Debunking Myths About Every 2012 All-Star

One of the favorite parts of my job is dispelling myths and common misunderstandings involving an NBA team or a specific player.

It gives me the satisfaction of helping someone out, while also helping to give the one who is misunderstood a better understanding of the game. You can't blame them though as they probably get the majority of their information from hype machines that will focus on a streak of games rather than looking at the big picture.

In this particular piece, we deal with the common myths involving each and every 2012 All-Star. Each of these players has some common misunderstanding surrounding them and we are going to attempt to debunk these theories with logic, knowledge and the idea of not jumping to conclusions based on a few games.

We're going to lay these misconceptions to rest as we attempt to debunk each myth surrounding the deserving 2012 All-Stars.

Roy Hibbert

The myth

Roy Hibbert isn't good enough to become a 20-10 center

The facts

In the NBA, a quality center is as valuable as they come. So infrequently do these top tier big men who can score, rebound and play defense that organizations will tremendously overspend just to boast a 7' footer on their team in order to add some height.

That's why Kwame Brown's getting $7 million from the Golden State Warriors this season.

There aren't too many quality centers that have a consistent offensive game. You look towards Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum as the two scoring leaders for centers, but recognize that they rely mostly on their size and athleticism for their points.

Only Marc Gasol and Roy Hibbert can boast quality offensive games for centers, unless you want to include Al Horford in that discussion. While Gasol is tearing it up in Memphis, Hibbert is quietly improving year by year. His stats have gone up yearly since joining the league in 2008 and is currently averaging 13 points, ten boards and two blocks per.

Hibbert is absolutely good enough of a player to become a perennial 20 point and ten rebound guy. He's only 25 years old and has a great offensive game that's equipped with a short jumper and some solid footwork for someone of his height at 7'2".

As the years go by and if Hibbert continues to improve, he could very well be averaging 20 points and 10 boards per like his Eastern Conference rival in Howard.

Luol Deng

The myth

Luol Deng will never live up to his contract

The facts

The Chicago Bulls put Luol Deng in an awkward position with that huge contract they gave him.

Solely because Deng was never going to live up to that six year, $71 million deal the Bulls awarded him in the 2008 offseason. The Bulls organization was desperate at the time to find a star, thought they had a budding one in Deng and thus gave him far more money than he deserved.

What they didn't realize is that Deng is a swingman through and through. He's not the type of player that's going to lead elite teams to the championship and he's not going to be the player that every team fears. Deng isn't among the LeBron James or Kobe Bryant's, he's with the Joe Johnson's and Jason Terry's of the league.

The only thing Deng can do to live up to that contract is to become a reliable second option. A recurring problem in the postseason last year was Rose being forced to do everything because his teammates, including Deng, were failing to contribute at a consistent and efficient rate.

Deng only shot 43 percent from the field and 32 percent from deep in the playoffs last year. The only way he lives up to that lucrative deal is if he can consistently perform and able to be relied on come playoff time when the team truly needs a second option.

Andre Iguodala

The myth

The Philadelphia 76ers are better off if they trade Andre Iguodala

The facts

The Philadelphia 76ers have been trying for years to trade small forward Andre Iguodala. Why? Because they haven't been using him right.

Iguodala isn't a scorer. Plain and simple. You'll get 15 points per night from him, but he's not going to be the player that's hitting all the big shots down the stretch and willing your team to victory. Iguodala's purpose on the court should be to hit the occasional shot, finish huge on fastbreaks and play the terrific defense he's been playing his entire career.

Iguodala hasn't averaged better than 20 points per game in his career. That's probably because he's not much of a driver and has an inconsistent jump shot. As I said before, Iguodala is going to occasionally hit shots and will play stellar defense on the oppositions top scoring threat if they're a guard or small forward.

Doug Collins was the first Sixers coach to figure it out. He's utilizing Iguodala as a lockdown defender and occasional scorer, rather than past coaches who attempt to force the issue by utilizing Andre as a primary scoring option.

