Bleacher Report - Articles by David Wang

21st Century: The Age of Athletic Legends

David Wang — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:42:44 -0400

Ever since sports were invented, great athletes have come and gone.

Some left their marks on the grandest stages, some left their marks on paper. But one thing is sure: we have truly seen some fantastic athletes over the years.

In this 21st century, however, we have been given opportunity to witness some tremendous athletes and competitions from all kinds of sports. Records have been broken, and championships have been won.

But what is truly amazing is the fact that there are several athletes in this world who have the capability of doing both. Consistently.

Who would have thought, 100 years ago, that a lanky 6-foot-5 sprinter would crack that 9.60-second barrier in 100-meter sprint? Who would have even considered the fact that one person could achieve eight gold medals and break all the records along the way in one Olympics?

No I'm not just talking about Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps.

Take a look at the other sports!

We saw Roger Federer recently beat out tennis legend Pete Sampras to become the record holder for most Grand Slam titles.

We saw Kobe Bryant lead what was once thought a depleted Los Angeles Lakers team all the way to the NBA championship and the Redeem Team to the gold medal in Olympics.

We saw Tiger Woods successfully come back from his injuries to dominate the PGA Championship once again.

These athletes are not just merely champions. They are involved in discussions, if not already decided, in regards to their place in history.

Some of them are already considered legends or the best athlete in this sport ever before they even retired, like Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Roger Federer and even Barry Bonds (as the leader in home runs in history).

Other athletes are considered to be one of the legends in the game once his career is over, like Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and David Beckham.

As I do not follow American football, hockey and NASCAR very closely, I am not familiar with the players and the legends.

However, I do know players like Michael Vick and Pavel Datsyuk to be extraordinary athletes in their own right, possessing skills and abilities that leaves the audience in oooohs and ahhs.

The question is then, how did the world of sports climb to such an extraordinary level these couple of years? The answer, on the other hand, does not lie in the modern world, but in the years before.

As mentioned, great athletes have come and go, but as they leave their competitions, they passed the torches to the next generation, as Magic Johnson puts it (NBA Hall of Famer).

Each generation watches and learns from those before them, and sees what is good and what is not. As they join the sport, they already possess the basic knowledge of how to play the sport efficiently.

Take basketball, for example. Basketball did not use to be very popular, but as the NBA expanded and the Dream Team showcased the art of basketball in Barcelona Olympics in 1992, the media began spreading the sport like wildfire.

As people watch their favorite players play on TV, they learn and imitate on the court. People began playing and learning from the stars on the streets, which gave birth to current superstars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

Similarly in swimming, Michael Phelps had the privilege of watching and learning swimmers like Ian Thorpe, analyzing their each swim.

So when he gets in the pool, he knows to take a breath every three to four strokes in freestyle than to take a breath every singe stroke.

All of this would not have been possible without the media. Yet it cannot be denied that this century has produced some of the best athletes in a variety of sports ever.

I do hope that these athletes could pass on their torches to the next generation, so that we can be given the opportunity to witness more spectacular sporting moments.

To witness what men can really do.

NBA Style - 10 Players You Don't Want to Play Horse Against

David Wang — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 02:27:36 -0400

The NBA has too many world class basketball players to tell specifically who's better than who. But in games, we have seen some players consistently hit shots that other players rarely make, or even attempt. The following list presents 10 players (in no order) that you don't want to play horse against, because you know they will pull out some trick shots or two that you know you probably won't make in 10 attempts. (No dunks allowed)

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NBA Style - Top 10 Ferocious Dunkers

David Wang — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:04:05 -0400

As dunks have become more and more fashionable, different players have interpreted the art of dunking differently. Some like to dunk one-handed, some likes to dunk two-handed. Some will never dare try anything more than a windmill, some will try things never done before. Some likes standing dunk, some likes a dunk after a run. Here now, is a list of the top 10 ferocious dunkers in the NBA, who attempts to rip the rim off every time they go to the hole. Every time.

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Cleveland Cavaliers: Defining The Art Of Basketball

David Wang — Sat, 09 May 2009 09:35:55 -0400

As the sport of basketball becomes more commercialized, playing and watching basketball has become a form of entertainment comparable to a movie.

