HoopStuff

After four years as a coach in the NBA, it seems that Vinny Del Negro is still clueless when it comes to coaching. In Chicago he was constantly bashed for running nothing but isolation plays and showing no imagination. Living in Chicago and watching the majority of Bulls games, I must say that his critics were right. Now in his second coaching stop, you would think that Del Negro has improved as a coach, but it simply is not so. There is no greater example of this than in the final six minutes of their game four, series ending loss to the Spurs.

With about six minutes left in the game, TNT commentator Steve Kerr started discussing the possibility of Gregg Popovich running the old “HackaShaq” technique with the Clippers. This is a great strategy that worked earlier in the series, as the Clippers’ top three big men are all porous free throw shooters. Griffin, Jordan and Evans combined to average 58% from the free throw line during the season and were easy targets. The “HackaShaq” technique is an opposing team choosing to foul a poor free throw shooter repeatedly in a game, hoping that the player will keep missing and create empty trips down the court. The technique came about in Shaquille O’Neal’s prime, as teams, who could not stop him, simply decided to send him to the line, where he was an embarrassingly awful shooter.

With about four minutes left in the game, coach Popovich elected to foul Reggie Evans who went on to miss two free throws. Del Negro then pulled Evans, putting Blake Griffin at center and went with a smaller lineup. He thought he was doing the right thing, but he simply missed the big picture. Now with Griffin the only big on the floor, he would have to guard Tim Duncan. This was a laughably terrible move as Griffin is an atrocious defender and he was now guarding a much taller player, who just happened to be one of the ten best players in the history of the NBA. Duncan then proceeded to dominate the paint for the remainder of the game, getting numerous assists, scoring on a nifty jump hook and then setting quite a few screens. The team was able to run their offense through and around Tim Duncan, as they knew that Griffin had no shot at stopping him. This is a mistake that a veteran coach simply should not make, and it may have cost them the game.

Del Negro then proceeded to screw up further, in the final two minutes of the game. With the Clippers needing a basket, Del Negro decided to run isolation plays with Chris Paul three times in a row. The first involved Paul losing the ball, which turned into a broken play, the second was a Paul turnover and the final was a badly missed and highly contested shot in the closing seconds. The offense simply showed no imagination and creativity, which is a sign of poor coaching.

Del Negro was a fine player and he does have a nice calm demeanor and gets along well with his players, but he simply does not possess the skills of a great or even average NBA coach. He is weak when it comes to play calling and makes numerous personnel mistakes and is unfit to coach a team as good as the Clippers. GM Neil Olshey provided him with a great roster, but when coaching truly mattered, VDN dropped the ball, as he has constantly over his four years as a he coach. If the Clippers are to succeed going forward they will need a championship caliber coach, which Del Negro simply is not. The Clippers have never been this good and therefore need a quality to coach to take this team further.

Experience: Other teams may have bigger names and more current superstars, but no threesome in the NBA have had as much success as the Spurs trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Duncan and Parker have won three titles together, while Ginobili has starred on two of those. Add in coach Popovich who is the best coach in the NBA and one of the all-time greats and the four most important San Antonio pieces are in tact. The fact is that they simply know how to win. This is not a team that will wilt under pressure or shy away from clutch moments, this is a seasoned team that is hungry, which makes them quite dangerous.

Depth: Spurs management has surrounded their big three with the deepest team in the NBA, filled with veteran role players and rising young specialists. Stephen Jackson has been fantastic off the bench since his arrival in San Antonio and adds another great scorer along with Ginobili in the second unit. Boris Diaw, another mid season pickup is a stretch forward capable of filling up the stat sheet and has been a fantastic addition as a big man who can play outside and leave the paint to Duncan. Gary Neal and Matt Bonner are the resident sharpshooters and are two of the best shooters in the NBA; Bonner as a big man and Neal as a guard. Tiago Splitter is a one of the best young bigs in the game, he is a fantastic rebounder and very skilled down low. Dejuan Blair is their bruiser, the player who will bully players inside, fight for every rebound and is more than capable of scoring. Rookie Kawhi Leonard is already a dominant defensive wing, who can shoot and drive to the hoop. Lastly, Danny Green is a jack-of-all-trades player who can defend, shoot, drive and will do all of the little things to help the Spurs win. The Spurs have easily the deepest team in the NBA and by far the best bench. They have a player to fill every need and specialists in every department, and most importantly, everyone knows their roles and plays to their overall strengths.

Health: Unlike the majority of the teams still in the playoffs, the Spurs are completely healthy. Manu Ginobili limped into the postseason after numerous injuries but looks near 100%. Duncan received more rest than he probably wanted and looks fresher and younger than he has in years. He has been treating fans to his vintage brilliance of years past. No team left in the playoffs is as healthy as the Spurs and after their sweep of the Jazz received over 10 days to rest, which is a godsend for a team this old.

Timing: The Spurs went on a tear to end the season and ended up with the number one seed and they have taken their fantastic play into the playoffs, where they are currently 6-0. Parker has been unstoppable, Ginobili is healthy, Diaw and Jackson are acclimated and Duncan is playing his best basketball in almost three years. The Spurs are clicking at the right time and have everything going for them. They simply look unbeatable right now.

Predictions:

Spurs Beat the Clippers in 5

Spurs Beat the Thunder in 7

Spurs Beat the Celtics in 5

The Hoopstuff LVP Awards

The Ten Least Valuable Players of the Year

The Winners

Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic (Gold)

- How can a top MVP candidate become the league’s least valuable player? Well actually it is quite simple in this case, as Howard completely sold out his team, questioned his teammates and wanted to fire the coach, all while holding the team hostage with trade demands and a seemingly daily back and forth on whether he wanted to stay in Orlando. It is absolutely inconceivable that an NBA superstar and a team’s franchise player would cause so many problems to a team that has done everything to help you become a better basketball player and human being, since drafting you as an 18 year old. I did not think it was possible, but Howard may have stolen the crown of most hated NBA superstar away from Lebron James. Shameful.

Rashard Lewis: Washington Wizards (Silver)

- Rashard Lewis is on this list for one very simply reason, he was the league’s second highest paid player this season and averaged a pathetic 7.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game on 38.5 percent shooting. Well that was $21,136,630 down the drain.

