NBA Season in Review: The Best and Worst Stories of the Year

One thing we know entering the beginning stages of what's sure to be an entertaining extension of the regular season is that LeBron James is your MVP.

Anyone who disputes that and actually means it should stop writing about sports. Maybe they have a career as a bad lawyer who tries to get people millions for spilling hot coffee on themselves at a restaurant. (Wait? That actually happened ?).

We have witnessed a season from King James that hasn't been seen in quite some time. While his numbers aren't dramatically different from last season, the way he owned the league was just plain ridiculous.

Bron simply shredded any defense that opposed him every night he stepped on the floor, and did it with an abundance of shots that sometimes looked like bets he made with friends before the game.

I can hear Bron and Jay-Z now before a big game.

Jay-Z- "I bet you can't crossover, spin into the post, back in, spin again and fade-away all in one motion and make it." (Actually demonstrating it as he talks).

LeBron- "What do I get if I do?"

Jay-Z- "Well, I can put in a word and a few dollars toward you getting a player like, say, Antawn Jamison."

LeBron- "Bet."

We see how that one worked out.

Seriously, can Bron get any better. If so, we need to be very scared. Well, at least opposing NBA players do.

His numbers from this season are beyond MVP worthy. Remember, Bron is a physical freak at 6-foot-9 and 260 pounds (I believe he's more).

29.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 8.6 APG, 1.01 BPG, 50% FG, 33% 3-PT FG, 1.64 SPG, 77% FT

So let's get this right. 30 points per game, over seven rebounds per game, nearly nine assists per game and 50 percent from the field.

Not to mention, he dominated every game this season that he played in, and up until his rest to finish the season he'd taken a beating and dished out even more.

Despite that, media critics still found it necessary to criticize Bron for resting a few games. Really?

You draw the toughest assignment every night, wear a bulls-eye on your back and get slapped, elbowed, pushed and hassled every move you make and see won't you need a rest after all has been clinched for your team.

That's a travesty.

LeBron's historical MVP season is the most obvious, least suspenseful MVP race in at least a decade. Tell me something I don't know.

Like Audrina Patridge and Kristin Cavallari actually contriving their supposed dislike for each other on-camera for ratings, but hanging out exchanging fancies off of it.

Oh, that was just as obvious.

Bron was the best story of the season and easiest to choose, but what were the other best stories of the league this season?

The Best

- The Charlotte Bobcats Making the Playoffs

This team has been on the cusp of a playoff berth for a couple of years, and this season proved to be the year they got it done as the Bobcats made the playoffs for the first time.

The acquisition of Stephen Jackson from Golden State has given the Bobcats more offensive firepower and toughness, and the team's cohesiveness as a unit added needed chemistry.

Nobody will say that Jackson is the role-model that keeps a team glued together, but he has matured and meshed well with veteran Gerald Wallace.

Role-players like D.J Augustin, Larry Hughes and Tyson Chandler have played well within their roles and Raymond Felton has emerged into a solid PG.

Too bad they drew Orlando in the first round. They would've had a better chance against the LeBron-aliers.

- The Phoenix Suns

This team wasn't expected to contend, but after nearly falling apart near the trade deadline the old veteran decided to pull one last trick from his hat.

Steve Nash had another amazing year despite being at the ripe age of 36, and Phoenix made the smartest decision they have in a long time by keeping Amare Stoudemire.

Those two tore through the Western conference on their way to a three-seed, something reserved for either the Utah Jazz or Denver Nuggets.

With help from the likes of Robin Lopez, Grant Hill, Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley and an emerging backup Goran Dragic the Suns surprised everyone.

Unfortunately they drew a talented Portland team in the first round. Can they survive?

- Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder

Durant has been out of control, and I mean that in the most positive way possible. In combination with Russell Westbrook, the young Thunder struck the NBA this season.

Durant's making every defender bring Motrin out to the floor before the game with his uncanny ability to put the ball through the net.

His stat-line for 2009-2010 looks like something from an old version of NBA Live when you could score with the best players when you wanted to.

30.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 48 percent FG, 37% 3 PT. FG, 90 percent FT, 75 out of 82 games scored 25 points or more.

No. None of that is a typo. Durant scored 25 or more in 75 of 82 games. I had to say that again. I don't know if any descriptive words can do any justice for that.

It's overwhelming. It's like when the Lion King movie came out, you just knew it would be one of the best movies ever.

There is absolutely no debating this. Durant is un-debatable. Right now, he's the most prolific scorer over 6-foot-9 since, um, well LeBron James. Too bad he has the defending champs in the first round.

The Bad

-Hedo Turkoglu

Man, why did Hedo leave a perennial 55-60 win playoff team to go to another country and a struggling 35-40 win team whose All-Star is undoubtedly bolting for better pastures?

To make matters worse, his center (Andrea Bargnani) has a girl's name and is a taller prototype of him, his PG (Jose Calderon) has a 10-6-2 ceiling, his SF and SG have a combined five years experience and as mentioned Chris Bosh is out like Winter in June.

All of that can make any player look over the hill.

Well, it doesn't help when you have received way more money than you're worth, don't have Dwight Howard to protect your defensive heiny and the likes of Rashard Lewis, Mickael Pietrus or J.J Redick to spread the floor.

Welcome to the 2009-2010 LVP (Least Valuable Player) Hedo. You are now in the ranks of Stephon Marbury and Jamaal Tinsley. Wow.

- The L.A Clippers. Again.

Clippers fans have to be the most drug-in-the-mud, pissed off, broken television and torn season ticket holders in the history of sports.

Is there a stat for most projectiles thrown at the television in disgust? If so, the Clippers will win something.

You have to feel for Baron Davis.

He signed with the Clips hoping Elton Brand would follow, only to figure out the code of bucks-over-bromance as Brand followed the money, even though he wouldn't have helped Davis anyway cause his career is all but over.

Man, what a life. At least the black hole of basketball overpaid Baron. And there's lots of pretty women. Hey, it isn't all bad in L.A for anyone without Lakers across their chest.

- Rasheed Wallace.

Oh boy. What can I say? Just read Celtics fan ESPN's Bill Simmons column and call me in the morning.

We have been fortunate enough to witness greatness in the NBA post the Jordan Era and now know we have lots to be excited about.

All we need now is that L.A Lakers-Cleveland Cavs match-up while Kobe still has his legs under him.

Beggars can't be choosers.