Indeed the competitiveness remains; indeed the professional athletes are professional; indeed it is entertaining. But it seems as if the world of basketball has forgotten about what the sport is about, what playing the sport really means.

In fact, ever since the emergence of dominant players, especially players like Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan, basketball has evolved.

Fundamentally.

What was once a beautiful, coherent five men game has turned into a one-man scoring show.

What was once an intensive battle between two teams has turned into a match-up showdown between two star players.

Consequently, the idea of "role" players and "specialists" appeared. Players who would most complement the star of the team. Players who would help cover the star's weaknesses. Players who would exploit the opponent's weaknesses.

There never used to be a three-point specialist.

There never used to be a defensive specialist.

There, definitely, never used to be a player who was on the team just for the sake of being on the team.

Of course, this is all generalization, but this is the overall trend of basketball.

Until recently.

Until the 2008 Beijing Olympics USA Basketball Team.

In the process of snatching the gold medal, Team USA has once again showed the basketball world what basketball really is. All the stars put team interest ahead of self interest, and play as a team, from the starter all the way to the last man on the bench.

This year, LeBron James, a starter on Team USA, has brought it to his NBA team, Cleveland Cavaliers. And it shows.

Throughout the season and the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers has redefined basketball, bringing the traditional and the contemporary together, molding it into a whole new idea of basketball.

They have the superstar in LeBron James, but he has put his team ahead of everyone else. His scoring has went down in the regular season, while his assists has increased. When his team needed to score, he still does.

However, only when he was called upon to.

Most importantly, however, is the fact that they play as a team. Instead of isolating James, or Mo Williams, or anyone else, they play together, combining each player's strengths and using that as a lethal winning secret.

Adding to that is the terrific team chemistry. All the players, from LeBron James to the last man on the roster, enjoy each other's company. They are a family.

Not only does it boost the players' confidence, it also brings the team closer to each other. Each player has the other player's back, which shows in the team's poise and composure through the roughest of times.

The Cleveland Cavaliers has found themselves a formula for success, but what they really discovered is the hidden art of basketball.

The hidden art of basketball that has been forgotten for a long time—team.

They have discovered that a well-bonded team is more lethal and deadly than a team with five selfish superstars.

They have discovered what a team is truly all about.

What basketball is all about.

Five Most Inconsistent Calls in NBA

David Wang — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:01:50 -0400

As the 2009 NBA Playoffs continue, referees are faced with the pressure of trying to make the right calls all the time. However, basketball, as simply as it seems at times, can be extremely controversial when it comes to officiating. Sometimes, a call can affect the outcome of a game; sometimes it can affect the outcome of an entire series. Granted that the NBA has tried to be fairer by adding instant review and suspension policies, some calls just are plain hard to call. Here are my top most inconsistent calls to be officiated during an NBA basketball game.

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Ejected on Consecutive Games: Does NBA Hate Ron Artest?

David Wang — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:57:09 -0400

As the NBA Playoffs become more and more physical, technical and flagrant fouls are seemingly given out in every single game. The most notable series of all, perhaps, is the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers series.

In Game 1, the Rockets surprisingly took away Lakers' home court advantage. In the next game, not only did the Lakers respond through their on-court performance, but also through their attitude.

Several players were assessed technical fouls towards the end of the third quarter, adding to that is the infamous flagrant two foul on Derek Fisher, who intentionally elbowed Rockets forward Luis Scola in the chest. He was automatically ejected and was also suspended one game by the NBA. I am sure we have all seen that play and agreed with the flagrant two foul.

Later on in the fourth quarter, Ron Artest was assessed with a technical foul for standing up for himself against an elbow in the neck from Kobe Bryant while fighting for a rebound. Granted the fact that Ron Artest went to Bryant after the call, and had some words with him, he did not show any non-sportsmanship-like qualities. Nevertheless, he was ejected from the building.

This, to me, was completely irrational, for Ron Artest did absolutely nothing wrong. He was the victim of a hard play, and he was doing nothing but standing up for himself. I firmly believe that anyone should have the right to do so. However, referees thought otherwise. Kobe Bryant was given a flagrant one foul afterwards, which was pretty meaningless.

In Game 3, everything seems much more calmer than the previous game, until the last minute. Pau Gasol runs the floor for a lay-up/dunk, while the Rockets tried to intentionally foul him to stop the clock. As Gasol goes up, Ron Artest comes in from the side for the block, but fouls Gasol.