Amare Stoudemire- NY Knicks (Bronze)

- Stoudemire has had an absolutely dreadful regular season and the postseason has been just as bad, as his team just lost in the first round in five games and the fact that he lost a fight to a fire hydrant case. Stoudemire posted his worst numbers since his rookie year and he seems to be declining at the ripe age of 28. Even more telling was the Knicks’ record without him, as the team was much better with Stoudemire out with injury. Stoudemire has suffered a tragedy this year, as his brother was tragically killed in a car crash, which has without a doubt hurt his focus this year, but there were some obvious signs of decline on the court and it seems that his prime has come and gone. With 3 years and over 60 million guaranteed dollars left on his contract, he is virtually untradable, so the Knicks should pray for a bounce back year.

 The Rest of the Worst

Tyrus Thomas- Charlotte Bobcats

- To be fair, every single Bobcat player should be on this list as they just finished with the worst record in NBA history, but singling out the best of the worst on the team was quite easy. The Bobcats signed Thomas to a lucrative 5 year contract worth over 40 million dollars two years ago and he found himself constantly in and out of the starting lineup and often completely out of the rotation. The fact that he was often deemed to not be good enough to play on the worst team in league history, says a lot about the player

Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon- Detroit Pistons

- How much does Joe Dumars regret his summer of 2009? Probably a lot. Looking to rebuild and loaded with cap space, the Pistons were ready to make a huge splash in free agency, but sadly this was one of the worst free agent summers in years. Now three years have past and both players have disappointed mightily. The two players combined to make over 19 million dollars and together scored 19.5 points and grabbed 6 rebounds a game. Pathetic. Villanueva was actually completely out of the rotation for the majority of the season and Gordon’s time was also sporadic, as he played less than 27 minutes per game, despite being the team’s highest compensated player. Expect one of these players to be amnestied this summer, as they have both been disappointments for the Pistons.

John Salmons and Jimmer Fredette

- Yet another duo. The Kings decided to trade the 7^th pick in last year’s draft and Beno Udrih for John Salmons and the 10^th Pick. For some reason the Kings took a worse contract and a lower pick in the deal and both pieces failed miserably this year. John Salmons played his way out of the rotation and when he actually played, he was awful. He has a great chance of getting waived via amnesty in the off-season. Not to pile on Fredette, but he was thoroughly beaten out by the final pick in the draft for a spot in the rotation, which is unacceptable for a lottery pick. The problem is that Fredette was simply overrated. Right now his best role on the Kings seems to be as a scoring guard off the bench, as he does not have the size to be a shooting guard, or the skills to be a point guard. He is small in stature and not a great athlete and will need to develop better point guard skills if he ever hopes to be a starter in the NBA. A .361 percentage from three is nothing to sneer at, but more is expected than that from a top ten pick. Fredette does have time to turn it all around and make up for his disappointment rookie year, but Salmons looks like a fringe rotation player and still has three years and over 20 million left on his contract. What a horrible trade.

Wesley Johnson- Minnesota Timberwolves

- The Timberwolves needed nothing more than a quality shooting guard and Johnson, the number four pick in the NBA Draft just one year ago, couldn’t even be that, despite starting 63 games. He has been given every chance possible over the last two years, but has shown no signs of improving. He seems to be the very definition of average as he is a mediocre athlete, defender, shooter, scorer, ball-handler, distributor and talent. A top five pick that has showed no signs of progress after two years, looks like a blown draft choice.

JaValle McGee- Denver Nuggets/ Washington Wizards

- To be fair, McGee actually showed a lot of promise in the playoffs, but he at times was third on the depth chart for the Nuggets, after being traded from Washington. Talent is not the problem with McGee, it is his ridiculously low basketball IQ and horrible court awareness. Most NBA towel boys have a better feel for the game than him. In Washington he was seen making boneheaded plays on a weekly basis and actually became somewhat of a joke in NBA circles. His ridiculous contract demands have done him no favors and he may have cost himself more money than any player over the course of the season. If he had stayed in Washington for the remainder of the year and put up his normal solid numbers, he would have made 8-10 million a year over 4-5 years, but he will now be lucky to get anything more than a two-three year contract in the range of 5-7 million a year. After four years in the NBA, with little improvement, it is doubtful he will ever truly get “it.”

1. Lebron James: Miami Heat

27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. PER: 30.80.

Team Record: 46-20

- Regardless of what people think of him, Lebron James deserves the MVP trophy, as he was simply the best player in the NBA this year. Doubters always talk about his lack of 4^th quarter success and the fact that he plays with Dwayne Wade, but the numbers are simply astonishing. The two biggest factors in MVP voting are usually stats and team wins and he has both in staggering numbers. He was 3rd in the NBA in points, 1st in PER, 13th in assists, 3rd in steals and 25th in rebounds, while shooting a career best from the field and from three at 53.1% and 36.2% respectively. He did this while leading his team to the fourth best record in the NBA, which all adds up to Lebron winning his third MVP trophy.

2. Kevin Durant: Oklahoma City Thunder

28.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. PER: 26.2.

Team Record: 47-19

-The only other player with a real shot at winning the award is Durant, who has had his best season yet. He just won his third straight scoring title and had a major jump in assists and rebounds per game, while improving on the defensive end. He is simply the best offensive player in the league, but because of James’ historically amazing season, Durant will have to wait for at least another year for his first MVP trophy. Thunder fans, do not fret, his time to win this award will come, as he is simply too good to be denied for long.

3. Kevin Love: Minnesota Timberwolves

26.0 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. PER: 25.41.

Team Record: 26-40

- Yes his team did not make the playoffs and he did stomp on Luis Scola, but his numbers were absolutely fantastic and looking back, people will view his season as one of pure brilliance. 4th in the NBA in points and 2nd in rebounds, while helping Minnesota finally get out of the cellar of the Western Conference, Love deserves significant respect and although he wont win MVP, he has become a superstar.

4. Chris Paul: Los Angeles Clippers

19.8 points, 9.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. PER: 27.09.

Team Record: 40-26

- Most people probably have Paul firmly in third place, but as a stat geek, I felt compelled to go with Kevin Love. However, Paul had another brilliant season and helped turn the Clippers into an immediate playoff team. Paul is simply a fantastic all-around player, as he is one of the league’s top distributors, shooters and defenders and makes everyone around him a far superior player. Chris Paul has re-cemented his claim as the best point guard in the NBA.

5. Kobe Bryant: Los Angeles Lakers

27.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. PER: 21.95.

