Scouts had been warning for months that the 2011 NBA Draft wasn’t exactly going to set the world on fire. A limited talent pool only got weaker when underclassmen like Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes and Perry Jones all decided to return to school, leaving Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams, probably top-10 guys in most drafts, as the consensus top two picks. Some columnists tried to stir up excitement by firing up trade rumours, but even those failed to materialize – the most interesting name to get traded was probably Raymond Felton.

The draft amounted to little more than a couple of hours of Jay Bilas talking about long arms, Jay Bilas uttering the sentence “he needs to learn how to play and how to score,” and awkward interviews with parents. Approximately 80% of the draft’s entertainment value came from Jan Vesely alone.

As disappointing as it may have been, several teams helped themselves, adding useful pieces, just not future All-Stars.

Let’s quickly run down the first round in this mediocre draft.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke – A safe, if uninspired pick, Irving should be a solid starter at the point from Day 1 and quarterback Cleveland’s offence for a decade. A solid all-around player without any real holes in his game. Grade: A-

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, F, Arizona – The Wolves have a logjam at forward with Michael Beasley and Kevin Love, but Williams was clearly the best player available. He scores as easily as any player in this draft and has borderline All-Star potential. Grade: A-

3. Utah Jazz: Enes Kanter, C, Turkey – Kanter is a bit of an unknown, as he hasn’t played competitively in a year now, but he’s known for playing a gritty interior game and having the skill to step out and hit some mid-range shots. He could form a nice front-line with Derrick Favors in a couple of years. Grade: B+

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Tristan Thompson, F, Texas – The highest-drafted Canadian player ever, Thompson had been rapidly climbing draft boards in the week before the draft, but still came as a bit of a surprise at fourth overall. The Cavaliers, clearly a long ways from making the playoffs, could have waited a year for Jonas Valanciunas, but opted for the athletic, hard-working Toronto native. He doesn’t have much of an offensive game, but is a terrific rebounder. Grade: B-

5. Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas, F, Lithuania – As many groans as this choice may have elicited amongst Raptors fans, who have grown tired of GM Bryan Colangelo’s attempts to build a Eurocentric team, it could pay significant dividends. Valanciunas won’t play in the NBA this year, which should keep the Raps near the bottom of the NBA standings once again. That should leave them in good position for a high pick in the 2012 draft, which looks significantly better. Adding next year’s pick and Valanciunas – who some feel could become the best player in this draft – should give the Raptors a nice foundation. Grade: B

6. Washington Wizards: Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic – The Dunking Ninja arrives in the NBA! With an extremely tall/hot girlfriend! And calling out Blake Griffin! And allowing ESPN’s booth to make tall white guy comparisons to Tom Chambers! What fun. Basketball Grade: A- Entertainment Grade: A++

7. Charlotte Bobcats (from Sacramento): Bismack Biyombo, F, Congo – Having woo’d scouts with his multilingual charm and “amazing body,” Biyombo worked his way into the top 10 and should immediately improve the Bobcats interior defence. If coach Paul Silas could find a way to sneak him off the court when they get the ball, they’d be in even better shape. Grade: B

8. Detroit Pistons: Brandon Knight, G, Kentucky – The Pistons already have two score-first combo guards on the roster in Ben Gordon and Rodney Stuckey, but Knight is better than both and had been projected as high as the third overall pick. He’s a good value at eight, and judging by the look on his face as he slid down the draft, he’s entering the league with a sizable chip on his shoulder. Grade: A-

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Kemba Walker, G, Conneticut – Throughout the night, Jay Bilas kept using D.J. Augustin as an example of how a guard of Walker’s stature can become a successful starter in the Association. So, naturally he’s drafted by the team that already employs D.J. Augustin. Grade: C+

10. Sacramento Kings: Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU – Drafting for redundancy seems to have replaced drafting for need. Tyreke Evans is a talented, scoring combo guard. So is Jimmer. And so is John Salmons, who the Kings inexplicably re-acquired to make this mess worse. Oh, and the coaching staff doesn’t like the pick either. Grade: D

11. Golden State: Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State – Same story. The Warriors already have Steph Curry and Monta Ellis to do the scoring. Thompson is a very good player, a great shooter with good size and a well-rounded game, but it’s hard to figure where he fits in G-State. The writing might be on the wall for Monta, who’s been involved in a few trade rumours in the last month or so. Grade: C+ (but could be higher if they get good value for Ellis)

12. Utah Jazz: Alec Burks, SG, Colorado – Burks is another nice pick for the Jazz, who have quickly re-tooled for the post-Williams/Boozer Era. He can’t shoot, but does everything else well. If his jumper comes around, he could be an excellent, Eric Gordon-esque two-guard.

