Number 12 hangs in the Houston rafters.

And that's all Dwight has to do to become an all-time great. It's only a two-step process. His Rockets team mirrors Hakeem's with that floor spacing of shooters and Howard in the middle of it all. Throw in a dash of Moses, as it takes Howard's third team to get the best out of him. And there you have it: Dwight Howard, top 20 player ever. It can be done.

The (New Orleans) Pelican Brief

When sports news is slow during the dog days of summer, we'd usually see an NBA trade involving a current all-star as big news, but last week, this was not the case. I'm referring to the Jrue Holiday deal, which sent to Nerlens Noel and a 2014 first-rounder to Philadelphia in exchange for the 23-year-old point guard becoming a Pelican. Maybe it was the Nets going all in that night or the dozens of other trades or even the epic Bill Simmons-Doc Rivers verbal war, but the Holiday trade has flown way under the radar considering what he brings to a young franchise.

First off, let's looks at how Holiday fits into the Pelicans backcourt. He and Eric Gordon form a very solid backcourt on paper. The lengthy Holiday is an above average defender and will pick up the slack of Gordon on that end. Of course Holiday will start at the point, which would move Greivis Vasquez to the bench. Vasquez was one of the league's most improved players last season, so it's uncertain how he would cope with a bench role after a career year. But Vasquez as sixth man would be a nice move for the Pelicans. Much like Jarrett Jack in Golden State, Vasquez could be a combo guard who is comfortable with or without the ball in crunch time. But what about those Tyreke Evans rumors?

The presence of Evans would officially mean New Orleans has a crowded backcourt. The four-year/$44 million deal that the Pelicans offered Evans is likely contingent on his willingness to play small forward. On a team already full of ball-handlers, would Evans be of any help? It's unclear if he'd be anything more than an insurance policy for the fragile Gordon. But using him at small forward would give the Pelicans a non-guard who can create his own shot. Ryan Anderson is a great rebounder and three-point shooter, but he can't put the ball on the floor. This would make Evans a nice foil to Anderson on the opposite wing.

Finally, we cannot talk about New Orleans without mentioning Anthony Davis. The number one overall pick from 2012 is the most important person in this franchise. After a good, but sometimes hobbled rookie year, Davis should be ready for a leap next year. And although he's a future all-star, Davis may not be a complete player until his fourth season. In Davis, the Pelicans have a franchise cornerstone. He's destined to become a 20-10, shot-blocking monster, but until then, he and the Pelicans will be one of those teams that are just "not there yet."

So will New Orleans be a playoff team next year? In a word, no. I like their team, but the West is just too tough. For instance, the two playoff teams from last year that are the most uncertain to be back next year are the Lakers and Nuggets. Assuming these two teams have lousy offseasons and don't look postseason bound, a re-tooled Mavs team and solid Blazers team will probably take their place. Throw in a healthy Kevin Love in Minnesota and the Pelicans are clearly on the outside looking in, along with other young teams like Utah and Phoenix.

As we've learned from Charlotte, switching mascots from the Hornets is not always a good thing. But with a core lead by The Brow and That Boy Jrue, New Orleans could be in a lot worse shape. Good luck, you Pelicans.

2013 Lottery Mock Draft

     It's that time of the year again. You know, the time of regrettable suits and awkward handshakes with David Stern. The time when words like motor, upside and wingspan get thrown around like candy in a summer parade. It's time for the NBA Draft!

     On the eve of the draft, I'm doing a mock draft of my own. With a slate of pre-draft trade rumors, I waited as long as I could, but in about 24 hours, the draft will be in full swing. With so much uncertainty in a weak, yet deep draft, I'm sticking to just the lottery picks. Here's who I think will be the first 14 names called tomorrow night. 

1. Cleveland Cavs- Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky. 

Noel's draft stock was uncertain after his season-ending knee injury in February, but then for a few months, he was close to a consensus number one pick. Now, it's back to uncertainty, but I still take him first if I'm the Cavs. Seven foot athletes don't come around often. And while his offensive game is raw, what big man is polished when they enter the league? Only 19, Noel will get stronger and can be the defensive centerpiece of a team with one of the best young backcourts in the league. For big men entering the NBA, I focus mostly on shot-blocking and rebounding. And if the Cavs take Noel, they'll get college's best shot-blocker from last season.   

2. Orlando Magic- Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana. 

Originally I had Trey Burke going here, but a looming Eric Bledsoe for Arron Afflalo deal (which makes sense) was enough for me to make Oladipo the number two pick. The Magic need a ton of help, so why not take one of the sure bets in this year's draft. Oladipo will give it his all every night, and he's the best perimeter defender in the draft. The offense needs work, but if he can develop a consistent three-pointer, Oladipo will one of the best young two-way players in the league. All the Magic can do is improve on their NBA-worst record from last season. Orlando gets hustle and leadership with Oladipo. 

3. Washington Wizards- Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown. 

 I said Oladipo was a sure bet in this draft, Porter is another one. He did it all last season for the Hoyas, and I think he can keep up his good work while staying in D.C. By the end of last season, the Wizards were absolutely one of the eight best teams in the East. With some lottery luck, they fell into the third pick, and Porter is falling into their laps here. Porter is a smart player who will do great with his space on the floor in the NBA. Space that will be plenty available while playing with John Wall and Bradley Beal. He's as NBA ready as anyone in this draft, and Porter is the final piece of a potentially great perimeter in D.C. 

4. Charlotte Bobcats- Alex Len, C, Maryland. 

The Bobcats had the worst roster in the league last year, yet only get the fourth pick in the draft. Luck definitely hasn't been on Charlotte's side in the MJ era. So why take a project center who just had surgery on his foot? The Bobcats need help everywhere, so drafting the potential in Len cannot really set them back too much. He's a natural center, something that is becoming more rare in today's NBA. If Len works out, he's Brook Lopez, but better on defense. If he busts, then he's like a dozen other big men. McClemore makes sense here too, but there will be plenty of scorers in next year's stacked draft. A draft in which the Bobcats will surely be picking top five in. 

5. Phoenix Suns- Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas. 

McClemore's gifts weren't always apparent on a balanced Kansas team last year, but when they were apparent, this kid could explode. A lights-out, yet streaky shooter, McLemore will be the best player available if he's there at number five. For Phoenix, who is a franchise quietly in bad shape, taking the best player available is a good strategy. Goran Dragic is an underrated point guard and the Suns best player. He can create shots for McLemore, who needs to be more aggressive as a pro. He's one of the best shooters and athletes in the draft, which is why McLemore is first on some analysts' big boards. 