Team Record: 41-25

- Bryant, now 33 and finishing his 16^th year in the NBA, has had another great season and should once again be near the top of
the MVP standings. Kobe was 2nd in the league in scoring and helped lead the Lakers to the third seed in the Western Conference, despite a sub-par roster outside of Bynum, Gasol and a half season from Ramon Sessions. Really, there is nothing congratulatory that can be said about Bryant that hasn’t been said and despite the fact that he won’t win his second MVP, he has a great chance of winning his sixth championship ring; which is the only thing he cares about. The fact that Kobe Bryant has only won one MVP in his career is a travesty and one of the saddest facts in the NBA. He did make 25 million this year, maybe he can buy back one of the two MVP trophies that Nash stole for him.

6. Tony Parker: San Antonio Spurs

18.3 points and 7.7 assists per game. PER: 22.04.

Team Record: 50-16

- Parker has officially taken over as the franchise player for San Antonio and has had the best season of his career. Arguably the fastest player in the NBA, Parker can get to the hoop with ease, has a brilliant mid-range game and is one of the better distributors in the league. Parker was the best player on the best team in the West and is the piece that makes the Spurs’ engine run. Who needs Eva Longoria?

7. Steve Nash: Phoenix Suns

12.5 points and 10.7 assists per game. PER 20.29

Team Record: 33-33

- Nash almost single handedly took the Suns to the playoffs as a 38 year old, which makes his place on the ballot all but secure. He placed second in the league in assists per game and kept the Suns on a winning path despite a complete lack of top-level talent on his team. Nash refuses to let age affect him and it will be quite interesting to see how long he can play at this level, as he has amazingly not allowed age to slow him down. If this was Nash’s final season in Phoenix, the Suns are in for one massive drop in the standings, he is that good.

8. Rajon Rondo: Boston Celtics

11.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 11.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game. PER: 17.55.

Team Record: 39-27

- Why does Rondo’s name keep coming up in trade rumors? That is one of the most interesting questions in the NBA today, as Rondo is one of the league’s best players and is playing on a cheap long-term contract. For the second straight year he has led the league in assists, runs the Celtics’ offense to perfection and is arguably the top defensive point guard in the league. Seriously, why would they trade him? Yes, there may be problems with his attitude, but he is simply too good for there to be any reason to part ways with him.

9.  Dwayne Wade: Miami Heat

22.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Per: 26.37.

Team Record: 46-20

- Wade missed time here and there this season, but was his normal amazing self when he played. He plays on a team with the best player in the league, which will affect his numbers and cause him to be overshadowed, but there is no doubting the fact that he is one of the league’s top five players.

10. Russell Westbrook: Oklahoma City Thunder

23.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. PER: 23.00

Team Record: 47-19

- Westbrook will continue be the second best player in OKC as long as Durant is around, but that in no way reflects badly on possibly Westbrook’s best season as a pro. He had a career high in points, but his assists did decline substantially, which is a bit of a letdown after last season’s high assist totals. What sets this season apart is how good Westbrook has become on offense. He is a much improved shooter, especially from distance, but few, if any, player is better at getting to the basket than Westbrook. It would be nice to see Westbrook become a better distributor and work harder on his defender in coming seasons, but few players are as good on offense as Westbrook.

Next Five In:

Tyson Chandler

Derrick Rose

Andrew Bynum

LaMarcus Aldridge

Dirk Nowitzki

Top 15 2012 NBA Draft Prospects, with NBA Player Comparisons

1. Anthony Davis – PF- Kentucky

I see a lot of Chris Bosh and Serge Ibaka in Anthony Davis. Like Bosh, Davis has a very thin frame, which will make adding mass difficult, but their offensive games seem to be similar. They are both good around the rim and have extremely reliable jump shots. Neither are true post players, but they are very good offensive players regardless. Like Ibaka, Davis is extremely long and athletic and is an elite shot blocker and a phenomenal defensive talent. If Davis can mix the talents of Bosh and Ibaka, he will be one of the ten best players in the NBA.

2. Bradley Beal- Guard- Florida

I see a lot of Eric Gordon and Evan Turner in Bradley Beal. Like Gordon, Beal is an elite shooter, but he can also create his own shot and drive to the hoop. Quite simply, Beal, like Gordon is a very gifted scorer. Like Turner, Beal can create for others and run an offense if need be and is an excellent rebounder for a guard. If Beal can somehow combine the games’ of Gordon and Turner, he should without a doubt be a perennial All-Star

3. Thomas Robinson- PF- Kansas

I see a lot Paul Millsap and Amare Stoudemire in Thomas Robinson. Like Millsap, Robinson is undersized for a power forward, but makes up for this with effort, motor and skill. They are both also unnaturally good rebounders for their size and have a nose for the basketball. Like Stoudemire, Robinson is a great athlete and can single handedly dominate a game in the paint. With the traits from both players, Robinson has a chance to become one of the best big men in the NBA.

4. Harrison Barnes- SF- UNC

- I see a lot of Danny Granger in Harrison Barnes. Like Granger, Barnes is a gifted scorer, a very good shooter and effective at getting to the rim. Both players are quite athletic as well, which serves them well. On the negative side, both players have critics that question if there is more to their games than just scoring. There is no doubt that Barnes will be a very good offensive player in the NBA and is capable of scoring 20 points a game, but it will be interesting to see if he becomes a capable defender and plays within a team concept on both ends in the NBA.

5. Michael Kidd Gilchrist- SF- Kentucky

I see a lot of Derrick Rose and Andre Iguodala in Michael Kidd Gilchrsit. Like Rose, MKG is willing to do whatever it takes to win and can will his team to victory. Basically, MKG has the intangibles of a superstar and the leadership skills of one and at a very young age, like Derrick Rose. Like Iguodala, MKG is a top-notch athlete and is long and potentially dominant on defense. If MKG can continue to have the mentality of Rose and the defensive prowess of Iguodala, he can be a franchise player.

6. Andre Drummond- F/C- UCONN

I see a lot Dwight Howard and Tyrus Thomas in Andre Drummond. Like Howard, Drummond is a physical specimen and is extremely long, muscular and athletically gifted, with the defensive potential to dominate the game on that end. Like Thomas, Drummond does not have a high basketball IQ or court awareness and can look clueless at times. If Drummond wants to have a successful NBA career, he better become more like Howard than Thomas.