13. Phoenix Suns: Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas – The Suns have a defensive-minded, hard-working big man whose twin brother plays in the NBA. His name is Robin Lopez. Now they have another. Grade: C+

14. Houston Rockets: Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas – Marcus is a more perimeter-oriented player than his brother, but it’s unclear what position he’ll play in the pros. He’s a bit undersized at 6-9. Grade: B-

15. San Antonio Spurs (from Indiana): Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State – Leonard is an absolute steal at 15, a defensive stopper who will outwork everybody on the floor and could develop into a contributor on offence as well. A typically brilliant move by Spurs GM R.C. Buford. Grade: A

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Nikola Vucevic, C, USC – With great size and a decent skill set, Vucevic should be a reliable contributor at a premium position. Grade: B

17. New York Knicks: Iman Shumpert, G, Georgia Tech – And cue the annual booing of the Knicks pick. With defensive ace Chris Singleton still available, Shumpert is a strange pick. He has good upside, but hasn’t emerged as the player the Yellow Jackets hoped he’d be. Grade: C+

18. Washington Wizards: Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State – Another nice pick for the Wizards. Singleton is simply the best defensive player in this draft, and should be an excellent situational player from Day 1. Grade: A-

19. Milwaukee Bucks: Tobias Harris, PF, Tennessee – Harris is an incredibly intelligent player, despite being only 18 years old. He should be a nice, versatile piece on a young Bucks team. Grade: A-

20. Houston Rockets: Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Lithuania – Houston has plenty of rebounders on the roster, which should help compensate for Motiejunas’ all-encompassing reluctance to make physical contact with other basketball players. Grade: B-

21. Portland Trail Blazers: Nolan Smith, G, Duke – In most drafts, picking a guy who will be a sixth man – at best – with the 21st overall pick would be a reach. In this draft, it’s almost savvy. Grade: B

22. Denver Nuggets: Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State – Thank you, Mr. Faried, for making Stu Scott yell “Brick City, stand up!” Grade: A-

23. Chicago Bulls: Nikola Mirotic, SF, Serbia – Mirotic won’t come over from Europe for a few years, but he’s arguably the best European player in this draft. The Bulls can wait for him., keeping a valuable asset in their back pocket. Grade: A

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Reggie Jackson, G, Boston College – Eric Maynor has been a nice third guard for the Thunder, but apparently they wanted an upgrade. Few teams were as high on Jackson as Oklahoma City, but Sam Presti has to get the benefit of the doubt here. Grade: B

25. New Jersey: Marshon Brooks, SG, Providence – Brooks takes some bad shots, but has great upside as big-time scorer at the two. Very good value this far into the first round. Grade: A

26. Denver Nuggets: Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas – It’s hard to see where Hamilton fits on the Nuggets, with Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler already on board. Still, he’s a phenomenal value at this point and could be a useful trade asset. Grade: B+

27. Boston Celtics: JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue – Another good value in the late first round, Johnson is a long and athletic four who could learn from watching Kevin Garnett for a year or two. Grade: B+

28. Miami Heat: Norris Cole, PG, Cleveland St. – And for the second time in a year, a Cleveland star departs for Miami. Just devastating. Grade: B+

29. San Antonio Spurs: Cory Joseph, PG, Texas – With George Hill traded to Indiana for Kawhi Leonard, Joseph looks set to step in as Tony Parker’s primary back-up. Another Canadian drafted in the first-round. Grade: B

30. Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler, SF, Marquette – A hard-working swingman who can guard multiple positions, Butler should stick in the league as a strong role player off the bench. Grade: A-

It was as memorable an NBA Finals as you could ask for, with nearly every game decided in the final minutes.

Yet two days after the Dallas Mavericks captured the first championship in franchise history, all the talk isn’t about who won, but who lost.

Namely, LeBron James.

Ever since James and Chris Bosh teamed up in Miami with Dwyane Wade, their every move has made NBA news headlines, been studied, scrutinized and dissected. The media did their best to turn the Heat into WWE-style heels, with several columnists openly rooting for their failure, as it would somehow validate purists who believe you can’t win an NBA championship with only three players.

But despite a rocky start, the Heat were right there near the top of the NBA standings at the end of the year, and made mincemeat of the 76ers, Celtics and Bulls on their way to the NBA finals. Suddenly The Decision, the welcome party they threw for themselves, and the talk of a dynasty all seemed on the verge of being forgiven. Only an old Mavs team many wrote off before the first round of the playoffs stood in the way of the Heat becoming maybe the most divisive champions the Association has ever seen.

Only the Mavs, or a bizarre disappearing act from the best basketball player on Earth.

LeBron looked good through the first three rounds of the playoffs, playing excellent defence while facilitating and scoring in equal measure on the other end. Wade and Bosh each carried the Heat offensively at times, but LeBron was their best all-around player.