With balance and defense being heavily used by Collins, the Sixers haven't seen this much success since the prime days of Allen Iverson.

Paul Pierce

The myth

Paul Pierce is no longer capable of leading the Boston Celtics to a championship

The facts

The Boston Celtics are old. Very, very old. That three-man core that brought the franchise a championship in 2008 is quickly showcasing their age as the years pass and their health deteriorates. Only Ray Allen has yet to deal with any sort of injury and it's mostly because he's the least aggressive player on the floor.

With Allen at 36, Kevin Garnett at 35 and Paul Pierce at 34, it seems highly incapable that this Celtics team is going to be making a title run anytime soon. Even with an elite point guard in Rajon Rondo, many will argue that the Celtics are finished, especially after their ugly five game defeat at the hands of the Miami Heat in last year's playoff.

However, Paul Pierce isn't ready to give up on those dreams of a second title yet. In fact, he's playing some of the best basketball we've seen him play since this core was created which is why you find him in the All-Star game ahead of guys like Allen, Garnett and Rondo.

While Pierce's stats have been down this year, he's had flashes of brilliance in several games. He went for 34 points, ten assists and six boards in a win against Washington and then went for 24 points, assists and eight boards in a win over Orlando. The very next night he had 28 points, ten boards and eight assists in a win over Indiana.

Don't doubt wily veterans. Players like Pierce know how to win games and they know how to take advantage of a team that might be looking at the Celtics a little less weary than they did in years past.

Joe Johnson

The myth

Joe Johnson can't lead the Atlanta Hawks past the second round

The facts

I was originally going to put that he would never live up to that $120 million contract, but then I realized that he never will so it's actually a fact.

Instead, we'll challenge the myth of the Atlanta Hawks not making it past the second round. The team has made it to the semifinals for the past three seasons and has a combined record of 2-12 in those three series. They won two games against Chicago last season and was swept by Orlando and Cleveland in the two years prior.

The Hawks have been good and that's where there exact problem lies, they're just good. A good team that finishes above .500 every year. A good team that will obtain a fourth seed, do just enough to beat their first round opponent before succumbing in the second round.

It's been like this for three seasons in Atlanta. 47-35 one year, 53-29 another and 44-38 the next. Their current seeding if the season was to end today? Sixth place.

The Eastern Conference is wide open this year and there's been a reservation in the Conference Finals since the start of the season. The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are the clear favorites, but Atlanta could easily be one of the more dangerous teams to play if Joe Johnson's feeling it from the perimeter, Josh Smith is driving and not relying on jumpers and Al Horford is healthy.

It's going to be up to Johnson if the Hawks want to pull off a stunning upset and make it to the Conference Finals for the first time in two decades. He'll have to shoot over 40 percent from deep and average at least 20 points per game.

Or he could not and continue wallowing in the money that he's robbing from the Hawks organization.

Marc Gasol

The myth

Marc Gasol will always be inferior to his older brother, Pau

The facts

Four years ago on February 1, 2008, the Los Angeles Lakers made one of the most significant trades of the decade by obtaining Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, a 2008 first round pick, a 2010 first round pick and little known Spanish import Marc Gasol.

It was considered one of the most lopsided trades of all time as Gasol would aid the Lakers to two consecutive titles while the Grizzlies would wallow in mediocrity. Brown and Crittenton were busts and those two picks (Greivis Vasquez and Donte Greene) weren't worth much. The Grizzlies were left with Gasol and not much else.

It's now been a little over four years since that trade was completed and my have the times changed. The Lakers are still an extremely dangerous team to face off against, but the Grizzlies have emerged as a postseason threat with none other than Marc Gasol leading the way.

Gasol had a solid first three years with the Grizzlies, but it was his performance in the 2011 postseason where he finally began to get some attention around the league. The 7' big man had post moves, a consistent jump shot, great shot blocking awareness and the size to dominate on the boards and defense.