It was clearly a hard foul, but nothing more than that. From the replays, it was evident that Ron Artest was going after the basketball, not any other body parts of Gasol. Referees assessed Ron Artest with a flagrant two foul—which meant that they could review the play to make sure they made the right call. Surprisingly, the referees believed that they made the right call, and Ron Artest was ejected with a flagrant two foul.

It is not the fact that Ron Artest was ejected that bothers me; it is the fact that he was assessed the same foul as Derek Fisher. As previously mentioned, Derek Fish evidently elbowed Luis Scola intentionally, and it was a non-sportsmanship-like play. However, Ron Artest was clearly attacking for the ball, not to injure Pau Gasol, and he was given flagrant two as well?

Perhaps the NBA officiating crew has to be much more consistent on the calls, especially those that involve ejections, but through the officiating seen in Games 2 and 3, NBA seems to hold some sort of grudge against Ron Artest. In Game 2, he was ejected for standing up for himself; in game 3, he was ejected for a good hard foul consistently seen in NBA playoffs.

To add to all these unfair calls, Ron Artest never once raised his voice or showed an attitude, let alone aggression. I do understand the fact that NBA is trying to prevent the infamous brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills from happening again, but it also needs to understand that Ron Artest is, at the very least, trying to be a better person.

I am personally not a Rockets or a Lakers fan, but a mere basketball fan watching some good basketball games. Frankly I do not care which team wins the series, but I always like a fair game. But a fair game starts with a fair officiating crew, and from these two games, I have seen unfairness against Ron Artest specifically.

This leads me to think that NBA really needs to go back to the drawing board and somehow refine its officiating rules and their consistency.

Sasha Vujacic Re-Signs as Los Angeles Lakers Keep Playoff Formula

David Wang — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 05:32:02 -0400

After much anticipation, the Lakers finally re-signed role player Sasha Vujacic to a three-year, $15 million contract.

Just days before this extension, Vujacic was rumoured to play in Europe, following the trails of Josh Childress and other NBA players. The idea of playing in a new continent is becoming more practical, and NBA players are taking advantage of it.

However, the Lakers thought a step ahead.

Shortly after being offered an European contract, Vujacic received this Lakers contract offer. This shows how well the Lakers' front office is managed, because they realize what an important player Vujacic is to the Lakers.

Without him, the Lakers may immediately lose a significant portion of the playoff team that reached the NBA Finals last year.

Despite his statistics showing him as a so-so player, Vujacic's contribution to the Lakers' success is undeniable. His instant offense, threat to hit the three, and his above-average defense are very valuable to the Lakers.

With opponents double-teaming Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and occasionally Lamar Odom, Vujacic becomes the beneficiary, draining 44 percent of his threes last season.

Even though the Lakers were extremely quiet this off-season, with one loss in Ronny Turiaf to the Warriors, they came through with their most important contract negotiation of this off-season by re-signing Vujacic.

Now the Lakers are ready to strike at the NBA Finals again.

Should Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley Have Switched Spots in the NBA Draft?

David Wang — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:05:46 -0400

A month after the 2008 draft, the exhibition games are over, the Summer League's over, and the offseason is coming to an end.

Now we turn our heads back and realize—maybe Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley should have swapped places in the draft. That would have helped both of them gain a more appropriate role, and also helped their teams fill an empty hole that they had been searching for over a long period of time.

Of course, each of them being drafted in this particular order is nothing wrong. It may do both teams some good—but I believe that if they were to switch positions on the draft board, more good may be done.

Derrick Rose, a 6'3", 196-pound point guard from Memphis, is a Chicago boy. His athleticism, potential, and decision-making skills are undeniable. In fact, his game is so versatile it is compared to the likes of future Hall-of-Famer Jason Kidd. His ability to attack the rim is as good as any point guard in the league, if not better. Add in his defensive abilities, and he sounds like a dream PG for any team.

Michael Beasley, on the other hand, is a 6'8", 239-pound forward. After a stellar year with Kansas State, Beasley arrives on the grand stage. He is a reliable post player, good shooter, and a terrific rebounder. His defense may be questioned, but his potential is very high. Size may be a problem, but he is a solid big man. Sounds like a good player to draft for a team that needs a big man.