But there he was after Game 3 of the Finals, sitting beside Wade for their usual tag-team press conference, deflecting questions about “shrinking,” not being a true superstar. And there he was two days later, scoring only eight points while a flu-ridden Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas to a dramatic late victory. Two days later he posted the least impressive playoff triple-double in history, faltering again in the fourth quarter of a crucial Game 5.

He put the finishing touches on his magnum opus of mediocrity in the deciding Game 6, deferring repeatedly to Wade and even Eddie House with the game on the line, unable to successfully post up J.J. Barea, who stands a full foot shorter than him. Overall, his scoring average in the Finals was eight points lower than it had been throughout the playoffs.

So while the media praised Nowitzki and the Mavs, a collection of ring-less veterans finally getting their due, the conversation very quickly moved back to LeBron.

What happened? Why did it happen? How could it happen?

Some took it as proof that Miami’s three-star, no-bench strategy defies the basketball gods and thus had to be stricken down.

Others took it as proof that LeBron lacks the make-up to be the generational icon he so desperately wants to be.

Sadly, what’s getting lost in all this conjecture is the good story – a team of past-their-prime role players came together for six weeks in the spring, played smart, team basketball, and won a championship, while Dirk Nowitzki solidified himself as one of the greatest basketball players of all-time.

(Something LeBron still hasn’t done.)

With the 2010-2011 NBA season in the books, the basketball world now turns its attention to the draft, the last bit of fun before a potentially-depressing labour dispute kicks into high gear in July. (Of course, the pile-on-LeBron party seems like it might just keep the sports media busy through the rest of the summer.)

With the first pick only 10 days away, it’s time to start guessing how things will play out when the names are called at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke

With the Cavaliers winning the first overall pick in the lottery, following a season spent near the bottom of the NBA standings, basketball fans in Cleveland seem to be in the midst of a very nice month of June. After gleefully watching LeBron get excoriated left and right for disappearing in the NBA Finals once again, their franchise now has the opportunity to begin rebuilding. There are no potential superstars in this draft class, but with Kyrie Irving the Cavs could pick a point guard who should be an above-average starter from Day 1. He has great court vision, good quickness, and scores when necessary. In today’s point guard-rich Association, he may never be an All-NBA type player, but certainly one of the ten best at his position.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona

Heartbroken that there isn’t another point guard worth drafting this high, Timberwolves GM David Kahn drafts a player extremely similar to one he already has on his roster – former #2 overall pick Michael Beasley.

Most signs suggest Kahn is actively looking to trade out of this spot in exchange for an established veteran, building his team around Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. If he can’t, explosive scorer Williams will probably be the pick, with Beasley being shipped out of town.

3. Utah Jazz – Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky

With the trade of Deron Williams, the Jazz suddenly became a rebuilding team. Utah fans desperately want beloved BYU star Jimmer Fredette, but third overall is too high to draft an athletically-limited one-dimensional shooter. Knight, too, is a shoot-first guard, but he’s also a rangy, tough defender who can score both from the outside and near the basket. Devin Harris isn’t the long-term answer in Utah, so drafting a potential star here makes sense.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers – Enes Kanter, C, Turkey

Back on the clock again, the Cavs can pick a guy that some had pegged as a first overall pick only a month ago. Due to some bad advice, Kanter was ruled ineligible by the NCAA last year and hasn’t played in months, but he’s known as a tough inside player who can rebound and score, plus step out and hit long jumpers. With Kanter, Irving, and J.J. Hickson, the Cavs can finally start looking to the future instead of dwelling on the past.

5. Toronto Raptors – Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State

The Raptors have a glaring hole at small forward – Sonny Weems and James Johnson aren’t the answer, sorry – and Leonard could be their guy. He’s not the most polished scorer, but DeMar DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani do most of the perimeter work for the Raps. Leonard is a powerful athlete who plays extremely hard, and he’s shown the ability to knock down outside shots. He wouldn’t have to be a go-to scorer in Toronto, just play defence and crash the boards for a team notoriously bad at doing both those things.

Round 3 of the 2011 NBA Playoffs pits two of the Association’s upstart young teams (Bulls, Thunder) against one group of haphazardly assembled superstars (Heat) and a squad of well-assembled former All-Stars in the twilight of their careers (Mavericks).

While the Conference Finals may lack brand recognition after the feeble Round 2 exits of the Celtics and Lakers, you could make the case that the four or five best basketball players in the world are all still playing, and both series could go deep.

Western Conference Finals – Dallas Mavericks (57-25, 3^rd seed) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (55-27, 5^th)

The Thunder and Mavericks are two franchises at very different stages of development. The Thunder are led by Kevin Durant, a 22-year-old forward who scores as effortlessly and in as many different ways as anyone in basketball – and he’s probably still three or four years away from his entering his prime. He’s surrounded by an impressive cast of young, budding stars including super-athletic point Russell Westbrook and smooth two-guard James Harden.