6. New Orleans Pelicans- Trey Burke, PG, Michigan. 

I can't see college's best player from last season slipping any further than sixth in this draft. I've been in on Burke as a pro since before last season, and his heroic showings in the NCAA tournament only reinforced that. The Pelicans already have a decent backcourt on paper. Eric Gordon is a proven scorer and Greivis Vasquez was one of the most improved players last season. But Gordon has constant durability issues and Vasquez is not a pure point guard. In making Burke the first Pelican drafted, New Orleans gets the best point guard of the class and a guy who can get to the hole and possibly set up a lethal pick-and-roll with Anthony Davis.



7. Sacramento Kings- Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV. 

I wish I saw more of Bennett in his one year of college. But hey, that happens when you play in the Mountain West for a one and done team in the NCAA tourney. Bennett, a Canadian national, is a tweener who's more power forward because of his strength. With this tweener label, you might steer clear of Bennett with Derrick Williams in mind, but a consistent three-point shot is the difference between Williams and Bennett. The Kings have a lot of holes in their roster as usual. The versatile Bennett makes sense here because he can play both forward spots.



8. Detroit Pistons- C.J. McCollum, PG, Lehigh. 

McCollum's signature game came two years ago, when he lead 15th seed Lehigh to a win over Duke. He spent most of his senior year on the bench with a broken foot, but some impressive workouts have made McCollum the best small-school player in this draft. The obvious comparison is Damian Lillard, who came out of Weber State to win rookie of the year last season. McCollum might be a better shooter than Lillard, which is why he will be a combo guard in an NBA full of point guards already. Paired with Brandon Knight in Detroit, McCollum will look less like Lillard and more like Ben Gordon in his days with the Bulls.



9. Minnesota Timberwolves- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia. 

With such a great name, it's hard to imagine how KCP remained anonymous this past season. In a weak year for the SEC, he was the conference's best player on a bad Georgia team. He's a natural shooting guard and gifted scorer, who fills a need in Minnesota. It's no secret that the Wolves want to move up to grab Oladipo or McLemore. But if the teams at the top won't budge, the Wolves would be smart to stand pat and take Caldwell-Pope at nine.





10. Portland Trail Blazers- Shabazz Muhammad, SG, UCLA. 

Muhammad entered the season as one of the two best freshmen. Things haven't gone as smoothly from there, as his one year at UCLA was filled with controversy. Some say that Muhammad is no longer a lottery pick, but I think his NBA talent keeps him in the top ten. His strength and offensive game are the positives, but characters issues have weighed him down. On a talented Blazers team with strong leadership, Muhammad can step in at shooting guard or sixth man and help Portland try to sneak into the playoffs.

11. Philadelphia 76ers- Cody Zeller, PF/C, Indiana. 

Clearly the Andrew Bynum trade didn't work out for the Sixers, so why not take a swing at a big man in this draft? There's no doubt that Zeller needs to get stronger, but he's still an NBA athlete who can run the floor like few seven footers. With a frontcourt that really only consists of Spencer Hawes, the Sixers need help. For all the criticism that he took after Indiana's early exit last season, Zeller fits the mold of an NBA big man, and will be helped by a good point guard in Jrue Holiday.





12. Oklahoma City Thunder- Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh. 

Adams was not a great college player by any means. Every lottery has at least one project, and Adams is that guy. Fortunately, when you're a championship contender, you can afford to draft projects. From New Zealand, Adams has size, strength and athleticism, but he's not close to putting it all together. If taken by the Thunder, he will likely be a D-league guy. This pick is OKC's last piece of the Harden deal, and while they clearly missed the Beard last season, they won't miss Adams while he develops.




13. Dallas Mavericks- Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse. 

The Mavs aren't used to picking in the lottery in the Mark Cuban era, but that's the case this year. MCW is a top ten player in the draft, and if he falls to number 13, Dallas should take him. Darren Collison wasn't the answer at point guard last year, but maybe the 6'6" Carter-Williams is. He's a gifted passer who can get into the lane, and his defense will be good since he's a Syracuse guy. The Mavs will surely make a few moves in free agency, but adding MCW to this veteran team would be the best possible start to their offseason.




14. Utah Jazz- Shane Larkin, PG, Miami. 

With Larkin, the main question is size. Should the Jazz use their top pick on a guy who might be six foot. Well, unless they fall in love with Kelly Olynyk, Mason Plumlee or a foreigner, I say yes. The Jazz already have a loaded frontcourt in what is a guard's league. By pairing Larkin in a backcourt with a bigger, experienced guard, the Jazz will have something. Last year, on a Miami team full of seniors, it was Larkin, a sophomore, who was their leader. NBA teams have to like that.


So there it is, picks 1-14. Please feel free to comment and start a debate on any of my selections. And don't forget to watch the draft tomorrow, 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Heat Repeat

It's a party in South Beach! The Miami Heat are back-to-back NBA champions after their Game 7 win last night over the Spurs. To no one's surprise, LeBron James won Finals MVP after a 37 point, 12 rebound showing in Game 7 that came complete with the clutch jumpers he has worked so hard at. So let's look back at the Heat's season, the Finals (mostly games 6 and 7) and the legacies after an epic 2012-2013 NBA season. 

 
If the 2013 Heat are not on the short list for NBA's all time great teams, they're on the slightly longer list. NBA history points to Jordan's '96 Bulls, Larry's '86 Celtics and Magic's '87 Lakers as probably the three greatest teams of all time. But can the '13 Heat join a conversation with the Shaq-Kobe 2000 or 2001 Lakers, the Moses Malone-led '82 Sixers and the Bad Boy Pistons two championship teams? Probably. The NBA is at its strongest right now since the early 90s and maybe ever. With almost ten first rate superstars in the league, LeBron's '13 Heat come as a product of his best season (so far). Combine James with a second star in Dwyane Wade and lethal three-point shooting, this Heat team could challenge any NBA squad that's considered to be all time great.

And how about that Finals? Has their ever been more different emotional swings over the course of seven games? Between talking heads pressing countless "panic buttons" for both teams, Danny Green being prematurely named Finals MVP, Wade and Manu Ginobli turning in nightly Jeckyll and Hyde performances, and insane second half runs, this was already a historical Finals. But Tony Parker's crazy shot in Game 1 aside, this wasn't exactly hyper-entertaining. Sure the great players made it seem like we were watching close games when in reality games 2-5 were in blowout territory. But everything changed in games 6 and 7. 