So the Chicago Bulls, who fought against the slightest chance of winning the first overall pick, goes first, while the rebuilding Miami Heat looks to draft second.

And the Chicago Bulls decided to draft their hometown star.

At first look, it makes sense, right? He's a Chicago native, he's the best player out of the draft pool—what better player could they have asked for?

How about Michael Beasley?

Beasley would have been the best choice for the Bulls, for a number of different reasons.

First of all, he is a legitimate big man, a reliable post player who is willing to clean up the glass as well. When required, he can shoot the outside jump shot to spread the floor for the post players—Joakim Noah, Drew Gooden, and perhaps even Tyrus Thomas.

By taking Beasley, the Bulls would have solved their biggest problem for years—the lack of a solid big man. But instead, with the addition of Rose, not only have the Bulls deepened their roster with star guards, but it also adds a new problem to the organization.

Kirk Hinrich vs Derrick Rose.

Who gets the starting job? Should Hinrich be traded? Should Hinrich play SG? If so, where does Ben Gordon go? Back to the bench, like he did before? Then does Larry Hughes need to go somewhere too?

Would Gordon not re-sign with the Bulls if that happens? If Gordon goes, would Luol Deng go too? If two star players leave, would Kirk Hinrich or Derrick Rose want to go?

On and on and on...

With the addition of Derrick Rose, the Bulls do get a highly prestigious point guard—but what they face now is a list of big problems.

But the biggest problem of all is still the lack of a solid big man to put them in contention in the not-so-competitive Eastern Conference. With star players Gordon and Deng, it is a mystery why the Bulls decided to go with Rose. After all, the draft is suppose to help the team strength their playoff possibility. It's not about drafting the best player there is.

Then on the other side of the story, we have the Miami Heat getting the leftover Beasley.

With Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marion leading the way for the Heat, they would be able to get some help from a good big man, but what they need most is a solid point guard to run the show. Jason Williams is getting old and is very injury-prone. When he is out, Chris Quinn is the only other real PG. But for most of the time, Wade takes the spot.

Dwayne Wade playing PG means the Heat lose a lot of offense. That means losing a game.

Wade is everything to the Heat. Marion can't win games by himself, Ricky Davis is too inconsistent, and there is no one else that can actually score in a hurry.

If the Bulls picked the right guy, then the Heat would benefit too, by drafting Derrick Rose.

In this case, I think the Bulls gets the blame, because they drafted first. In addition, Heat recognized their lack of point guards, and drafted Mario Chalmers in the second round.

But they had to pick Beasley second, because they could use a big man as well, since Mark Blount and Udonis Haslem can't be relied upon on a nightly basis. And the next decent PG after Rose on the draft table was D.J. Augustin.

If they picked Augustin, that would have meant passing on O.J. Mayo, Brook Lopez, Eric Gordon, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, and Jerryd Bayless. The Heat had to pick Beasley.

The result of the decision by the Bulls? The Miami Heat, to some extent, managed to fulfill their needs—maybe not to their expectation, but they did.

The Chicago Bulls, on the other hand, are still a pile of torn-up pieces of paper waiting to be bound into a book. The problem is, the paper is burning—Gordon and Deng might choose to play with some other team.

So the Bulls better do something about their roster now, or they may not get the chance to try again any time soon.

Maybe the Bulls can trade Rose to Heat for Beasley?

That would solve the problem.

And Derrick Rose gets to keep "No. 1 Overall Draft Pick" on his resume.

Golden State Warriors Lose Leader, Gain Future

David Wang — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:13:35 -0400

The off-season is well underway, and people are moving.

The biggest names that were offered to the market this year include the Los Angeles Clippers big man Elton Brand; Washington Wizards Agent 0 Gilbert Arenas; Los Angeles Clipper's highflying swingman Corey Maggette; and Washington Wizards versatile forward Antawn Jamison.

But one name gave every basketball fan in the Bay Area shivers down their spines: Golden State Warriors leader and cornerstone Baron Davis.

Much analysis and reflection came from sports experts, NBA personnel, basketball fans, and perhaps Baron Davis himself, but the truth is, the deal is signed. As Warrior fans, let's put him behind us, as part of that great playoff story of a year ago. Let us look towards the future.