7. Dion Waiters- Guard- Syracuse

I see a lot of Dwayne Wade and James Harden in Dion Waiters, but to be clear, I am much higher on Waiters than most. Like Wade, Waiters is unstoppable getting to the hoop, is a great ball-handler and is a very gifted scorer. Like Harden, Waiters has shown great maturity by being willing to play off his team’s bench and be a leader for the second unit. It’s safe to say that if Waiters keeps maturing as a basketball player and stays in the mentality that team success is everything, he could develop into a poor man’s Wade and a future star, or at the very least flourish as a dynamic sixth man a la Harden.

8. Jarred Sullinger- PF- Ohio State

I see a lot of Carlos Boozer and Al Jefferson in Jarred Sullinger. Like Boozer, Sullinger has pure brute strength, which he uses to abuse people in the post and fight for every made basket. Like Jefferson, Sullinger has a stable of moves down low and can score in a variety of ways. Whether it be an 8-12 foot jump shot or one of many different post moves, Sullinger knows how to score. Also like Jefferson, Sullinger can be a bit of a ball hog and will struggle when he is having trouble scoring the basketball. If he can effectively score the ball and bully players in the paint, he should be an All-Star.

9. Kendall Marshall- PG- UNC

I see a lot of Chris Paul and Andre Miller in Kendall Marshall. Like Paul, Marshall can run a team to perfection and improve every player’s performance. Just by watching North Carolina in the tournament without Marshall, showed how lost the team was without him, even though his team had four other lottery caliber players. There is no doubt that he was the most important player on the team. Like Miller, Marshall does not rely on athleticism or speed, but talent and skill. Marshall and Miller are also capable scorers, but always look to pass first, which is rare in the league.

10. Perry Jones- PF- Baylor

I see a lot of Derrick Favors and Josh Smith in Perry Jones. Like Favors, Jones just oozes potential, with his length, athleticism and great defensive potential. Like Smith, Jones is a power forward who plays like a guard and falls in love with the perimeter game. Jones seems to be quite raw like Favors, but with the offensive potential of Josh Smith.

11.Damian Lillard- PG- Weber State

- I see a lot of Russell Westbrook in Damian Lillard. Like Westbrook, Lillard is a truly gifted offensive player and an elite scorer. Lillard also has the same questions about his game. Westbrook has become a more than capable distributor (he could get better though), and it will be interesting if Lillard has the point guard skills to be a true starting point guard, or best served as a scoring guard off the bench.

12. Jeremy Lamb- SG- UCONN

I see a lot of Demar Derozan in Jeremy Lamb. Like Derozan, Lamb is great scorer and is able to create his own shot, whenever and wherever he pleases. Also like Derozan, Lamb often does not play up to his potential and can sometimes lose focus. But Lamb is an extremely gifted offensive player who has the potential to score 20 points a game and get his teammates involved. He has the overall talent to become one of the best two-guards in the league.

13. Austin (Doc Jr.) Rivers- Guard- Duke

I see a lot of Jason Terry in Austin Rivers. Like Terry, Rivers is undersized, not an elite athlete and lacks a true position. But also like Terry, Rivers is an elite scorer, a gifted ball-handler and a top-notch shooter. They also have the same mentality, as they both are as clutch as they come, relish taking the final shot and will not let five straight misses deter them. Simply put, great scorers must have short-term memory loss in order to keep going and Rivers has shown that ability.  Rivers may best be served as a sixth man, but he could become one of the best backups in the league, a la Jason Terry.

14. Terrence Jones- Forward- Kentucky

- I see a lot of Lamar Odom in Terrence Jones. Like Odom, Jones is a jack-of-all-trades player, but lacks one elite skill. Williams is a capable scorer, a gifted rebounder and able to distribute in a point forward role, just like Odom. Basically, versatility is his greatest strength. He also has a reputation of underachieving and having a problem with his attitude and focus, which sounds exactly like Lamar Odom. Jones has the talent to be a difference maker as a combo forward, but to reach his potential, he must adjust his behavior.

15. Tyler Zeller- Center- UNC

- I see a lot of Pau Gasol in Tyler Zeller. This in no way means that Zeller will ever have a career anywhere near as good as Gasol’s, but they do have a similar skill-set. Like Gasol, Zeller is a below the rim big man, with a very good mid-range shot and a solid set of moves down low. Both players have been called soft, but play hard and run the court well. If Zeller models his game after Gasol, he could be a long-time starter in the NBA.

With the tragic knee injury suffered by last season’s MVP and Chicago Bulls superstar, Derrick Rose, it looks like their chances of winning a title are bleak at best. But don’t tell them that, as it is not in the Bulls to give up and you can count on every player stepping up their games and giving 100 percent until the final buzzer. A Rose-less Bulls team is still much better than the 76ers and they should beat them handily, but round 2 and beyond is a different story. Luckily for the Bulls, they have been in this situation for much of the season as Rose missed 28 games and they were a very respectable 18-9 without him. Simply, the Bulls know how to win without their star player and they will fight for every game, every minute and every trip down the court. The Bulls are not the kind of team to throw in the towel and because of the team’s character, coaching, rebounding, depth and defense, it is impossible to count them out. Their game plan will obviously need to be retooled, but with the right strategy and mindset there is no telling how far these Bulls can go in the playoffs.

With Rose gone, the Bulls have lost their first option on offense and their go to player in the clutch, so their secondary offensive options must to step up. Richard Hamilton, Luol Deng and Carlos Boozers may not be ideal first options for the Bulls, but if each player picks up a larger share of the offensive responsibilities, the Bulls can overcome the loss of Derrick Rose. Each player brings a completely different set of skills to the table, Boozer with his low post game and toughness, Deng with his complete offensive skill set and Hamilton with his mid range game. The problem is that not one of these players are adept at creating their own shot or creating for others, which means that their point guards, CJ Watson and John Lucas III, must become creators. Both players are incredibly gifted shooters and scorers and can create their own shot, but the team does not need big scoring numbers from them. The Bulls need them to distribute and create for others, as no other Bulls player can do this consistently. Rose was not only their top scoring option, but the player who set up the entire offense. Neither Lucas nor Watson are true pass-first lead guards, but for the Bulls to win they must distribute first and foremost. Luckily for the Bulls, center Joakim Noah is arguably the best passing big man in the NBA and the team can run the offense through him at times, but for prolonged success, the point guards must\distribute and do it consistently.