   
You know you're left for dead when your own fans start filing out, the yellow rope is around the court and the Larry O'Brien trophy is sitting in a tunnel. That's how close we came to a Spurs fifth championship and litany of questions about LeBron's 1-3 Finals record and the future of Miami's Big Three. But then came a delicious little sequence called: LeBron 3-Kawhi miss-Bosh board-Allen 3 to send Game 6 into overtime, where a headband-less LeBron carried the Heat through to Game 7 and avoiding a dramatic-for-the-wrong-reasons-ending and the label of Greatest Regular Season Team To Not Win A Championship. All the crap Ray Allen got for joining the Heat was wiped away with one of the greatest shots ever by one of the greatest shooters ever. Can i get a Jesus Shuttlesworth chant? 

   
And of course we remember Game 7, which ended about 24 hours ago. Two great, yet exhausted teams playing with more heart than skill in possibly the biggest NBA game since 1998. It wasn't pretty, few Game 7s are, but with an all time performance from LeBron and a great sideshow from Wade and Shane Battier, the Heat outlasted the Spurs 95-88 to send Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich to their first Finals defeat. In the end, the Heat had the best player in the world. And in the NBA, that's one hell of an advantage. 

   
So what's next for our Finals participants? The Heat will likely look similar next year. It's hard not to retain a core after two straight championships. Allen and Birdman will likely return to South Beach, while the same cannot be said for Mike Miller. Miami's summer will be more relaxing than every other team's, with a Greg Oden signing as the main free agency storyline. The Spurs next year will be old once again, although that wasn't a problem this year. The most uncertainty revolves around Ginobli, who clearly cannot be counted on consistently. One thing that San Antonio learned from this tough defeat: Kawhi Leonard is a stud. The quietest Spur did not flinch in these NBA Finals. He was the Spurs most consistent player and absolutely has star potential. But let's finish on a hot note with the Heat.

   
Take one look at the championship shirts. WHITE HOT is the resounding message. Although the shirt may be referring to summer temperatures in Miami, I see WHITE HOT as a bragging team laying claim to the league's best player. A guy who, with every season, ventures more into the Jordan-Russell superstar pantheon than anyone since MJ himself. Take on look at LeBron holding his two trophies. Not only is it good to be WHITE HOT, but it looks damn refreshing.

Just because the season is over, doesn't mean we are. Stay posted for a mock draft later this week.   

Can Kidd Coach?

During this two day break from basketball that seems to be taking forever, let’s step away from the Finals and take a look at the most interesting story of the 2013 NBA Coaching Carousel. Jason Kidd, the greatest Net of all-time, returning to the team with which he spent his best years…as a coach. Just 10 days after retiring as a player, Kidd has decided to stay on the bench (which is where he should have spent this Knicks playoff run) and coach the Brooklyn Nets. Will he be the man to elevate the Nets from first-round exit team to legitimate contender?

It’s impossible to predict exactly how Kidd will do in Brooklyn because he’s never coached on any level before, but why not root for him to succeed? Two former players to lead the bench without ever having coaching experience are some of the NBA’s most likable and charismatic coaches. Doc Rivers, who won a championship in 2008 in Boston and is another name in the Carousel this year, is a top five coach in the league, and it’s his understanding players that is his best quality. Mark Jackson has gone from player to coach with a pit-stop as a commentator to become the leader of a promising young Warriors team. It’s his preaching style that he learned as a tough point guard that he uses for his youthful Warriors team. And Kidd was a much better player at point guard than both Rivers and Jackson. He’s an elite floor general of all time.

Just before hiring Kidd, sources said the Nets were impressed with his interview. I bet this interview involved some sort of promise he made: That he can not only get through to Deron Williams, but get him to play the best basketball of his career. Williams went from once dueling  Chris Paul for Best Young Point Guard to becoming a “coach-killer” and falling out of the top PG conversation in the last few years. In Brooklyn, D-Will’s supporting cast isn’t ideal, but Kidd knows that all too well. The Williams-Kidd relationship will be the key that Kidd’s success as a coach hinges on. You have to think that Kidd can get the most out of Williams and in doing that, also make Brook Lopez more dominant at center. With all the coaching vacancies/uncertainties around the league, you could do a lot worse than a Williams-Lopez-Johnson core in a big market.

Hiring a guy who’s never coached before can be seen as risky. But after a first-round exit, the Nets are dangerously close to NBA no man’s land, so there’s really no risk at all. I’m in on Kidd.

Finals Preview: The Legacy Game

     Well, it's finally here. The NBA Finals begin tonight. Die-hard fans have been watching since October for this. Casual fans will flock to TV sets across America to see who will be crowned NBA champion. And thousands of haters will be spite-watching this year, as the Heat and Spurs are two of the most widely hated teams in the NBA (along with the Lakers). 

     Like any Finals series, we can break it down in a multitude of ways. Individual matchups, strategies or even post-game wardrobes, every angle of Heat-Spurs will be beaten to death before the opening tip tonight. But with each team boasting an all-time great, one thing that comes to mind is legacies. The careers of LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker and even Gregg Popovich will all be greatly affected by what happens in these Finals. So win or lose, what will happen to the legacies of the big names in this series. 

LeBron James

     It all starts with LeBron when it comes to the NBA, and this article is no different. Win or lose for Miami, LeBron's play will be the hot topic. Let's start with the possibility of winning. If Miami wins, the MVP will be LeBron. At this point, it's hard to see him not-dominating against a Spurs team who's best defensive answer for him will be second-year Kawhi Leonard. A win makes him a two-time champ, and multiple rings are always important for a great NBA legacy. A win also makes him a virtual lock for best player of the decade, even if we're not halfway through it yet. And as if he wasn't fully confident in his abilities, back-to-back championships will reinforce what he, and everyone else knows: That this dude can play.

     But what about a loss? The 2011 Finals backlash already showed us what happens when LeBron loses a Finals where he's supposed to win, but 2013 won't go down the same way. He's a different beast now, and he can't possibly play that badly again. A loss here may not even be his fault, yet it will be enough to give Skip Bayless and Co. plenty to talk about this summer. And even though, the Heat would never trade LeBron, a Finals loss will bring about major personnel changes in Miami. Which brings us to...

Dwyane Wade

     Wade has not been at his best in these playoffs. In fact, he's played the worst basketball of his career. But everyone would forget the banged up 2013 version of Wade if the Heat coast to another championship (and Wade's third). If Miami wins, Wade will likely be the active, driving, cutting force that he was in Game 7 versus Indiana. But if they lose, he may be panic-traded. It's clear that he has lost a step at age 31, and you don't get any younger in this league. Wade has never been the ideal sidekick for LeBron, but a Finals loss may get Pat Riley to start searching for one. Luckily for Wade, he won't be the main scapegoat with a Heat loss, but of course, he won't get much glory if they win either.