Marc averaged 15 points, 11 boards and two blocks per in the postseason last year. He's currently averaging 15 points, ten boards and two blocks per. It will be the first time in his four year career that he's averaged a double-double in a season if he can keep it up.

So much for being the other Gasol. Marc just made the All-Star team over his brother, who is having a down season in Los Angeles. I still believe that Pau is the superior brother, but it's only going to be another year or two before Marc becomes the better player.

Tony Parker

The myth

Tony Parker won't be able to support the San Antonio Spurs for too much longer

The facts

The Boston Celtics are an old team. The San Antonio Spurs aren't as old, but they've dealt with enough injuries to make themselves have the illusion of being older.

Manu Ginobili has dealt with injuries all year and will be out another two weeks and Tim Duncan has no knees left. Somehow someway, this Spurs team has won ten games in a row thanks in part to coach Gregg Poppovich's sideline leadership, the stepping up of role players in Danny Green and Gary Neal and the floor leadership of Tony Parker.

You remember Tony Parker, don't you? The 2007 Finals MVP who can score in the paint as well as any center or power forward? Surely you do. You probably haven't heard of him lately either because of the "Linsanity", Dwight Howard trade rumors or the Miami Heat's recent win streak.

You don't hear about the Spurs because we're too used to them winning. They've been reeling off 50 win seasons for over a decade and they would do it again this year if there was 82 games this year. Instead, they'll deal with fighting for the first seed with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks.

The Spurs go as far as Tony Parker takes them, which is going to be far. He's quietly having one of the best years of his career averaging 19 points and eight assists per, and has scored as much as 42 points which came in a win against Oklahoma City. Parker also had a 37, 34 and 30 point games, all in the month of February.

San Antonio isn't going away and they'll still be in the mix contending for a championship as long as Parker maintains his health.

Chris Bosh

The myth

The Miami Heat have a "big two"

The facts

Probably the most absurd myth on this list, considering Chris Bosh as a player on his own and segregating him from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in terms of talent and his role on the team is as insane as it sounds.

Having LeBron James and Dwyane Wade play compatible on the same team isn't as easy as it sounds. These are two players that heavily rely on their ability to drive as they cannot boast consistent jump shots along the perimeter. In order for those two to consistently drive, they need another player in the lineup to help stretch the floor.

This is where Chris Bosh steps in. He's one of the league's top mid-range shooters and defenders will always be wary of when Bosh gets the ball in the 15 to 20 foot range because of how dangerous he can be when he gets into a rhythm.

Bosh is averaging 18 points and eight rebounds per as a third option. There is no other third scoring option in the league that is coming close to averaging that. Only Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers comes close and he's averaging two points less.

Chris may not always be scoring as much as LeBron and Dwyane and he won't be getting the ball as much as them, but he plays one of the most significant roles on this team as a reliable scorer who can help to stretch the floor.

Andrew Bynum

The myth

Andrew Bynum will never live up to expectations

The facts

For the first six years of his career, we were convinced that the Los Angeles Lakers organization was insane to hold on to Andrew Bynum.

He was injury prone, immature and didn't appear to have a solid grasp of the game. He played in 60 or more games only twice and in less than 40 games twice as well. Bynum couldn't stay on the court without hurting himself and it carried on to the next seasons as seen last year when he still dealing with an ailment he suffered the year prior.

This year is the first year that Bynum has been healthy since the 2006-'07 season and it shows. Bynum has played in every game, except the first four due to a suspension, and is averaging 16 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks per.

Viewing him healthy for the first time in five years, we've begun to see just how dominant of a player Bynum can be. While he still needs to improve a few key aspects of his game, it's huge to the Lakers that Bynum is stepping it up in the year where the team is shorthanded with the loss of Lamar Odom to Dallas.

At only 24 years old, Bynum still has plenty of time to live up to those lofty expectations the Lakers have had for him since drafting him out of high school in 2005.