The Mavericks, on the other hand, feature one of the most consistent veteran scorers the sport has ever seen. At 32, Dirk Nowitzki has established himself as the greatest European basketball player in history, and has been the lone constant on a Mavs team that has won at least 50 games for 11 straight seasons. His jump shot is still nearly unblockable, and in Game 1 he dispelled any notion that the length and athleticism of Serge Ibaka would bother him.

Dirk’s supporting cast certainly isn’t as exciting as the Thunder’s, but with guys like Jason Terry, Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd playing significant minutes, they have plenty of playoff experience. The Jet can still take over a game off the bench, and J.J. Barea has emerged as a feisty scorer to take some of the load off of Dirk.

Prediction:If Game 1 is any indication, the Thunder simply have no answer for Dirk Nowitzki, who is quietly playing the best basketball of his career. Harden, Ibaka, and (especially) Westbrook have been exposed as a bit too volatile and inconsistent at this early juncture in their careers, while guys like Kidd and Tyson Chandler know their roles and let Dirk do most of the heavy lifting on offense. The Thunder should be able to run the older, slower Mavs off the court once or twice, and Durant might be able to match Dirk point-for-point, but OKC is just a bit too inconsistent to overcome Dallas’ steady, mature veteran squad. Mavs in 7.

Eastern Conference Finals – Chicago Bulls (62-20, 1^st seed) vs. Miami Heat (58-24, 2^nd seed)

If the Heat win this series, basketball purists are going to be devastated. The Bulls battled their way to the top of the NBA standings with excellent defence, rebounding, and teamwork. The Heat snuck around the NBA’s anti-tampering rules, built a three-man team, threw an opening night party to celebrate, and gave significant minutes to two awful Canadian centres.

But the fact remains that Miami sports two of the three best players on earth in LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, and both have been lights out in the postseason.

Of course, the other guy who belongs in the best-player-alive discussion is on the other side of the floor. A betonline.com scam? Not likely. Derrick Rose is the youngest MVP in league history and has been unstoppable in the playoffs despite limited offensive contributions from his supporting cast.

The Bulls are built to expose the Heat’s greatest flaws, namely their softness on the interior and lack of rebounding. Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer complement each other nicely in the front court, and the Heat’s scrap-heap of supporting big men (Joel Anthony, Jamaal Magloire, Zydraunas Ilgauskas,Juwan Howard, etc.) stand little chance of keeping them off the glass.

Prediction: LeBron, Wade, and Chris Bosh will all have to play like superstars to keep up with Rose and score against the NBA’s best defence. The Bulls will own the paint in this series, and as long as Luol Deng, Boozer and Noah can pour in a few points, they should be in the Finals. Bulls in 6. Basketball saved.

No matter how much basketball proponents argue that it’s as much a team game as any, the NBA is still a star-driven league. And those stars make their name in the playoffs.

The 2011 NBA Playoffs haven’t really had any unexpected breakout stars, but a number of guys have taken their games to higher levels than ever before.

Without further ado, let’s put together a couple of NBA All-Playoffs Team.

1^st Team

Derrick Rose, PG, Bulls

The newly-crowned NBA MVP – the youngest in the league’s history – has somehow elevated his game after a regular season seemingly played at full-throttle from start to finish. He led a flawed Bulls team to the top of the NBA standings, and now he’s dragging them through a playoff run despite being the only player capable of finding his own shot. He was super-human in the Bulls’ first two games against the Pacers, averaging 37.5 points, 6.5 assists and 7 rebounds. He’s slowed down statistically as guys like Luol Deng and Joakim Noah step up, but he’s still playing out of his mind.

Dwyane Wade, SG, Heat

“Flash” has shared the spotlight in this post-season like he’s never been able to before – easily done when LeBron James is standing alongside you – but has still managed to put up one of his best playoff performances ever (Game 1 against the Celtics). The Heatles are at their best when Wade assumes alpha-dog status and James becomes the best second banana in history, and they seem to be figuring that out. After seven playoff games, six of them wins, D-Wade is averaging 25.3 ppg, 4.9 apg, and chipping in 7.3 rebounds for good measure.

Kevin Durant, SF, Thunder

Durant shared the offensive load with breakout PG Russell Westbrook throughout the regular season, but Westbrook’s erratic, aggressive play has hampered Oklahoma City at times in the playoffs (Game 4 against Denver, for example), while Durant has calmly led every player in the playoffs with 31.6 ppg. His 41-point outburst to close out the Nuggets was one for the ages, and his hanging, twisting scoop shot along the baseline in Game 1 will be on his highlight reel for years.

Zach Randolph, PF, Grizzlies

If there’s one true surprise star of the 2011 Playoffs, it’s Z-Bo. For years he was seen as a clueless malcontent, a defensive sieve and the kind of guy that would launch a 28-foot jumper down five points in a fourth quarter.