Tim Duncan/Gregg Popovich

     If the Spurs win, an already much-closer-than-people-think Kobe-Duncan comparison will get even more interesting. Championships 14 years apart is an insane accomplishment. But when you consider his efficiency, All-Star selection and All-NBA selection, Duncan has already been pretty insane this year at age 37. Even though he's played center for the last decade, Duncan is regarded as the greatest power forward of all-time. A fifth championship will make it that much harder for someone to take that title from him.

     Like Duncan, Coach Pop is an all-time great who will always be underrated because of a Laker counterpart. He's a seasoned, crusty coach who seems destined to destroy the concept of in-game coaching interviews. If the Spurs win, people will say that he rode Duncan to five rings. But Timmy D will be the first to say that Pop was just as (if not more) valuable to the Spurs success. A San Antonio loss? All Duncan and Pop would lose is their perfect Finals record. And 4-1 still isn't bad. People would say that Duncan and the Spurs just couldn't compete with the high flying Heat. Translation: They're old!!! -- which they are. 

Tony Parker

     Parker may be getting overlooked in this series, which is odd because he's the Spurs best player and he just destroyed the Grizzlies. Parker's 2007 Finals MVP performance wasn't enough to elevate him into the elite point guard status, but maybe a win here will. The NBA now is a more point guard-focused league than it was in 2007. With Rose, Rondo and Westbrook missing these playoffs with injuries and Chris Paul suffering a disappointing first-round exit, Parker would be primed for elevation with another Finals MVP. If the Spurs lose, Parker was likely swarmed by LeBron for much of the series, and his penetration was ineffective due to Spurs role players missing 3's. 

     A Spurs over Heat outcome would definitely produce more stories, but here's one for the 2013 Heat as a whole. If they can pull off a dominating series win over the Spurs, they immediately become one of the greatest NBA teams of all-time (and the 2013 Pacers would also get a ton of respect as a result). Either way, the 2013 Finals look to be historical. And since no preview is complete without a prediction...Heat in 6. 

Don't Mess With (NBA teams in) Texas

With the Spurs sitting in the comfortable position of awaiting their Finals opponent, they have regained their stranglehold once again on the Lone Star state. For years the Texas Triangle was easily the most daunting road trip in the NBA. Facing the Duncan-Parker-Ginobli Spurs, the Yao-McGrady Rockets and the fully-in-his-prime-Dirk in the span of four days was no fun for anybody. A complete changing of the guard in Houston and a talent drop-off in Dallas put the Spurs in control of Texas once again. But after this season, there could be a new talent infusion in Texas as Dwight Howard and Chris Paul could be leaving L.A.

Let’s start with what we know about Howard. He can make the most money if he signs with the Lakers. He has obviously not fully recovered from back surgery yet. And most frustratingly, he changes his mind almost daily. So it is hard to predict what he will do. But we know he is open to becoming a Rocket. Word is that James Harden went to L.A. on a recruiting trip a few weeks ago and Howard recently followed the Beard on Twitter for what it’s worth. Houston is now trying to trade rookie Thomas Robinson to clear cap space for Howard.

Houston  has to seem attractive to Howard. The opportunity to play with a legit star in Harden, along with a fun system and solid role players in Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin is getting harder to pass up as the Lakers 2013-2014 season looks bleak right now. In a way, Houston is like a better version of the 2009 Magic team that Howard carried to the Finals. We know that three-point shooters around Howard works as a winning team in this league. And pairing him with Harden may just form a championship contender.

Now, on to Paul. CP3 is reportedly upset that he is being blamed for the Clippers firing Vinny Del Negro after their first round exit. This Clips are treading in dangerous water now. Paul has already turned down one extension with them, so it’s conceivable that he’d turn down another one, even though L.A. can pay him more than any other team. For the pitbull that he is on the court, Paul has a spotless reputation in the NBA. There’s no way he wants to be known as a coach-killer. Chris (and Cliff) Paul may be taking their assists somewhere else next season.

Dallas makes the most sense for Paul. He gets a top five coach in Rick Carlisle, an owner willing to spend in Mark Cuban and a Finals MVP sidekick in Dirk Nowitzki. Doesn’t his compare favorably to an unknown commodity at coach and immature, raw big men in Blake Griffin (who Paul has been at odds with) and DeAndre Jordan? A Paul-Nowitzki Mavs team with cap space would be an attractive free agent destination. And who better than CP3 to make everything gel?

It was a sad L.A. story for Paul and especially Howard. And in order to overtake the Spurs in the West, they may have to join them in the Lone Star state to fulfill their championship aspirations.

Heat-Pacers Preview

Yes, the Eastern Conference Finals are happening. After the Pacers dispatched the Knicks on Saturday night, the matchup of Miami-Indiana was set, and yet Game 1 was slated for Wednesday, making the Heat wait a week between series’ for a second time in these playoffs. But finally, with the game tomorrow, we can preview Heat-Pacers, a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Semis.

The Pacers impressively took out the Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks in six games by using their length offensively and defensively to get better quality of shots and hold New York to low shooting percentages. Like the Knicks, the Heat play small-ball, with their most dynamic player as a stretch 3-4. So they’ll be able to do the same thing to Miami as they did to the Knicks, right?

Not really. Miami isn’t New York. LeBron James is not Carmelo. And Dwyane Wade, albeit banged up, is a much more reliable second scorer than J.R. Smith. Staying hypothetical, let’s go over how the Pacers might beat the Heat.

George Hill at the point may be able to get hot from 3, exploit the Heat’s defensive traps and become an reliable perimeter scorer that Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole struggle to defend. Lance Stephenson may be able to make life miserable on Wade, forcing the ill-advised fadaways that Wade has resorted to with his injured knee. Paul George might just be able to defend LeBron himself, causing the King to shoot under 50 percent and making his passes to openshooters less effective. David West may out-muscle Miami, and become an X-factor in the frontcourt. And Roy Hibbert just might fully use his size advantage against Chris Bosh, and go for 20 points every night, along with five blocks on the defensive end. That all sounds great for Indiana and coach Frank Vogel, but one thing, THIS IS A FLAWED PACERS TEAM.

They only score 92 PPG. They’re a lock for 15+ turnovers. The Heat will out-shoot them from 3. George, a first time All-Star this year and bright young player, will have to make a monumental leap if he hopes to go toe-to-toe with LeBron on both ends. Hibbert, a quality center, is not regarded as a consistent star in the NBA because of his inability to use his size to his advantage every game. And if things go right for Indiana and these are close games late in the fourth quarter, the advantage will still go to the team with the world’s best player on it.

Prediction: Heat in 5

Heat defeat Bulls; Take 3-1 series lead

Was it the Marquis Teague tip into the wrong basket? Or the nine point third quarter? Or the Norris Cole 3 to end that third quarter? Any of these things could sum up the Bulls’ night, as they very much looked like an undermanned team, getting throttled 88-65 against Miami.