Steve Nash

The myth

Steve Nash does not enjoy being in Phoenix

The facts

While 99 percent of the world wouldn't enjoy playing for the Phoenix Suns right now, Steve Nash seems to be in the one percent that does.

Maybe we should protest?

This whole Jeremy Lin thing is fun, but Steve Nash is doing exactly what he's doing but a whole more efficient and at the age of 38. You might think that Nash has the benefit of playing point guard and is able to play at this high of a level thanks to his position, but go take a quick look at Jason Kidd and see how much age plays a factor.

Nash is ageless. He's averaging 14 points on 54 percent shooting and hitting 41 percent of his three-pointers, and is currently leading the league in assists per at 11. If he finishes the year leading in assists per, it'll be the second time that he's led the NBA in that category for three consecutive seasons. He's already won that crown five of the past six years.

Nash would be a starter on nearly any NBA team right now, especially elite teams that would love to have a facilitator like him. However, Nash doesn't seem to want to leave and has shot down trade rumors on a number of occasions.

The Phoenix Suns organization even granted Nash the right to ask for a trade and have yet to hear anything from the two-time MVP.

Deron Williams

The myth

Deron Williams is no longer arguably the best point guard in the NBA

The facts

Don't hate the player, hate the game.

Seriously, hate the game because it's not fair for Deron Williams to be holed up on a team as bad as the New Jersey Nets. The team is 9-24 and the only reason they have nine wins is solely because of Williams.

It was unfortunate for Williams to be on the Nets, but it only got worse when Brook Lopez was lost for the first half of the season due to a foot injury he suffered in the preseason. The Nets have been utilizing players like rookie MarShon Brooks and Kris Humphries as the number two scoring option. Obviously that's a problem.

You might not be able to tell by the record, but Williams is still one of the league's top point guard and is arguably the best floor general in the league. He's averaging a career high 22 points on 41 percent shooting, converting two three-pointers per at a 35 percent clip, dishing out eight assists and grabbing three boards per.

Don't believe me when I say Williams has it bad? Here's as clear evidence as you'll see in New Jersey.

Dirk Nowitzki

The myth

Dirk Nowitzki has lost his shooting touch

The facts

Should we chalk this one up to a championship or lockout hangover? Either one would be a solid excuse to make for Dirk Nowitzki's poor start to the 2011-'12 season.

Only a few months after leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first ever NBA title and winning his first ever Finals MVP, Nowitzki is struggling to maintain his career averages. The usually consistent shooter is currently averaging a lowly 19 points on 46 percent shooting to go along with a dismal 28 percent from deep and only six boards per.

Dirk hasn't averaged this low of numbers since 2000, his second year in the league. This coming from a player who just averaged 23 points per on 52 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from beyond the arc in the regular season and 27 points on 49 percent shooting from deep. He also happened to shoot 46 percent from deep, a key number in the Mavericks championship run.

If you think Nowitzki is done, start watching another sport because you're not even in the ballpark. The only player capable of stopping Dirk is Dirk himself. Every shooter goes through slumps and Nowitzki happens to be going through one after a lengthy offseason where he probably took a break after just leading his team to a championship.

He deserves to struggle at least one in his career. Let it be now and not when these games actually start to count.

Blake Griffin

The myth

Blake Griffin's overrated and is nothing more than a power player who gets inside position

The facts

We say he's nothing more than a glorified dunker who only has athleticism to his advantage.

I find that hard to believe. I mean you can dunk a whole lot, but is Blake Griffin dunking enough to average 21 points, 11 boards and three assists per? It doesn't seem possible that Griffin is just dunking the ball on every single possession and is doing nothing more than waiting near the post to receive the post in order to get on the highlight reel again.

Don't put this on Chris Paul's arrival either. Griffin was averaging 23 points per last season with Baron Davis and Mo Williams as the starting point guards for the Los Angeles Clippers. Clearly, this Griffin character is doing something right.