But in 2010 he cut down on the lunacy and became one of the most dangerous offensive post players in basketball. He put up scores in bunches against the Spurs, leading the upstart Grizzlies past a veteran San Antonio squad in six games.

Dwight Howard, C, Magic

It’s hard to blame Howard for the Magic’s early exit against the uninspiring Atlanta Hawks. He was surrounded by shooters that couldn’t shoot and playmakers who couldn’t make plays. He put up 46 and 19 in Game 1, one of the most dominant performances you’ll ever see on a losing team. The disparity between Superman and the rest of his squad was so striking that it might’ve spelled the end of Howard’s career in Orlando.

2^nd Team

Chris Paul, PG, Hornets

Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers

LeBron James, SF, Heat

Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Mavs

Marc Gasol, C, Grizzlies

Even the biggest NBA fanboy has to admit it. The first round of the NHL playoffs has KILLED the Association’s.

The Nuggets-Thunder series, pegged by many as a potential high-scoring, seven-game classic, ended up a bit of a laugher. (Aside from a thrilling Game 1). The Melo-Amaré Knicks didn’t put up much of a fight against the Celtics, and the Heat easily handled the young, athletic 76ers.

Still, there have been some interesting storylines, like Chris Paul singlehandedly keeping the Hornets competitive against the Lakers, Derrick Rose’s continued dominance in Chicago, and Boston’s remarkable ability to turn their game on when the playoffs come around.

With half of the round one series already in the books, here are a few questions and predictions before we get to what is sure to be a thrilling second round.

Is this the end of the Dwight Howard Era in Orlando?

It’s weird to think that Dwight Howard is about to finish his seventh season in the NBA. Even more surprising is the fact that he’s still getting better. He finally developed a few offensive moves after working with Hakeem Olajuwon in the offseason, resulting in a career-high 22.9 ppg.

So why are the Magic on the verge of getting eliminated by a Hawks team that seemed to have quit on their coach only a couple of weeks ago?

Short answer, they suck.

But the long answer is that Magic GM Otis Smith has taken a weird approach in building a team around Howard for years, surrounding him with three-point shooters but no real help inside, or wings that can consistently find their own shot. And with D12 set to become a free agent after next season, you get the sense that he’s tired of waiting for Smith to give him a real team.

If Smith is proactive (unlikely), he’ll start looking for trade suitors for Howard before he leaves Orlando with nothing in return.

Is Brandon Roy still Brandon Roy?

Roy’s incredible fourth-quarter performance in Game 4 felt like the climax of a Disney sports movie, or a WWE pay-per-view. The former phenom, his career ruined by a series of knee injuries, turned back the clock to 2009 and led the Blazers on an amazing comeback to tie their series with the Mavs at two games apiece.

Was it the first sign that former All-Star could regain his form in 2011-12? Or was it just the final glimmer of a former star? Most analysts had written him off as a tragic figure, an incredibly likable, talented star whose career was cut short by knees that had been operated on so frequently that there’s nothing left to cut into. But in Game 4, he looked quick, explosive, and athletic again.

If he really does have something left, the Blazers could have a deeper playoff run in them, and NBA fans should consider themselves blessed.

Despite making a WWE-style “heel” turn by taking his talents to South Beach, LeBron James’s star has only gotten brighter this year. Earlier this month, it was announced that sales of his No. 6 Miami Heat jersey surpassed even those of Kobe Bryant, who for years reigned supreme in the NBA’s merchandise wars.

So The King now reigns supreme at Foot Locker, but is he better on the court than future Hall-of-Famer and five-time NBA champion Bryant?

Let’s take a quick look at how they match up.

Shooting

For years, Kobe has been one of the best mid-range shooters in basketball. No wing player is better at creating his own shot and converting baskets with multiple defenders in his face. Watch his conference finals performance against the Suns last year to witness a dazzling array of step-backs, pull-ups, and turn-arounds. As age and injuries reduce his explosiveness, he’s come to rely more and more on that deft shooting touch to get his scores.

LeBron’s jumper, on the other hand, is only slightly better than it was when he entered the league. It’s good enough that he has to be guarded fairly closely out to the three-point line, but it’s not exactly a weapon.

Edge: Kobe

Athleticism

This one’s not close, which isn’t meant as a dig on Kobe. LeBron is simply a once-in-a-lifetime athlete, built like a defensive end with the speed of a cornerback. He can alternately overpower, run past, or jump over just about any defender. In his prime, Kobe was as explosive as any wing player in the league, but these days he relies on his incredible skill set and finesse to get his points.

Edge: LeBron

Passing/Ballhandling

Like Magic Johnson 20 years ago, LeBron is a point guard in a forward’s body. With remarkable court vision and great hands, he’s capable of highlight-reel passes both in transition and in half-court sets. He’s not going to cross up too many defenders, but doesn’t really need to. His first step is so quick he’s past his man and inches from a dunk before they can even react.