After shooting just 25 percent for the game, you have to wonder if this Bulls team is running on empty. Their catalyst, Nate Robinson, who had been at the center of huge wins in Game 4 versus Brooklyn and Game 1 against the Heat, scored zero points, on 0-12 shooting. Their emotional leader, Joakim Noah, had six point on only one made basket. After getting blown out for the second time in three games, it looks like Game 5 in Miami could be it for the Bulls’ season.

As for the Heat, they coasted through most of the second half, holding the Bulls to that nine-point third quarter and leading by 19 to begin the fourth. LeBron James lead all scorers with 27 points, to go with seven boards and eight dimes. The Heat were uncharacteristically sloppy for parts of the second and third quarters, but their defense kept the Bulls from ever really being in the game.

Chris Bosh, who scored 12 points in the first half, was LeBron’s main sidekick early on. In the second half, everyone got in the scoring mix for the Heat, as LeBron started settling in and finding open shooters. Dwyane Wade, whose six points all came in the third quarter, looked banged up after a small collision in the first half. His health will be a concern as Miami goes forward.

So after shocking the Heat and winning Game 1 in Miami, the tide has turned on the Bulls and they had back down 3-1. Game 5 is Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.

Every series is tied 1-1. Now what?

After the first two games of every round one series, the home teams were 14-2, but that’s not the case in round two. Everyone is 1-1 in what is shaping up to be a wild second round filled with ejections, comebacks and epic individual scoring performances. In fact, it’s so wild, I won’t even bother to predict the outcome of any series. But with what we already know from games 1 and 2, here’s an outlook at games 3 and 4.

Heat vs. Bulls

Heading back to Chicago, how will the Bulls react to that game 2 beatdown? Expect Joakim Noah with help from the crowd to energize the team. Remember how well they bounced back after that blowout loss in game 1 against Brooklyn? But obviously the Heat are not the Nets, and this is familiar territory for them. Each of the last two playoffs, Miami has dropped a game 1 and then went on to win the series in five, including the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals against these Bulls. We saw the Heat equal the Bulls’ toughness level last night, but they also found a way to score efficiently and stop the Chicago’s limited offensive attack. Tom Thibodeau will need to make adjustments, and quick, or else this series will be 3-1 Miami after game 4.

Knicks vs. Pacers

So far in the playoffs, the Pacers are 3-0 at home, with three dominant wins over the Hawks in round one. This series is especially hard to pick because neither game in New York was close. Carmelo Anthony’s scoring has been there, but the efficiency hasn’t. And for sixth man J.R. Smith, neither scoring, nor efficiency has been there since getting ejected from that game 3 in Boston. The Knicks need their leading scorers to carry the offense, but it doesn’t help when they’re taking 50+ shots a game. Expect this series to tighten up in Indiana, so much so that this one will be headed back to New York tied 2-2.

Thunder vs. Grizzlies

Memphis dictated the flow of games 1 and 2, and if not for standard Kevin Durant heroics in game 1, they’d be up 2-0. Marc Gasol is playing at the top of his game, being the center of everything the Grizzlies do offensively and defensively. Mike Conley is improving on a national stage, and if not for Stephen Curry, he’d be the breakout star of these playoffs. Durant is literally doing it all for OKC and it still hasn’t been enough sometimes. Nothing is coming easily to the Thunder as a team right now. With Serge Ibaka and Kevin Martin having been inconsistent on the road, Durant faces even more of a burden in Memphis, where I expect the Grizzlies to roll to a 3-1 lead.

Spurs vs. Warriors

I try to learn something from every game I watch, but game 1 was so entertaining, all I really learned is that this thing is going seven. Even after blowing a huge lead and then almost blowing another, don’t the Warriors have to feel good? They are outplaying the Spurs for the majority of games, and stole home court advantage, which is huge when coming back to Oracle Arena’s sea of gold. Can they expect Curry and Klay Thompson to have career game every night? Well maybe, but even if they don’t, role players such as Carl Landry and Draymond Green will play better at home. However, the old guard Spurs, partly lead by new guys Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, are not going down 3-1. They’ll win a game in Oracle, and this one will be tied heading back to the Alamo.

Can The Bulls Close It Out?

With Kirk Hinrich likely out, Taj Gibson and Luol Deng game-time decisions, and no miracle signs pointing to a Derrick Rose return tonight, the Bulls will be shorthanded in their second effort to wrap up their first round series against Brooklyn.

Game 6 will be Chicago’s last chance to close out the Nets at home, and avoid going back to Brooklyn for Game 7 in which they’d have no momentum. Injuries have been part of the Bulls struggles so far this series, so the possibility of missing three rotation players for a series clinching game is worrisome. We saw Joakim Noah at his most hobbled in the Game 1 blowout loss and we saw how Hinrich’s absence left the Bulls with no one to stop Deron Williams in the Game 5 loss.

Hinrich missing a second straight game will again leave Williams to be guarded by the undersized and offense-minded Nate Robinson. Deng has done a nice job guarding the hobbled Joe Johnson, but the Bulls will miss his offense just as much. Even though he hasn’t shot great this series, no Deng would mean only reliable scoring from Robinson and Carlos Boozer, with occasional offensive contribution from Noah. As for Gibson, he’s missed time this year already, but he provides a solid defensive presence off the bench.

The Bulls can win a game in Brooklyn, but they don’t want the series to head back there. This game tonight is essentially a must-win for both teams. They will have to grind it out like they’ve done all year and hope that Robinson continues his hot shooting, otherwise the points may be scarce. If the Bulls can play their signature tight defense with whoever they have on the court tonight, they will have a chance to close this series out and avoid a Game 7 in front of a raucous Brooklyn crowd.

What Westbrook's Injury Means

   The news today was shocking to say the least. Russell Westbrook, the Thunder's dynamic point guard and half of highest scoring duo in the NBA would be out indefinitely due to surgery on his torn meniscus. Not only was the news pure shock because Westbrook has never missed a game in his basketball career, but also because the Thunder's title chances are effectively over, after most expected them to rematch with Miami in the Finals. So what does this mean for OKC, Durant and the rest of the playoff teams?

   For the Thunder, it means Reggie Jackson will be playing around 36 minutes a night, after averaging only 13 in his short career. It means Derek Fisher will have to do more than he expected when he signed on with the Thunder two months ago. It means a more aggressive Kevin Martin. It means Serge Ibaka as the Thunder's second best player. But really for OKC, it all starts with one man.                      