The Bulls may have lost their best offensive player, but luckily, they still have their defense behind them, which may be the best in the NBA. Rose is a solid defender, but his loss will not affect the Bulls’ defense. The team’s main reason for past Rose-less success was their smothering defense, as Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Omer Asik, Luol Deng and Ronnie Brewer are All-NBA-Defensive Team caliber players. It is safe to say that the defense is in very capable hands and if the team plays up to their defensive talent, then they have an excellent chance to advance deep into the playoffs.

The Bulls are the top rebounding team in the NBA, but also the top offensive rebounding team, which will assure extra possessions, which will be needed, as without Rose, the Bulls will need every second chance possible on offense. Along with rebounding and defense, the team will also need to keep up their energy level and must out hustle their adversaries at all times. Luckily this is not too difficult for them as they have an emotional leader in Joakim Noah on the court and fiery coach, Tom Thibodeau on the bench, who both push the team to higher levels. A Rose-less Bulls squad may not be the most talented team, but with their defense, rebounding and constant energy, they are able to beat any team on any day. If they continue playing to their strengths, there is no telling how far they can go.

The final key to playoff success for Chicago, will be their mindset/mentality. They have been dealt a vital blow and on the surface their championship hopes seem to have disappeared, but the players cannot give into self-pity and doubt and they must continue to play the way they have all year long. They have and can win without Rose and they must go into every game with that knowledge.

Eastern Conference:

1^st seed Chicago Bulls Vs. 8^th seed Philadelphia 76ers

- The 76ers are a good team, but are nowhere near the Bulls in terms of talent and potential. Yes, the 76ers are deep, well coached and have a great defense, but their lack of a go-to-player and an explosive offense will hurt them.  For Chicago, this will be an easy series as they are simply the better team overall. However, if Rose is not completely healthy and struggles, the 6ers could have a chance to win a game or two.

Bulls in 4 Games

2^nd seed Miami Heat Vs. 7^th seed New York Knicks

- This may be the most entertaining series of the first round. Two star powered teams will go at it, but the Heat are the far superior team. The Knicks are not the defensive pushovers of years past, but they simply have no answer to Wade and Lebron, which should make all the difference in the series.

Heat in 5 Games

3^rd seed Indiana Pacers Vs. 6^th seed Orlando Magic

- The Pacers should dominate the Howard-less Magic, but the Orlando role players have the potential to win a couple of games. The Pacers are a complete and deep team, but their inexperience could hurt them, while the Magic have all been in this position before. Talent should definitely win over in this scenario, so expect the Pacers to advance to the next round.

Pacers in 6 Games

4^th seed Boston Celtics Vs. 5^th seed Atlanta Hawks

- There is still a chance that the Hawks could get Al Horford back at some point in the series, but even he would not be enough to beat the surging Celtics. The Celtics have been one of the NBA’s best since the All-Star break and have the experience and talent to easily knock out the Hawks.

-Celtics in 5 Games

 Western Conference

1^st seed San Antonio Spurs Vs. 8^th seed Utah Jazz

- The Jazz must be commended for a surprising run and making it into the playoffs, but they are playing a team that is way out of their league. The Spurs have too much talent, depth and experience for the Jazz to handle, which should make for a very short series.

Spurs in 5

2^nd seed Oklahoma City Thunder Vs. 7^th seed Dallas Mavericks

- This is a great first round series,  as it is a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals. The difference of course is that these two teams are very different from where they were 12 months ago. The Mavericks are older and worse defensively, while the Thunder have matured and have arguably the league’s most talented roster. It is highly doubtful that the Mavericks win this series and get a chance to repeat as champs.

Thunder in 6

3^rd seed Los Angeles Lakers Vs. 6^th seed Denver Nuggets

-The Nuggets are a fantastic offensive team and can score at will, but Denver is simply playing a better team. It is simply impossible to bet against Kobe in the playoffs and with the way Gasol and Bynum are playing, the Nuggets do not have much of a chance in this series.

 Lakers in 6

4^th seed Memphis Grizzlies Vs. 5^th seed Los Angeles Clippers

- One of the more intriguing first round match ups, this series has two very young and talented teams trying to move up into the West Elite. The Clippers may have the two best players in this series, but Memphis is an incredibly balanced squad, with talent and depth at every position. Memphis also has the far superior coach in Lionel Hollins, which all ads up to a Grizzlies series win.

Grizzlies in 7

1. End of the Lockout

- The lockout took way too long and cost NBA fans over a month and a half of basketball, but it thankfully ended in time for there to be at least some semblance of a season. Still, 66 games are better than none and now 4 months after the fact, looking back, the basketball world was given a phenomenal season. No storyline is better than actually getting a season of NBA basketball and basketball fans were lucky that the season was not canceled. Now that would have been a big story.

2. Miami Heat Take 2

- As soon as basketball started again, the one subplot that inevitably came to mind, was the Heat’s second attempt at a Big Three NBA title. Because of league-wide hate for the team and the way-too-dramatic way the team was formed, every game they lose and every championship that isn’t won, will be thought of as a massive failure. All year long, every one of their games has been heavily scrutinized and the “will they or wont they?” storyline will continue until the end of the playoffs. The great thing about this story is that it will continue to be an intriguing plotline every year until they win a title.

3. Howard Saga

- The Howard Circus has been in full swing all year and until he gets traded or signs long-term, the team will be in flux. The back and forth of Howard has been entertaining, yet extremely frustrating, but when push comes to shove, Howard seems to be worth the trouble. It is always incredibly entertaining when it is unknown where a superstar will end up and Howard’s constant flip-flopping has made for an incredible story. Despite him making a fool out of himself, there is no doubt that Howard is a franchise altering, dominant superstar, that could change the fortunes of any team he goes to. This is why the speculation on his future destination is so infixed in NBA headlines across the country. Howard’s recent back issues will cause him to miss the rest of the regular season, playoffs and the Olympic Games, but the story should pick up again at the start of training camp next season.

4. Jeremy Lin Shines

- This season’s most shocking story was easily the rise of Jeremy Lin, a player signed on to be the team’s fourth point guard, who ended up starting and leading the struggling Knicks back to respectability. The first American born Chinese player in NBA history and former undrafted Harvard star came out of nowhere to become one of the better point guards in the league. Everyone loves an underdog story and Jeremy Lin gave the world one for the ages.