We will say that Griffin's jump shot is seriously lacking. He's extremely hesitant on his jumpers and never catches the ball in a rhythm. Once he receives the ball, he'll either look to drive or hesitate for a few seconds and then take the jump shot. It doesn't matter what type of shooter you are, a player needs to get into a rhythm in order to shoot.

Griffin isn't a spot-up shooter. He needs to be emitting confidence on his jump shots, just like when he's emitting confidence when he's going up for a dunk from 10 feet away.

Blake still has a lot of work to do, but he's still an excellent post player who is beginning to develop a jumper that will be worth recognizing in the near future.

Russell Westbrook

The myth

Russell Westbrook cannot coexist with Kevin Durant

The facts

If you stayed up late enough on February 19, 2010, then you were lucky enough to view one of the greatest scoring tandems in league history go off for a ridiculous amount of points.

It's games like this that make me wonder how we ever thought Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant couldn't coexist. Against the Denver Nuggets, these two combined for an unheard of 91 points with Durant dropping an NBA season high 51 and Westbrook dropping in a solid 40. Couple that with a Serge Ibaka triple-double and you have one of the greatest efforts by a trio this year.

We have heard multiple reports of these two getting into verbal spats in last year's postseason and earlier this year. It's understandable to see that these two have a rift when you consider how young they are, but if there's anything that's going to bring two superstars together it's success.

Success never leads to fighting. If your team is winning, then that means they're happy. Well unless they're Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, but that's a completely different story. As long as Westbrook and Durant continue to have success, there will be no problems between these two. Since we don't expect the Oklahoma City Thunder to struggle anytime soon, there shouldn't be too many struggles.

However, Westbrook will have to realize that this is Durant's team come playoff time. Russell made the mistake of taking far too many shots in the playoffs last year and it contributed to the teams eventual downfall. He'll have to clear the way for Durant come postseason time if they want to make a significant playoff push.

LaMarcus Aldridge

The myth

LaMarcus Aldridge isn't capable of leading the Portland Trail Blazers like Brandon Roy

The facts

I hate to start this slide off on a bad note, but Greg Oden is reportedly getting set to go under yet another knee surgery.  

With that in mind, let's get started on talking about the unluckiest NBA franchise in the Portland Trail Blazers. They made the mistake of drafting Sam Bowie ahead of Michael Jordan nearly 30 years ago and it appears they might have made the same miscue again by selecting Greg Oden over Kevin Durant. To be fair, it's tough to blame the Blazers for picking a big man. Players like Oden are a dime a dozen when healthy.

Back to the matter at hand though. This Blazers team appeared to be dead in the water two years ago when Brandon Roy started to deal with nagging injuries that would lead to his eventual retirement. Looking for a hero, the Blazers turned towards second scoring option LaMarcus Aldridge to begin leading the way.

Not much was expected, but Aldridge exceeded expectations and led the Blazers into the playoffs. They'd bow out in six games, but it was enough to have the Blazers organization ecstatic over the fact that they had a backup plan who was ready to fill in as a floor leader.

Aldridge is currently a career high 23 points on 51 percent shooting to along with eight boards per. He's got the Blazers at a modest 17-15 and holding onto an eighth seed. The Blazers could use a slasher and a quality second scoring option, but they'll be able to survive with Aldridge leading the way.

Carmelo Anthony

The myth

Carmelo Anthony is incapable of being a good teammate and won't coexist with Jeremy Lin

The facts

When was the last time a fanbase was dreading the return of a player who once averaged 29 points per game?

Well, that would actually be Gilbert Arenas, but think about the last time a player who averaged 29 points per game and wasn't insane being unwanted by his fans? That happens to be the case with Carmelo Anthony whose return to the New York Knicks is leaving Knicks fans a little bit wary of pairing him up with Jeremy Lin.

Lin has been doing a stellar job at getting the fanbase riled up and giving the Knicks something to look forward to, but some are still questioning on whether or not Anthony can coexist with him. 'Melo had trouble playing with Amar'e Stoudemire to start the season and it leads many to believe that it'll be the same story with Lin now being added.