   Kevin Durant said in Sports Illustrated this week that he's tired of being second. Well now, without Westbrook, OKC may not advance far enough to even be second. Durant has absolutely no reason to hold anything back now. Going for 40+ points will have to be the norm, and even that won't guarantee a Thunder win. The Thunder have always been Durant's team, and now, the man who helps him (most of the time) run the show is gone. For the rest of these playoffs, everyone will be giving KD the same advice: Just keep shooting. 

   How do the Thunder stack up in the West without their point guard? Already up 2-0 on Houston, they should still be able to dispatch the Rockets sans Westbrook. After that, it's iffy. The winner of Clippers-Grizzlies will have just won a tough series, and will be plenty primed to knock off OKC. The Spurs, getting healthier now, will be waiting should the Thunder meet them in the conference finals. And if the Thunder somehow make the Finals and Westbrook is not back? Miami will feel good about a matchup in which they have three of the four best players. 

   For the second year in a row, the NBA playoffs will be partly associated with the injury to one of the league's best point guards. Westbrook has his critics, but today, everybody's on his side and hoping he makes a fast recovery. Who would have thought that a seemingly minor collision between two point guards would cause such a shake up in the playoffs? 

    

   

First Round Playoff Predicitons

Eastern Conference
1 Heat vs. 8 Bucks
Let's start with an easy one here. The defending champs take on Milwaukee in what is the most onesided first round matchup. Sure, Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis may go off to make a game close. And Larry Sanders has the energy inside to cause trouble for Miami on the boards. But really, LeBron and Co. should have enough to advance in relatively easy fashion. Heat in 4. 

2 Knicks vs. 7 Celtics
The East's most intriguing matchup pits the league's leading scorer against a veteran group playing for a city with a heavy heart. The Knicks can rely on Carmelo's offense while hoping Tyson Chandler will be healthy enough to anchor the defense and J.R. Smith can maintain his hot shooting of the past two months. The Celtics have several injury question marks with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce banged up, but Doc Rivers will get his team to play at a high level. Expect this series to be tight throughout but, Knicks in 6. 

3 Pacers vs. 6 Hawks
For the second straight year, the Pacers enter as the three seed against a team that is not playing their best basketball of the season. The Hawks overachieved this year, as it was widely known they were looking to make their biggest splashes in the offseason. However Indiana isn't playing their best either, losing four of their last six. Combine the Pacers toughness at home with a mediocre Hawks crowd that is ready to see Josh Smith depart, and it's Pacers in 5. 

4 Nets vs. 5 Bulls
With Deron Williams finally in shape and playing great again, this series becomes interesting. A rare series with two All-Star centers going at it, it'll be Joakim Noah versus Brook Lopez. The more physical Noah gets the edge there, which will be a theme in this series. If Noah shuts down Lopez and Luol Deng contains Joe Johnson, Williams's scoring shouldn't be a problem. The Nets really struggle against good teams and the Bulls are as healthy as they've been all year. Bulls in 6. 

Western Conference
1 Thunder vs. 8 Rockets
It could be a tough homecoming for James Harden against OKC. Harden can and probably will play great against his old boys, but Lin on Westbrook and Parsons on Durant are brutal matchups for the Rockets. A hot shooting Houston team may be able to pull off the upset, but this one looks like Thunder in 5. 

2 Spurs vs. 7 Lakers
Half of the stars in this series were in their prime five years ago, but that's okay, it looks to be hugely entertaining still. The Kobe-less Lakers are inspired. Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol are starting to click, and may be able to give Tim Duncan problems in the frontcourt. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli aren't fully healthy. This is the matchup the Lakers wanted and we see why here. Lakers in 6. 

3 Nuggets vs. 6 Warriors
High point totals will be the norm here, and no fans will be complaining. The Nuggets were a true sleeper until Danilo Gallinari went down and the Warriors enter with little experience, but Stephen Curry's shooting alone should carry this young team to one or two wins. The Denver homecourt advantage may be too much for the young Dubs this year, and it's Nuggets in 6. 

4 Clippers vs 5 Grizzlies
A rematch of last year's 4-5 matchup that the Grizz feel they would've won, this time it's Lob City with the homecourt advantage. The frontcourt battle will be intersting with the Clippers athletic duo of Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan against the tough Memphis duo of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. A huge bench advantage for L.A. plus the brilliance of Chris Paul makes this series Clippers in 7.  

2013 All-NBA Teams

First Team All-NBA
Guard: Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
For the second straight year, Chris Paul asserted himself as the best point guard in the NBA. In leading the Clippers to the best season in franchise history and their first-ever Pacific Division title, Paul went to a sixth straight All-Star Game, earning MVP honors. Finishing third in PER and averaging 17 points and 10 assists, Paul is no doubt one of the great team leaders in the league.

Guard: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Talk about following up on a guarantee. When the Lakers were in 11th place in the West, Kobe assured fans that they would make the playoffs. Sure enough, he put the team on his back, playing unreal basketball for the last month and a half of the season. Kobe put the Lakers in position for the playoffs, and despite his torn Achilles in game 80 of the season, he inspired his team enough for them to win those final two games and earn a postseason berth.

Forward: LeBron James, Miami Heat
What's left to say about the reigning and soon to be 4-time MVP. LeBron improved his game yet again, dominating the competition in leading Miami to 66 wins. If LeBron didn't pass your eye test, consider this: He lead the best team in the league in points, rebounds and assists. So yeah, he's the King.

Forward: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Durant improved his all-around game, reaching career highs in assists, blocks and steals in leading the Thunder to the West's top seed. Despite missing out on a fourth-straight scoring title this year, Durant made it clear that he is the second best player on the planet, becoming the newest member of the 50-40-90 club. Not bad.

Center: Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
The likely DPOY lead Memphis to the best defense in the NBA this year. Having the best all-around year of any center in the league, Gasol is at the heart of everything the Grizzlies do, both offensively and defensively.

Second Team All-NBA
Guard: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Despite the occasional criticism, it's been another great year for Westbrook. He improved his assist total while also maintaining his high scoring. Westbrook actually outplayed Durant for stretches after the All-Star break. Everything about him is explosive. The athleticism, the scoring, the temper, hopefully he can reign all that in for the Thunder's playoff run.

Guard: James Harden, Houston Rockets
From game one it was clear: Harden has no trouble being a first option. He lead an explosive Rockets offense to the playoff this year. The Beard finished fifth in the league in scoring, at 25.9 PPG. It'll be an uphill revenge battle against his old team in the first round, but this year proved that Harden is the ideal centerpiece for a Rockets team that is on the up.

Forward: Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
The scoring champion will probably finish third in MVP voting this year, and is still only the third best small forward in the NBA. Perhaps even more impressive than his first major individual accolade in the NBA is that Melo has grown as a leader in New York, guiding the Knicks to the East's second seed. Having only been out of the first round once, these playoffs will come to define Melo's career to date.