Kobe, on the other hand, is a bit more of a ballhog, preferring to break down his defender and find his own shot. He handles the ball well, and can certainly pass when he needs to, but it isn’t the main focus of his game.

Edge: LeBron

Defense

As his eight first-team All-Defense selections would attest, Kobe is a ferocious on-the-ball defender capable of shutting down a team’s best wing player, even switching on to quicker point guards when need be. He’s also a willing team defender, drifting over to offer weak-side help when required.

LeBron isn’t quite the man-to-man defender Kobe is from game-to-game, but has a tendency to step up his intensity on that end in bigger games and when matched up against other star players. He has the size and athleticism to guard just about anybody, making him extremely useful in managing match-ups. His greatest strength on D is his shot-blocking, particularly his knack for flying in to block shots when his opponents are running in transition.

Edge: Kobe (though it’s getting closer)

Intangibles

Kobe isn’t exactly the most likable guy, with his habits of calling out teammates, demanding the ball, and generally acting surly on and off the court. But the fact remains that he’s as fiery a competitor as the sport has seen since Jordan, a maniacal hard worker with an undying will to win.

LeBron, on the other hand, wants to be a “Global Icon”, and seems to consider hanging with his pals at South Beach to be just as important as working on his game. Kobe seems to add a new element to his game every year; LeBron still has no post game and his jumper still kind of sucks.

Edge: Kobe

Overall

A couple of years ago, before a decade of playoff runs, grueling regular seasons, and international ball robbed him of his elite athleticism, Kobe was still the best wing player in basketball. But at this stage of his career he’s more of a crafty veteran scorer than a dominant offensive player – and he’s still prone to stopping the ball and taking questionable shots.

LeBron is the best athlete in the world and has translated that into absolute dominance at both ends of the floor, and at 26 is just entering his prime. The King has the crown.

Edge: LeBron

The NBA is often mistakenly pegged as a league where teams succeed on the strength of their stars, but making a deep playoff run usually requires surprising contributions from the guys you wouldn’t expect. The Western Conference is loaded once again this year, and even the Lakers will need a supporting player or two to step up.

Here are some of the guys most likely to step up for their respective teams in the tough Western Conference playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs: Matt Bonner, PF

The Red Rocket is a fan favorite anywhere he goes, and his ability to stretch the floor at the 4-spot – he shot almost 46% from three-point range this year – makes life much easier for guys like Tim Duncan and DeJuan Blair inside.

Los Angeles Lakers: Matt Barnes, SF

Barnes brings a lot of edge every time he hits the court, crashing the boards, going after loose balls and getting in opponents’ faces, like an NBA version of NHL pests like Sean Avery.

His hustle and defense is all the more valuable in the playoffs, and while he isn’t the greatest shooter, he is capable of hitting the odd clutch three here and there.

Dallas Mavericks: J.J. Barea, PG

One of the more annoying players in the NBA, Barea brings the Mavs plenty of energy off the bench when Jason Kidd needs a rest – which at this stage in his career, is becoming more and more frequent. Barea is the kind of player opposing fans hate – whether he’s flopping to draw an ill-timed charge or hitting a clutch three. He can piss off an arena better than a WWE villain.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Serge Ibaka, PF

Ibaka has been on a tear since Kendrick Perkins joined him in the OKC frontcourt at the trade deadline. An incredibly athletic forward who runs the floor like a gazelle, he blocks a ton of shots and allows the young Thunder to play an exciting, up-tempo style that few teams can match.

Denver Nuggets: J.R. Smith, SG

I was going to give shut-down defender Arron Afflalo this spot, but a hamstring injury has kept him out of Denver’s first two playoff games, and after seeing the Thunder run them off the floor last night, they might only get two more.

So Smith gets the nod here. An incredibly athletic two-guard with unlimited range on his jump shot, he’s as dangerous a bench scorer as there is in basketball. Unfortunately, he likes to remind fans about that unlimited range by taking a remarkable amount of terrible shots.

But when he’s good, he’s very good. If he takes – and makes – good shots, he could win a playoff game or two by himself.

Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Roy, SG

It pains me to think Brandon Roy has declined to the point where his contributions are essentially bonuses for the Blazers. He’s a 26-year-old three-time All-Star with an exceptionally well-rounded game and great leadership skills.

Unfortunately, he also has some of the worst knees in sports. He’s now a bit player for the franchise that made him a star, and could be out of the league in a couple years.

But for now, he could still offer some bench scoring and work as a distributor for the team’s second unit. If the Blazers are going to get by the Mavs, they’ll need an efficient second unit, and Roy could be its linchpin.

New Orleans Hornets: Jarrett Jack, PG

The Hornets have one of the three best point guards in the NBA in Chris Paul, but his back-up could also prove vital if the Hornets are to have a shot at upsetting the deep Lakers.