However, we've seen Anthony play with a quality point guard and make it work. Don't forget that Anthony had a great deal of success when paired up with Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups and even made it as far as game six of the Western Conference Finals when he was paired up with Billups in Denver.

The only way this works is if Anthony changes up his game. He can't be selfish and he's going to have to learn to play off of Lin. The Harvard graduate is riding a confident streak and you want to keep him playing at this level, which means Anthony can't be dominating the ball and taking the same shots he was taking before.

It's tough to say that he will. Especially when his team is down by 16 points to the New Jersey Nets as I write this.

Kevin Love

The myth

Kevin Love isn't the best power forward in the NBA

The facts

No, seriously, there are actually many people out there who are firm believers that Kevin Love isn't the best power forward in the league.

What kind of argument can you make against him? He has the Minnesota Timberwolves at .500, is averaging 26 points on 46 percent shooting, converting two three-pointers per on 36 percent shooting and grabbing 14 boards per. Love does everything, and so much more, you could ask from your power forward and it shows in the Timberwolves possibly being playoff bound in a few months.

What makes Love such a great rebounder isn't just his keen awareness of where the ball bounces off the rim when judging where it's shot, but also by the way he utilizes his body. Much like Zach Randolph, Love has a wide frame that he uses to push off of opposing rebounders without having to use his arms. Kevin isn't athletic, but he's got the body and knows how to use it when it comes to grabbing rebounds.

As for his scoring? Love has broadened his horizons. He's no longer restricted to scoring on short put-backs as he's also proven to be quite the consistent mid-range and perimeter shooter. His jump shot has greatly improved and he's even shooting well from beyond the arc once again after converting on 42 percent of his three-pointers last year.

Power forwards are utilized to grab rebounds, stretch the floor with the mid-range jumper and score inside. Love does it all to perfection.

Chris Paul

The myth

Nagging injuries are going to derail Chris Paul's career

The facts

When any player is dealing with nagging injuries, the first thing I think of is for them to please not end up like Brandon Roy.

While Chris Paul's injuries aren't nearly as serious, his constant knee troubles are a concern and they have carried on since he got hurt in the 2009-'10 season. He only played 45 games that year and it continued on to the next season when he averaged a career low 16 points per on 46 percent shooting. It wasn't until the playoffs that CP3 finally got into his usual form.

It's a scary thing to think of Paul constantly dealing with knee injuries that have carried a significant impact on the wrong spectrum. It took 80 games in the 2010-'11 season just for him to get going and he's even dealt with injuries in his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. He's only played in 24 of the Clippers 29 games this seasons.

I wouldn't expect these injuries to have too much of a concern. Knee injuries aren't as significant to a point guard as they would be to a center. At 6', Paul would be able to maintain the nagging knee injuries for the rest of his career if he can stay conditioned, continuing with rehabilitation and not putting too much stress on it.

If Steve Nash is able to play basketball 40 minutes per night even though he spends his time on the bench laying down due to back problems, then Paul should be able to deal with these knee injuries that have been affecting him for the past three seasons.

Dwyane Wade

The myth

Dwyane Wade's durability won't allow him to continue playing his usual style of offense

The facts

Contrary to popular belief, Dwyane Wade hasn't dealt with many injury concerns over the past few years. After back-to-back seasons of playing in only 51 games, Wade has maintained a great deal of health over the past three seasons and has played in at least 76 games in each of those seasons. Shoulder and knee surgeries completely threw Wade's career for a loop after he won the 2006 championship.

Since the conclusion of the 2007-'08 season, Wade has done an extensive amount of work with trainer Tim Grover in order to maintain his health. Wade excelled in the 2008 Olympics and had an MVP worthy season in the 2008-'09 season when he led the league in scoring at 30 points per. He was still playing with reckless abandon, but Wade was durable and wasn't getting hurt.

This streak of Wade being healthy came to an immediate end this season as he hurt his foot in the third game of the season. He would sit out the next few games before returning and badly spraining his ankle in a game against Denver. Wade would miss a few more games totaling his season total to nine missed games.