Forward: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Paul's big sidekick in Lob City still hasn't completely honed his offensive game and he's still regularly making All-Star and All-NBA teams. Griffin lead the league in slam dunks, regularly posterizing unlucky defenders. Raising his free-throw clip to 66 percent is a start, but Griffin still needs to expand his hugely entertaining game.

Center: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
How does a guy who will be 37 next week still average 18 points and 10 rebounds? Duncan had his best season in three years, mostly staying healthy and playing the same great D that he always has. The Big Fundamental and the Spurs continue to beat Father Time. His team earned the two seed out West, despite being "too old."

Third Team All-NBA
Guard: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Curry's second half surge this season earned the Warriors their first playoff berth since 2007. He's the best shooter in the game at this point in his career, averaging 45 percent from downtown. Despite setting the record for most 3's made in a season and scoring a league season-high 54 points in a game this year, Curry was not an All-Star. He gets love this time around.

Guard: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Being overshadowed by LeBron and having some nagging injuries really underrated Wade's season. Flash shot a career-high 52 percent and averaged a 21-5-5 line on the year, really carrying Miami through the second half of their 27-game win streak. Sure he may have lost a step, but watch a Heat game and you'll see that Wade's second highest gear is still better than most players out there.

Forward: Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls
Injuries and a certain point guard's potential return dominated news in Chicago this year, but Deng was the one constant for this solid Bulls team. Maybe the league's ultimate glue guy, Deng is much more than that on a nightly basis. he lead the NBA in minutes player per game, made his second All-Star team and played his usual great defense. For a guy who often goes unnoticed, Deng's monster game to snap Miami's streak will go down as one of the signature moments in his career.

Forward: Paul George, Indiana Pacers
A MIP candidate this year, George was the best player all year on a Pacers team that finished third in the East. His game and numbers indicate that George is one of the best all-around players in the NBA, and in only his third season, George can build off this All-Star campaign.

Center: Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
Before the year even started, Bosh had fully embraced playing center in this league, and Miami sure did benefit. While some of his numbers went down, Bosh shot a career high percentage from the field. Few big men are more reliable in the mid range and Bosh's ability to stretch the floor is integral to what Miami does. The most unsung of the Heat's Big Three, most people can still admit that they don't win 66 games without him.  

Tomorrow I predict all the first round series. Stay posted.

2013 NBA Underground Awards

MVP
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Absolutely no surprise here. It's LeBron's league and a fourth MVP in five years confirms that. A 27-8-7 nightly line gives LeBron his best rebounding season yet. Throw in the NBA's best record, which includes the 27-game winning streak and picking LeBron for this award is very easy. LeBron will join Wilt Chamberlain as a four-time winner.
1. LeBron James
2. Kevin Durant
3. Carmelo Anthony

Coach of the Year
George Karl, Denver Nuggets
With the Nuggets earning the best record in franchise history, Karl emerges from a slew of deserving candidates. Without a true superstar and a relatively new core, Karl helped with the huge strides made with Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari and Kenneth Faried, along with good production from Andre Iguodala and Corey Brewer. Entering the playoffs as the three seed and legit Finals contender, Karl may have to keep up his great work with Denver banged up at the moment.
1. George Karl
2. Gregg Popovich
3. Mark Jackson

Rookie of the Year
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
The sixth overall pick Lillard had no problems making the transition from small school Weber State to the NBA. Lillard lead all rookies in points, assists and minutes, and there aren't any close seconds. A very good yet relatively unknown commodity heading into the NBA, Lillard will be the fourth point guard in five years to win this award.
1. Damian Lillard
2. Anthony Davis
3. Bradley Beal

Defensive Player of the Year
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol does what older brother Pau has never done by winning this award. He's the anchor of the league's best defensive team and has stayed healthy this year, something other great big men haven't done. Sure, other guys are better shot blockers or better pure rebounders, but Gasol's fundamental defensive game earns him this award.
1. Marc Gasol
2. Joakim Noah
3. Roy Hibbert

Sixth Man of the Year 
J.R. Smith, New York Knicks
Smith came on strong the second half of the season. His streak shooting was actually better than streaky and he served as a capable running mate for Carmelo Anthony. He lead NBA players in bench scoring at 18.1 PPG. For a guy who was once known to shoot his team out of games, Smith is now the second best player on the second best team in the East.
1. J.R. Smith
2. Jamal Crawford
3. Jarrett Jack

Most Improved Player
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Always the hardest award to pick, this year's most improved race is not different. George gets the nod this year because he was a first-time all-star as well as being best player this year on the third-seeded Pacers. George's size, athleticism and outside shooting makes him one of the best young all-around players in the league. And since he's a Pacer, you know he can play defense too.
1. Paul George
2. Jrue Holiday
3. Greivis Vasquez 

Well, that wraps up this year's awards column, stay posted this week for Thursday's All-NBA column and Friday's Round 1 Picks column.

The Kobe Situation

   Disbelief is what I felt when I heard the news. That news that broke last night, saying Kobe Bryant had suffered a probable torn Achilles. The man who has played through so many aches and pains. The man who, at 34, was regularly playing 48 minutes a night, willing his Lakers to the playoffs. Well now playoffs or no playoffs, the Lakers are done. The man who got them this far is out for the season, raising dozens have questions about Kobe as a franchise player and the Laker franchise itself.

   Today Kobe had his surgery, officially ending his season and sidelining him for six to nine months. Knowing Kobe, it will be closer to six months as he will kill himself trying to get on the court to start the season. But even if his recovery is swift and smooth, will he still be the Black Mamba? Even Kobe speculated on that. After all, this is no garden variety leg injury. 

   Two questions come in the wake of this injury. Who is to blame? Should L.A. amnesty Kobe?

   Any Knicks fan would say that Mike D'Antoni is to blame. He was the guy that ran Amar'e straight out of his prime in less than a year as a Knick. But did D'Antoni have any control over Kobe? Probably not. Kobe can be blamed, but you'd have to blame this on his tenacity and competitiveness. So really it's a praise in part. Kobe had said multiple times that the Lakers would make the playoffs and to do that, it was clear that he'd have to play 48 minutes a night, or close to. 

   The amnesty question is far more intriguing  Financially, it makes sense. He's aging, with one year left on his pricey contract. An amnesty would save the Lakers from going into the luxury tax. But then again, can you see Kobe in another uniform? Absolutely not. My gut feeling is that this injury leads to a contract restructuring and also putting off his retirement, which he originally planned for the end of the 2013-2014 season. 