5. Cavaliers Resurgence

- When Lebron left the team in the most unprofessional way imaginable, the team was bound to fall and they did; hard. After one of the most disastrous years of any franchise in recent memory, the Cavaliers have had a breakthrough season, led by rookie Kyrie Irving. The team may not be playoff caliber and the Cavs may have one of the league’s worst records, but they are leaps and bounds better than last season. No fan base should have to suffer through what James did to the Cavaliers and it is great to see the team back on the right track. It may take a few years for them to make it back to the playoffs, but the fans now have hope, which is more than they had one year ago.

6. The Trade That Wasn’t (Stern Flexes Muscles)

- The Hornets, Lakers and Rockets had a deal on the table that all parties had agreed to and was actually quite fair for all involved, but the league owned Hornets balked. The original trade involved Chris Paul going to the Lakers, Pau Gasol going to the Rockets and a multitude of players going to the Hornets, but David Stern, for whatever reason, decided to flex his muscles and show his power and vetoed the move. Even though Stern ended up working with Dell Demps to find a better deal, this was a big plotline, since it made the commissioner look power hungry and unreasonable, which is never good for the league. This added to the anger towards the commissioner that was built up during the NBA lockout.

7. The Trade That Was (Paul to the Clippers)

Whenever a top ten player gets traded, it will be a massive story and the trade for Chris Paul was no different. This was the deal that Stern did accept and it sent Paul to the Clippers. Paul has since changed the fortunes of the franchise and has teamed up with Blake Griffin to form one of the top duos in the NBA. This move has finally made the Clippers relevant and has given real hope to the fans of actual prolonged success, which is something the team has never really had.

8. Ricky Rubio Comes To America

- Rubio has had massive hype, ever since a wonderful ‘08 Olympic run, where he nearly helped Spain win Olympic gold over the US.  Oh and by the way, he was only 17 at the time, which had NBA scouts drooling over his potential. The next year he was in the NBA draft and was picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but because of overseas contract issues, he was forced to stay in Spain until this season. The hype had lessened some over those two years in Spain, because of mediocre play in Spain, however, Minnesota fans welcomed him with open arms the minute he came to the United States. These fans were rewarded with electrifying play from the beginning and were able to watch a star blossom in front of their very eyes. He is already one of the best point guards in the NBA and has shockingly justified the ridiculous hype that had been built. Sadly, he blew out his knee and will miss the rest of this season and the Olympics this summer, but he looks to be one of the brightest young players in this league.

9. Lakers Vs. Clippers

- The Los Angeles Clippers are in the running for their first Pacific Division title ever and are fighting for this achievement against their cross-town rivals. It is great for Clippers’ fans to finally have a relevant team, however for casual fans, it sets up an entertaining discussion of whose better? The story could have an epic climax as they could end up meeting in the playoffs.

10. Bobcats Going For Horrid History

- The Bobcats are currently on pace to finish with the worst winning percentage of any team in NBA history, which means that all-time awfulness hangs in the balance. They are also in the running for the worst point differential in league history, which all ads up to hilariously terrible basketball. Everyone involved should be ashamed and embarrassed, but for fans of the NBA, it is one of the great storylines of the year. Come on Bobcats, let’s keep it going, go for the gold, or whatever medal historic failure brin

 1. Neil Olshey- Los Angeles Clippers (WINNER)

- The Clippers are not only relevant, they are downright good and this is because of the incredible job by GM Neil Olshey. Olshey truly deserves the award, as he has been by far the top executive of the 2011-12 season. The Chris Paul trade has turned out beautifully and even though they may have given up a lot, they now have one of the eight best players in the world on their team. Paul has made a massive difference on this team and has made every player Clipper player better, just by being there. If Paul were to leave after the 2012-13 season, Olshey’s great season would be forgotten, but considering how good the Clippers look, this seems doubtful. It is safe to assume that Paul will resign with the team long-term, as they look to be contenders now and for many years to come. Besides the Paul move, Olshey has done a wonderful job bringing the depth back that the team lost in the aforementioned Paul trade. Signing Caron Butler has been a solid move as he has brought scoring and defense to the team on the perimeter and although he is not the player he once was, he has had a fine year. The Kenyon Martin pickup was a great move, as he has brought his signature defense and intensity off their bench. Olshey was also able to steal talented shooting guard Nick Young for only Brian Cook and a second round pick. Young has done well and has brought extra scoring off the bench. Most thought that the team spent far too much money, resigning center Deandre Jordan, however he has improved immensely this season and is now one of the best defensive big men in the NBA. Lastly, the Chauncey Billups post-amnesty signing looked great until he was injured, as he brought leadership and experience to a team that truly needed it. So overall, Olshey has had an absolutely stellar season, and the fact that he has been able to succeed under the Clippers’ notoriously cheap owner Donald Sterling, makes this all the more amazing. Make room on the mantle Mr. Olshey, because the award is yours.

2. Glen Grunwald- New York Knicks

- Second place is pretty amazing work for an interim GM, which is what Grunwald’s official title has been, after he took over for Donnie Walsh. Walsh must also be given due credit as he created the foundation of the team, but Grunwald has done the little things to fill in the gaps. The team’s signing of center Tyson Chandler has been a franchise-altering move for them, as he has led the team out of the bottom in defensive efficiency and into the top half of the league. Many were skeptical at the amount of money Chandler was given, but he seems to be worth every penny and has been arguably the team’s most valuable player all season long. Chandler should win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award and is far and away number one in the NBA in field goal percentage. Of course, the move that has grabbed every fan’s attention was the signing of point guard Jeremy Lin to be the team’s fourth point guard and glorified cheerleader, which turned out spectacularly. The successes of Lin are well known and documented, but it all started with a gamble, one that has paid off and has finally found the team it’s franchise point guard that they have long sought after. The Knicks also had a great draft landing Georgia Tech guard, Iman Shumpert and Kentucky big man, Josh Harrellson, who have both made the rotation. Shumpert has the makings of an elite defender and has the athleticism and talent to become a great offensive player as well. Harrellson has added needed size off the bench and has showed a very solid all-around game. They may not have drafted a star, but the draft has improved their depth and talent on the roster. Also, the mid-season signing of JR Smith was a low-risk, high-reward move that has worked out beautifully. He did struggle some at first, but has come alive as of late and has been electrifying off the Knick bench. Even the signing of Baron Davis has worked out, although not as much as the team hoped. He has been awful shooting the ball, but has distributed well and has been passable as the starting point guard, with Lin injured. The Knicks may not be a championship caliber team, but their talent level has risen immensely since last season, which means that management has done a great job, especially Glen Grunwald.