The Heat didn't appear to miss him as they lost one game in that stretch.

Seeing Wade injured was a huge concern to the Heat and brought back awful flashback's of Wade constantly dealing with injuries between 2006 and 2008. Even though Wade lowered his body fat over the offseason and became leaner, stronger and more athletic than ever, injuries still reared its ugly head towards Wade.

However, with LeBron James and Chris Bosh by his side and Mike Miller, Mario Chalmers and Shane Battier hitting their perimeter shots, Wade is finding it easier and easier to score near the rim. There's more room on the floor for Wade to move and he's seeing less traffic on his way to the hoop compared to years prior when he was a one-man wrecking crew.

Dwight Howard

The myth

Dwight Howard is mailing it in this year

The facts

We've seen it before. A star player is unhappy with where he is, demands a trade and then plays with little effort and energy until he's on a new team.

This is being argued in the case of Dwight Howard. He's been adamant about making a trade since the lockout ended and many believe that Howard has actually given up on the Orlando Magic. To be perfectly honest, it does seem that Howard gets frustrated far too easy when things aren't going his way and he will disappear.

It's tough to blame him. I'd be plenty peeved if I was the most dominant big man in the league and my team was busy taking 30 three-pointers per game while I was getting ten shots per. It's easy for an elite player to grow displeased with his organization when things aren't going his way and he's not getting the ball.

However, this is not the case at all when speaking of Howard. In fact, the 2011-'12 season may just be the best of his career. He's averaging 20 points, a league high 15 rebounds and two blocks per thus far and already has seven games of recording at least 20 points and 20 rebounds.

He also set the record for most free throw attempts in a game with 39 when he scored 45 points in a win against the Golden State Warriors. He also happened to record 23 boards in the same game, which is two off his season high of 25 which he posted up in a loss to San Antonio.

See, Howard isn't mailing it in. He's just really, really depressed that he's on a team that would rather jack up more three-pointers than a rec team instead of feeding it into the post.

Derrick Rose

The myth

Derrick Rose doesn't attempt to involve his teammates as much as other point guards

The facts

Derrick Rose has had a rough year dealing with injuries, but it hasn't affected the Chicago Bulls all that much as the team is second in the Eastern Conference with a 25-8 record.

They're still one of the top defensive teams in the league and Rose is still one of the most prolific, exciting and dynamic players to watch. He's not having as quality a season as he did last year as nagging back spasms have forced Rose to sit out the majority of the past three weeks.

With every elite player, there's a need to find some sort of weakness towards their. We recently discovered that coming up in the clutch could be a problem, crucial missed free throws against the Miami Heat, but also the idea that Rose doesn't do enough to involve his teammates. It's argued on whether or not Rose is a true point guard and becomes too dependent on his own scoring, rather than his passing.

Rose has averaged eight assists per the past two years, but it is prominent to see him attempt to take over on his own late in a tight game. We understand that he's the best player on the best team and should be taking those shots at those junctures, but he'll force the issue way too much rather than looking for an open scorer.

Perhaps we're judging him a little too much. After all, Rose is only 23 years old even though he plays with the mindset of a 28 year old. He's got plenty of years to improve and there's no doubt we will see him continue to improve, which will include him involving his teammates more frequently when all the attention is being focused on him.

Kobe Bryant

The myth

Kobe Bryant isn't capable of continuing this stretch of offensive dominance for the rest of the season

The facts

I've learned many things watching the NBA. I've learned that a game is never over until it's over, a great defensive team will always be a great offensive team and never to doubt Kobe Bryant.

Never, and I mean never, doubt Kobe Bryant. The second you begin to doubt Bryant he does something to make you feel really foolish about that claim. Just like prior to the start of the season when Kobe suffered that torn wrist ligament, we immediately jumped to the conclusion that he wasn't going to be the same, his career was in its twilight and the Clippers were going to take over Los Angeles.