Jack isn’t the quickest point guard, but plays with a lot of physicality and isn’t afraid to take big shots. His size and strength make him a viable option at two-guard, playing alongside Paul.

Memphis Grizzlies: Shane Battier, SF

One of the smartest players in basketball, Battier is also one of the most quietly valuable players in the league. He’s an excellent man-to-man and team defender, a reliable passer, and he can consistently knock down corner threes.

And when it comes to playoff X-factors, defense and shooting are the first two things that come to mind. Battier excels in both categories.

Ever since LeBron James made his Decision to take his talents to South Beach, fans have been dreaming of Finals between the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers and the suddenly-relevant Miami Heat.

It’s understandable, given the league’s fascination with superstars. A Heat-Lakers series would feature arguably the league’s three biggest stars (James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant – though not necessarily in that order), two of the most offensively-skilled big men in the world (Pau Gasol and Chris Bosh), one of the best young centres in basketball (Andrew Bynum), and two of the most entertainingly insane people in sports (Ron Artest and Matt Barnes).

Oh, and for what it’s worth, it would also sport two tall Canadian people who probably shouldn’t be in the NBA (Jamaal Magloire and Joel Anthony).

With 14 other teams looking to spoil the hopes of millions of basketball fans – and David Stern – by making the Finals instead, let’s pretend it’s late May, everything has gone according to plan, and preview the NBA-Finals-to-end-all-NBA-Finals and see how the two teams’ starting line-ups stack up.

Point Guard: Mike Bibby (Heat) vs. Derek Fisher (Lakers)

No, it isn’t 2002. Those would actually be the starting point guards in the NBA Finals. They’re both washed up, they’re both annoying to watch, but either could end up hitting a massive fourth-quarter three at some point during the series. They’ve both done it before.

Fisher gets a slight edge at this point in their careers, if only for his (fading) ability to play aggressive defense and the respect he commands from his Laker teammates.

Advantage: Los Angeles

Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade (Heat) vs. Kobe Bryant (Lakers)

Here’s where it gets interesting. Kobe Bryant, at the peak of his powers, was the greatest two-guard since Jordan. Dwyane Wade led the Heat, almost single-handedly, to an NBA Championship in 2006. Both have seen better days – age has taken its toll on Kobe and Wade has been hobbled by a number of knee injuries. Still, when they’re on their game, they’re two of the most electrifying players in the game.

If this was 2008 or 2009, Kobe would probably be considered the better player, but it’s not. After three straight Finals appearances, the 32-year-old phenom is clearly wearing down. His “I’m-not-old-yet” performance at the All-Star Game aside, he just can’t match Wade’s explosiveness.

Advantage: Miami

Small Forward: LeBron James (Heat) vs. Ron Artest (Lakers)

LeBron James is the Most Talented Basketball Player in the World.

Ron Artest is old and says Titanic is his favorite movie.

Let’s move on.

Advantage: Miami

Power Forward: Chris Bosh (Heat) vs. Pau Gasol (Lakers)

Or as it’s better known, “The Charmin Ultra Softness Showdown.” Both Gasol and Bosh are capable of shredding slow defenders for big points, but can be easily taken advantage of on the other end of the floor.

While Bosh’s playoff numbers with Toronto don’t look terrible on paper, he struggled to adjust to the more physical style of post-season play, while Gasol has been a vital piece of two championship-winning squads.

Advantage: Los Angeles

Centre: Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Heat) vs. Andrew Bynum (Lakers)

Ilgauskas is a lumbering, flat-footed big man with a nice shooting touch about six years past his prime. If his old Cavs teammate LeBron wasn’t running the Heat, he might not even be there.

Bynum, on the other hand, is an enormously-talented young centre who is still just entering his prime. He’s been held back by knee injury after knee injury, but at times this season has looked like the Lakers’ second-best player.

Advantage: Los Angeles

Overall: Los Angeles

And that isn’t even taking into account the Lakers’ miles-better bench. As good as LeBron, Wade, and Bosh might be, three players does not an NBA Championship team make. This (imaginary) Finals would prove that.