   All those ice baths couldn't compete with all those minutes. For the first time in his career, Kobe will have to be a spectator for an extended time. He will have to give more control to doctors, trainers and his G.M. than he ever has. If I may revise his salutation, Mamba is out.     

   

Three Ideal First Round Matches

With less than a week left in the regular season and 15 of the 16 playoff spots taken, it's time to anticipate first-round matchup. Some will be one-sided (Heat-Bucks) and some will be forgettable (any Hawks series), but this year has plenty of potential for delicious first round action. Here are three series that would be ideal from an entertainment standpoint.  

Thunder-Lakers
The Lakers have to get in the playoffs first for this one to even happen, and the Thunder are still not a lock to hold down the top seed out West, but this would be the most watched 1-8 matchup of all-time should it happen. Before the season, we thought this would be a conference final. It's a showdown between Kobe's old guard Lakers and Kevin Durant's ascended Thunder. With all the problems that L.A. has had this year, the Thunder would dread this matchup so early in the playoffs, because this is not your typical eight-seed. Kobe has been going all out trying to carry the Lakers to the playoffs and there's no question that he would bring it to the Thunder in a seven-game series.

Knicks-Celtics
This series is looking more and more like it will for sure happen. The Knicks are rolling right now, winners of 13-straight and Carmelo is firing on all cylinders. Meanwhile, Boston is 4-6 in their last 10 games and has just stayed firmly in that seven slot for a while now. But any talk of momentum can be thrown out for this matchup. Melo has only been out of the first round once and his sidekicks, J.R. Smith and Raymond Felton, are relatively unproven playoff performers. Also, the Knicks are far from healthy at the moment. It's not like Boston is much healthier though. With Rajon Rondo out and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett never at full strength at this age, the Celtics will rely heavily on Avery Bradley, Brandon Bass and Jeff Green. But these Celtics never make it easy on opposing teams in the playoffs. This series will be a grind and Carmelo better have his team ready to go six or seven games against this experienced bunch.  

Nuggets-Rockets
If the Rockets can move up one spot to the six-seed, this would be the most aesthetically pleasing first round series this year. These are the two highest-scoring teams in the league and team point totals would be regularly around 120 every game. With James Harden leading the Rockets against Andre Iguodala, Kenneth Faried and a very complete Nuggets team, fans of old school NBA defense should not watch. Games for this series should start with a gun instead of a tip because it will be an absolute track meet.

The Top 10 Lakers of All-Time

With Shaq set to become the latest Laker legend to get his number immortalized in the Staples Center rafters, there's no better time to count down the greatest players to ever play for arguably the NBA's greatest franchise. For the most part, the Western road to a championship has gone through the purple and gold for the past four decades. So here we go, the 10 greatest Lakers of all-time. And to Dwight Howard, Luke Walton and Derek Fisher: Sorry, you didn't make the cut. 

 

10. Gail Goodrich 

Originally doubted as an NBA threat due to his 6'1" stature, Goodrich was very quick to prove doubters wrong. Part of a great Laker run in the early 70s that included the historic 71-72 season with the 33-game winning streak, Goodrich held the backcourt together while L.A. remained competitive. Looking back, Goodrich can be seen as one of the first great combo guards in NBA history. 

9. Jamaal Wilkes

Wilkes was a 6'6" forward who could play center. One of the most athletic players in the league during his career, Wilkes spent much of that career winning. Although never being seen as the main threat, he won four championships in a ten-year stretch. His four rings in the 70s and 80s as well as his three all-star games over this time are indicative of the long-term consistency that Wilkes played with during his career as a Laker. 

8. James Worthy

He did it in college and he did it in the NBA, Worthy had no problem playing with and winning with other great players. A tough power forward who could score and rebound, Worthy was one the the best players in the NBA in the late 80s and has three rings to show for it. During this time, Worthy was known as Magic's running mate for Showtime. However, it was Worthy himself who lead the Lakers to a championship in 1988, and he has the Finals MVP to prove it. 

7. Elgin Baylor

The first great Laker, Baylor's ability was truly astounding. One of the best NBA players of the 1960s, Baylor's all-around game and talent for that era can only be matched by Oscar Robertson. His sweet jumper made him the most gifted scorer in the league and his rebounding number are eye-popping for a guy his size. Baylor's one knock is that he finished his storied career without winning a ring. 

6. Wilt Chamberlain

Possibly the most dominant scorer ever, some of Wilt's records will never be touched. He spent five years in L.A., winning one of his two career championships in that historic 71-72 season. When he felt up to it, a 30-20 game was easy for Wilt. And even though he's known more as a Sixer, Wilt's numbers and impact are too great not to make him an all-time great Laker. 

5. Shaquille O'Neal

Perhaps the most physically dominant big man since the days of Wilt and Russell, Shaq had the best years of his great career as a Laker. Winning Finals MVP all three times during the 00-02 three-peat, Shaq was the first Undisputed Best Player in the NBA after Jordan retired. His only MVP came in 2000, but it was one of the most dominant campaigns of all-time. A larger than life figure, Shaq was destined for Lakerland. Even though 2004 his exit was unceremonious, his number retirement will be a much needed memory of his tenure in L.A.  

4. Jerry West

The Logo has the distinction of being the most underrated Laker of all-time. Even with 14 all-star games and a 27-7-6 career line, West is still overlooked when reminiscing about Laker legends. The leader of the classic 71-72 team and a rare player who was actually better come playoff time, West is a great Laker by any measure, especially when you add on his exceptional G.M. work in the 90s and 00s. 

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The NBA's all-time leading scorer, Kareem is the third guy on this list that went from great UCLA Bruin to great Laker. His accomplishments are simply insane. 19 all-star games, six rings and six MVPs are just the beginning. Not only could Kareem rock the goggles better than any other Laker (sorry Worthy and Rambis), but his patented Skyhook is the most indefensible shot in NBA history. 

2. Kobe Bryant

The Black Mamba is the only active player to make this list. Amazingly in his 17th season and still a top player in the league, Kobe is the Lakers all-time leading scorer and is fourth all-time in league history. A five-time champion, 15-time all-star and the most clutch player since Jordan, Kobe plays with an intensity that lacks in today's NBA. Though his career has not always been smooth sailing, Kobe is not lauded enough for remaining a Laker his whole career. Even he would be okay being second on this list. 

1. Magic Johnson

Who else? The ringleader of the Showtime Dynasty, Magic was the best player in the 80s and is the greatest point guard of all-time. His career 20-11-7 line is more impressive considering the intense defense played during his era. And five rings, three MVPs and 12 all-star games aren't bad either. He's the only Lakers player with a statue and once again, it's Winnin' Time for Magic.