3. Chris Grant- Cleveland Cavaliers

- The Cavs needed to hit a home run with their number one pick, in an effort to start over after losing King James and they did just that. They took a chance on point guard Kyrie Irving, who because of injury missed most of his freshmen season, but he has been phenomenal all year and seems to be the franchise player the team sorely needed after losing Lebron. He is the sure-fire Rookie of the Year and looks to be an All-Star for many years to come. The Cavaliers then surprised many by drafting raw forward Tristan Thompson fourth overall. He may never be a star, but he is a great athlete and has the potential to be a dynamic defensive presence and has showed more on offense than expected. With these two extremely young building blocks, the team has started their rebuilding process with a bang. Grant and the Cavaliers also wisely stayed clear from free agency and will have a lot of cap space to work with over the next few years, to help them continue to rebuild the roster. It is safe to say that the future in Cleveland is much brighter then it was a year ago and this is because of the work of Chris Grant and his staff.

4. RC Buford- San Antonio Spurs

- Buford has been arguably the NBA’s top executive over the last decade and has once again had a great year. No one expected the Spurs to be championship contenders, but they have a chance to obtain the number one seed in the Western Conference for the second straight year. Buford has done a wonderful job of adding young talent around their big three, which has kept their championship window open for at least this season. The draft day trade that landed them forward Kawhi Leonard for guard George Hill has been a coup, as he looks to be one of the best players in the draft and a possible lockdown defender, with the potential to grow on offense. They were also somehow able to move Richard Jefferson and has monstrous contract for Stephen Jackson who is a better fit on the roster and has one year and over 10 million less on his contract. The low-key move to acquire guard Danny Green has paid massive dividends, as he is starting for the team and is playing great two-way basketball. Buford may not have made a big splash and dramatically changed the team, but he has made numerous solid moves that have truly improved the team. Another good year, from one of the all-time great executives in the league’s history.

5. Pat Riley- Miami Heat

- With the big three already in place, Riley had the difficult challenge to fill out the team around his stars and with little cap space to do so. The biggest move for the Heat was their cap friendly signing of do-everything forward Shane Battier. An outstanding defender, passer, shooter and teammate, Battier has brought sorely needed leadership to the team, as well as a winning mentality. The only problem with Battier has been that his offense has been less than spectacular and he has struggled with his shot all season long. Luckily for the Heat, his intangibles and character have more than made up for his offensive problems. The team drafted Norris Cole, a gifted scorer and speedster, who has filled the role of backup point guard and bench scorer quite well. He may struggle with turnovers and a somewhat questionable shot selection and has not built off of his fantastic first month in the NBA, but he is an asset to the team. Also, the mid-season pickup of Ronnie Turiaf has proved successful, as he has brought his usual energy and defense to the team, which will help come playoff time. Finally, the resigning of starting point guard Mario Chalmers has been an underrated move, as he has finally become worthy of being an NBA starter, as he has improved his already stellar defense and has become an elite shooter. He may not be a great distributor, but with Lebron and Wade, the team does need that out of their point guard in order to be successful. Riley may not have had as outstanding a year as last year, when he signed the big three, but he was successful none-the-less.

6. Larry Riley- Golden State Warriors

- It is safe to say that in the span of six months, the Warriors have changed the dynamic of the team and have finally attempted to improve the team’s culture and defense. This came in three separate, but successful moves. The team finally traded scoring savant, but defensive sieve, Monte Ellis and in turn received a top-five NBA center in Andrew Bogut, who is one of the best defensive players in the NBA. Bogut may be chronically injured and currently out, but if healthy, will improve the team dramatically on defense. They then traded Stephen Jackson (who was also in the Bogut deal) for Richard Jefferson, who despite being more expensive, is the superior player and a much better defender. The final trade was acquiring shooting guard Brandon Rush for Lou Amundson. Rush has had his best season to date and has been a solid two-way player for the team and their top player off the bench. Also, the Warriors’ lottery pick, Klay Thompson has taken off since entering the starting lineup for Monte Ellis and looks to be one of the best rookies in his draft class. Overall, a very solid year for Larry Riley and new owner, Joe Lacob.

7. Larry Bird- Indiana Pacers

- Larry Bird has once again added great pieces to the Pacers in an effort to turn them into contenders. The Pacers are currently the 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, so they seem to be well on their way to becoming one of the NBA’s best teams. The big move was the signing of veteran and former 2-time All-Star, forward David West. Although he has struggled to regain some of his past glory after coming off of a serious knee injury, West has provided veteran leadership and has been an effective starter, averaging over 12 points and 6 rebounds while playing just under 30 minutes a night. As detailed in the Spurs’ section, the team traded the draft rights of Kawhi Leonard to the Spurs for George Hill and it has worked out just as well for the Pacers as it has for the Spurs. Hill has provided great scoring off the bench and has been an excellent backup point guard, while playing his normal solid defense. The team’s midseason pickup of Leandro Barbosa has also worked out well as he has brought his own scoring talents off the bench and has improved the team’s depth considerably. Larry Bird has proven that he is one of the best executives in the NBA and has once again brought his team closer to contention.

8. Dell Demps- New Orleans Hornets

- The amount of work put in by Demps in the Chris Paul trade is commendable and despite the failed trade attempt with the Lakers, he got the best possible deal he could. Now that the team finally has a new owner in Saints’ owner Tom Benson, Demps should be able to actually get some work done and not have to appease David Stern anymore. The haul in the Chris Paul trade was quite substantial, a young budding superstar in Eric Gordon, a massive expiring contract in Chris Kaman, a talented, but raw forward named Al Farouq Aminu and Minnesota’s unprotected first round pick, currently expected to go in the top ten. Demps also pulled off three lesser, but successful moves in acquiring talented backup point guard Grevious Vasquez, high potential shooting guard Xavier Henry and rookie Gustavo Ayon from Mexico. All in all, Demps did a great job, considering the obstacles in his way. It will be interesting to see how Demps does under the new owner and if he will be given the freedom to rebuild the team on his own terms.