• Boston Celtics

Boston avenged the devastating defeat they suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last June by silencing that same Staples Center crowd this past Sunday.With a dominant exhibition of teamwork that would make Russell and Havliceck proud, the Celtics took complete control of the purple and gold floor, strangling the Los Angeles Lakers down the stretch and furthering the doubt that has begun to surround their arch rivals. Captain Paul Pierce was the conduit – first laying waste to Ron Artest, the Lakers defensive stopper who had outplayed Pierce in the crucial contest last spring and who has maddened the Celtics’ forward for much of his career, then trading scores with and defending his other nemesis, Kobe Bryant down the stretch. Bryant did ring up 41 points in the game, but the Celtics prevailed behind a more balance effort. Boston’s backcourt of Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen also gave redemptive performances, dropping 16 assists and 21 points respectively. The lasting images of the game were provided by the Celtics’ power forward platoon of Kevin Garnett and Glen “Big Baby” Davis. Garnett stood unfazed as blood streamed down his forehead and face after a collision with Paul Gasol in the first half and delivered a rugged, well-rounded performance with 18 points, 15 boards, 5 assists, a steal and a block with a large bandage stuck on his skull. Davis showed why Boston is becoming favored to unseat the Lakers as the ruling family by powering through Lakers’ center Andrew Bynum, who stands 4 inches taller than Davis, for a crucial bucket in the 4^th quarter. Big Baby’s effort and drive contrasted Bynum’s apathetic defensive stance and signified a gulf in competitive desire between the two teams.

• San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs will try to solidify their league-leading 40 wins with a pair of road victories this week as they travel to the left coast to battle a competitive Portland team and the Lakers who are seven games behind San Antonio for second in the conference in the NBA standings. Coach Greg Poppovich’s squad has three potential All-Stars in Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker but it has been the contributions from supporting players that has propelled the Spurs to such a superb showing through the first half of the season. Richard Jefferson has rebounded from his horrid campaign a year ago to provide more efficient scoring from the wing, with a 10 percent increase in three point-shooting. George Hill and Gary Neal have performed admirably as the team’s sparks off the bench, with Hill acting as the top perimeter defender and Neal making a splash as a knockdown shooter. Poppovich would prefer to honor a different group of players instead of his already venerated trio of stars and his erratic perimeter core; the scrappy Spurs big men. Dejuan Blair, Matt Bonner and Antonio McDyess are Pop’s hard hat crew – players, who routinely and relentlessly do the dirty work, filling in the spaces between the franchise’s cornerstones.

• Miami Heat

The league’s preeminent villains delivered another statement road win on a showcase Sunday by stomping out Oklahoma City in the fourth quarter. With all three of the Free Masons in the lineup the Heat swatted away grumblings about their 1-8 record in close games, with veteran Eddie House netting the go-ahead three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining. The game was not simply an impressive win on a Western Conference contender’s home floor; it was the brilliant realization of Miami’s proposed team roles. Dwyane Wade led the South Beach Talents with 32 points, Chris Bosh calmly supported with 20 points and 7 rebounds and LeBron James turned in another ingenious all-around demonstration with 23 points, 13 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks while troubling the Thunder’s leading scorer Kevin Durant throughout. If the Heat can spread the wealth this effectively on the offensive end, while continuing to receive contributions from their bench shooters and big men, they could become the most frightening opponent on the NBA schedule. LeBron’s commitment to becoming a true lockdown defender and the league’s best supporting playmaker to Wade’s leading man will determine whether or not the Masons become champions.

• Los Angeles Lakers

The defending champs seem incapable of defeating the teams that are voraciously clawing for their trophy, falling to 1-5 against the league’s elite…in the regular season. Panic has become routine for the Lakeshow, who often have difficulty finding motivation during the lulling winters that follow successful championship crusades. What made Sunday’s L to Boston so disheartening was not the quieting supremacy of their historic foes, but that the Celtics won despite 41 points from Kobe Bryant, the leader, the hero. Kobe’s personal triumphs seem to come at the cost of victory now for L.A., as the team is now 0-2 when Bryant scores over 40. Down the stretch the Black Mamba took 10 straight shots, isolating himself and excommunicating his teammates, namely Pau Gasol, who took only 5 shots in the second half. Lakers fans can take solace in the fact that Coach Phil Jackson is keeping his cool and living up to his “Zenmaster” moniker. Jackson acknowledges that Bryant’s takeover tactics are ultimately ineffective against a first-rate team like the Celtics, but also understands that Kobe’s steely scoring is what makes the Lakers such an amazing team in the first place and is quick to remind those questioning the Lakers that they have in fact won the past two NBA championships.

• New Orleans Hornets

Point guard Chris Paul is making a push for the MVP trophy after having led his team to its second 10-game winning streak this season. During the second string of victories, the Hornets took down San Antonio, Orlando and Oklahoma City – three top tier opponents who legitimize the streak. Paul has been the league’s best player considering his well-rounded statistical performance and his team’s success, given his surrounding talent. Paul is averaging 16.7 points, 4 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 48% from the floor, 45% from three and %90 from the free throw line. With their fearless lead guard on the floor the Hornets have one of the league’s best crunch-time offenses and seem to click seamlessly. New Orleans has also been operating as one of the NBA’s best defensive teams, starting with Paul applying pressure at the point of attack and anchored by Emeka Okafor in the paint. Forward David West has returned to his efficient form this season with Paul setting him up and if swingman Trevor Ariza can consistently get his game on track the Hornets will be a dangerous matchup in the playoffs.