So much for that theory. Kobe is leading the league in scoring at 29 points per game on 44 percent shooting and has scored as much as 48 points, which came in a win against the Phoenix Suns. Without Lamar Odom, Bryant has felt the urgency to step his game up as he has done so many times before when his team needed his help.

Despite being 33 years old, having played over 50,000 minutes in his NBA career and playing with a bum finger and a torn wrist ligament, Bryant is playing 38 minutes per game which is the most he's played since 2008. He was only playing 34 minutes per last year after the Lakers decided to begin resting him for the postseason.

That's not the case this year. The Lakers need as much scoring as they can get and Bryant leading the charge is going to be the only way that happens unless Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol become 20-10 players.

We think this is hurting Kobe, but he loves being in this situation. He loves being the center of attention and embraces scoring in a high volume. While the Lakers have been struggling a little this year, it's not until the playoffs when we begin to see the real Kobe Bryant.

Kevin Durant

The myth

Kevin Durant's lack of strength will prohibit him from driving frequently

The facts

It's tough to make any sort of criticism after what Kevin Durant did against Denver the other night, but if we have to point out one criticism it's his decision making on the offensive end.

Durant knows he's a great shooter and that's where the problem lies. One of the league's top pure scorers, arguably the best, and a certain MVP candidate becomes far too reliant on his jump shot at times. It's easy to understand why since it's much easier to settle on, but Durant will fall too much in love his shot when playing against a physical opponent.

Kevin has always been a lanky player, but he's also been explosive. He's thrown down his fair share of tremendous dunks and has no problem using those lanky arms of his to get up and over his defender. However, if the paint is packed with physical players or if his defender is playing physical defense, Durant will rely heavily on that jump shot and it will hurt the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Like many other players in the NBA, however, Durant improved the weaker aspects of his game. Over the offseason, Durant took the extra time to add some much needed bulk in order to play stronger and to drive more frequently as a result. The former player who couldn't bench press 185 pounds once at the draft combine now has some muscle to him and it's made him and the Thunder much better.

Durant is currently averaging 28 points on 52 percent shooting, hitting 36 percent of his three-pointers, grabbing eight boards and three assists per. The field goal percentage, rebounding and assists per are all career highs.

LeBron James

The myth

LeBron James can't perform well in the clutch

The facts

I've heard some pretty insane things in my life, but saying LeBron James isn't clutch is one of the most far-fetched things I've ever heard.

You've got to be pretty silly to believe that James isn't a clutch player when he's actually displayed some of the greatest late-game performances in recent history. 'The Decision' must have made us forget James scoring 29 of his teams last 30 points in a crucial playoff game against Detroit in 2008, his unbelievable game winner against Orlando in the playoffs and the entire Eastern Conference playoffs.

You remember those Eastern Conference playoffs right? It was the same one where he defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls in a combined 15 games. The Bulls had been the league's top team record wise and was arguably the top defensive team in the NBA. James extinguished that idea with a tremendous showing in last year's Conference Finals.

However, it is easy to see that James does falters in late-game situations at times. His decision making at times is absolutely baffling, as seen in the Heat's early season win against Minnesota when he threw a full court pass to Udonis Haslem despite his team holding a lead with 20 seconds left and their win against Chicago when James made a few questionable decisions that nearly gave the game away to the Bulls.

Still, the LeBron James from this year appears to be as confident as ever. He's come up in the clutch a few times, made six consecutive free throws in the final seconds in a win against Detroit and made the inbound alley-oop pass to Dwyane Wade for the game winner against Minnesota, and has greatly refined his game.

For example, one of James' biggest weaknesses that was exploited in the Finals last year was his inability to post up. The Mavericks constantly forced James to post up whenever he got near the rim and he failed to perform well because of his inability to play with his back to the basket.

One of James weakest points just became one of his strongest, so there goes that. With LeBron now more well-rounded than ever before, it's going to become even more difficult to stop him, especially in late-game situations when he's confident playing in that style.