9.  Danny Ainge- Boston Celtics

- This is not as much about what Ainge has done, but what he didn’t do. After massive pressure from the media and fans, Ainge chose to stay the course and not trade away any of his Big Four. It is safe to say that this strategy has definitely paid off, as the Celtics are one of hottest teams heading into the playoffs. He has made a few very wise personnel moves this season, mainly trading Glen Davis for Brandon Bass. Bass, despite making two million a year less, has been the far superior player throughout the year. Also, the pickup of undrafted rookie Greg Stiemsma has panned out, as he has proven to be a very capable backup center and a handful on defense. Despite those quality moves, the Celtics’ season seems to be a classic example of the road not taken and the overall successes that can come from that choice.

10. Mitch Kupchak- Los Angeles Lakers

- Kupchak has made the list for one reason, his trade-deadline deal for Ramon Sessions, who has filled the long-needed role of starting point guard for the team. Ramon Sessions has added fire to the team since the trade, as he is an elite distributor and a solid scorer. This move alone has once again made the Lakers championship caliber and has finally given them a productive player other than Bryant, Gasol and Bynum. The other moves this season included, trading for Jordan Hill, signing Josh McRoberts and Troy Murphy and drafting Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris, but none of these moves have exactly panned out. To be fair, Goudelock has showed promise as a scoring guard off the bench and has the talent to become an elite three-point shooter. Regardless, the Sessions move has greatly improved the teams’ chances of winning a title and sometimes one move is all that it takes for a GM to have a successful year.

Top Storylines Heading into Playoffs

1. Race for the Top Seeds

East: For now, the Bulls have a big lead over the  Heat, but it is impossible to count out Miami. Both teams are phenomenal at home and therefore, earning the top seed will be of great importance for their inevitable Eastern Conference Finals match up. The Bulls main concern is getting Derrick Rose and Richard Hamilton completely healthy and they will not play them unless they are 100%, which may give the Heat a chance to catch up. The Heat have been awful on the road as of late, so expect the Bulls to take the top seed.

West: The Spurs and Thunder are neck and neck, however each team has a completely different view on home court advantage. The Spurs have been near the top of the conference for almost a decade and are used to the rigors of the playoffs and playing on the road. Their main concern is getting completely healthy and giving their aging players enough rest for the long road to the NBA finals. The Thunder are a young and inexperienced team, who are most comfortable at home, so earning the top seed is of much importance, as they struggle on the road. Expect the Thunder to go full speed until the end of the season and for the Spurs to ease off the gas.

2. Health

As was expected in such a compressed schedule, injuries have taken a toll on many teams and have affected numerous playoff contenders. It will be very interesting to see who will play and who will sit down the stretch and in the playoffs and how affective they can be if they decide to tough it out. Health could very well ruin championship dreams this season and eliminate great teams early.

3. Who Will Take the Final Seeds?

East: The first seven spots are all but set, as the Bulls, Heat, Pacers, Celtics, Hawks, Magic and 76ers have all but clinched a playoff birth, but the last seed will come down to the Knicks and Bucks. Both teams have played well as of late, but the Knicks have been without Stoudemire for weeks and will be without Jeremy Lin for the rest of the season and probably the playoffs. They have also been struggling with chemistry all year long and still do not seem cohesive.  However, they have been much improved since Mike Woodson took over for Mike D’Antoni last month, but they will have to hold off the surging Bucks. Milwaukee traded an injured Andrew Bogut for a healthy Monte Ellis and Ekpe Udoh at the trade deadline and in turn, improved their chances at a playoff run. Ellis and Brandon Jennings have created one of the most explosive backcourts in the league, but the team has struggled on defense and have little quality size. It will be a great race to the finish, but neither team has much of a chance to beat the Heat or Bulls in the playoffs.

West: Unlike with the East, the Western Conference is all over the place. Only five teams seem to be guaranteed a playoff birth; the Thunder, Spurs, Lakers, Clippers and Grizzlies, but the last three spots will be decided in the final week. The Mavericks, Rockets, Nuggets, Suns and Jazz are all within two games of each other, which will make for an exciting final ten games of the season.

4. Fatigue Factor

- Like injuries, fatigue has been a major factor this season and teams that clinch playoff spots early, would be wise to give as much rest to players as possible. The Spurs have already started resting Duncan, Parker and Ginobili and other teams would be smart to do the same, especially the older ones. It will be fascinating to see which teams look tired towards the end of the season and if it will effect them come playoff time.
5. Can The Older Teams Make a Run?

- Every year the Lakers, Spurs and Celtics keep hearing that their window has closed and once again, each of these teams are near the top of their respective conferences. All three could conceivably win the title, but it will be interesting to see if they have the legs to make it through the playoffs, after this shortened and condensed season.

6. Cinderella Story

- Each year, the public likes to guess at which team will become the Cinderella of the playoffs. Last year, the Grizzlies played the role well and came within a game of making the Western Conference finals. The world loves an underdog and it will be interesting to see who gets crowned as this season’s possible Cinderella team.

7. Jeremy Lin

- Despite the fact that Lin has been all but ruled out of play until at least the second round of the playoffs, people will want constant updates on his health and availability. It would become a wonderful story if he somehow plays in the first round and leads the Knicks to an upset, however it is doubtful that Lin will play again this season, as he is coming off a serious injury.  Once again, it must be noted that the Knicks may not even make the playoffs, so the Jeremy Lin story could simply become moot.

8. Depth

- Having depth in the regular seasons can help a team win games, but it is well known that depth becomes much less of a factor in the playoffs, as coaches play their starters as much as they can handle. Because of the aforementioned short season and probable fatigue, it will be interesting to see if benches become more important than usual in the playoffs. If so, it will give a major advantage to the Bulls and Spurs, who would not be fighting for the top seed in their conferences, without it. Other playoff contenders with great depth; the 76ers, Nuggets, Rockets, Grizzlies and Pacers.

9. The Los Angeles Rivalry

- The Clippers are looking to end the Lakers’ long running dominance of the Pacific Division and are fighting for their first Pacific title ever. It is currently a very close race and should go down to the final days. There is also a very good chance that the two teams could meet in the first round of the playoffs, which would create one of the most intriguing first round series in years.

10. Can the Heat Make it Over the Hump?

- What is bound to be the hot topic around playoff time is whether or not the Heat can win the title. Because of the hype and the dramatic actions that formed the team, as well as the national spotlight, every year they lose, they will be called failures. Fair or not, this is the reality that the Heat will face and every game, play and mistake will be heavily discussed. If they lose, they will endure another year of torment and questions about if they have what it takes to actually win the trophy.