While Arenas and Jamison re-signed with the Wizards, Elton Brand left for the Philadelphia 76ers, which shook the NBA community with surprise.

Maggette, on the other hand, gladly accepted a Warriors offer, bringing offense, speed, and quickness to the already offensie-minded ball club. In addition, energetic big man Ronny Turiaf was hauled over from the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as young point guard Marcus Williams from New Jersey Nets.

Apparently, sources have proven that three-point shooter Maurice Evans will be joining the team, too.

What a busy off-season. Should we start the next season with the current rosters, it is filled with young talents, with a few experienced veteran stars to guide them through the arduous NBA season. Listed below are the current players for the Warriors (in position order):

G: C.J. Watson / Marcus Williams / Monta Ellis / Marco Belinelli

F: Stephen Jackson / Al Harrington / Corey Maggette / Anthony Randolph / Brandan Wright / Ronny Turiaf

C: Andris Biedrins / Kosta Perovic

The reason why I listed the players in G/F/C format is because of versatility. This is one of the reasons why the Warriors can run up and down the court, and beat you with big lineups and small lineups.

However, one thing is evident: the Warriors need a dominant center. And clearly, the Warriors can spare a few forwards.

However, if the regular season started now, would the Warriors be successful? Can they still use their same tactics that defeated Dallas Mavericks a year ago against the newly furnished NBA teams?

Maybe the success will not be immediate (as in the first couple of months or perhaps until All-Star Weekend), but this team can do some damage simply with their freestyle offense.

Reason?

Youth - Speed - Quickness - Offense

But the biggest asset - versatility.

One of the most worrisome tactics that NBA teams face each day are match-ups, and Don Nelson may be the best coach when it comes to matching up various positions. But in order to successfully gain advantage against opponents, your team needs versatile players, meaning players who can play multiple positions—the more the better.

And the Warriors have exactly that.

Let's look at how each player can contribute to the Warriors in the upcoming season:

C.J. Watson: A pickup from D-League last year. Has shown promise to be a good back-up at the point. Proven three-point shooter, and has proven to be a decent ball handler, defender, and assist man in the Summer League. Should be the first PG off the bench.

Marcus Williams: A proven three-point shooter and assist-man at the point, and plays well in transition game. His time was limited last year due to Jason Kidd and Devin Harris running the show, but he did prove hints of potential when he was given his time. Perhaps a bit rusty, but should be starting at PG. However, if CJ Watson plays PG, and any of the other stars are in foul trouble, Marcus Williams may be pushed to SG if necessary given his shooting abilities.

Monta Ellis: Reportedly signed a six-year deal with the Warriors. His quickness, speed, and ridiculous hang-time makes him an unstoppable force on the offensive end. He can drive at will, shoot the unblockable jumper, and can get to the line with ease. If anybody still remembers, he came out of high school, and is still in his early 20s. He should be the starting SG for the Warriors, but may very well see time at PG as well if Nellie wants to play an experienced lineup.

Marco Belinelli: Last year was a bad year for Belinelli, due to limited playing time. But this season, Nellie promised to play more younger players. If given time, as proven in the Summer League, his offense can be lethal, most notably his three-point shots. Belinelli may be asked to play the role of Ray Allen in the Boston Celtics' transition game : to shoot the three in fast-break situation. He is able to space out the floor for Ellis and other attackers. Belinelli should be seeing time at SG off the bench.

Stephen Jackson: Captain of the Warriors never disappoints, and he will not next year. Without Baron Davis, he will assume a bigger role as the leader of the team. On the floor, he continues to be a three-point threat, as well as a post-up defender. His defense is perhaps most needed next season, even more so than his offense. Should be starting at SF, but may play SG and PF for various reasons.

Al Harrington: He had a good season last year, and should have a better one next season due to the absence of Davis. He can space out the floor with his 3-point shooting, and is a force down in the post. As long as he stays out of foul trouble, he can be a threat to any team. He is likely to start at the PF position, and will play SF and C occasionally.

Corey Maggette: Despite being a star player, he may have to begin his Warriors debut on the bench. His three-point shooting and drives are valuable, but his inadequate defense and inconsistency will be damaging. With Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, and Al Harrington on the floor to start, Maggette can become a very successful sixth man for the team. He will bring energy and instant offense to the team when asked upon. Maggette should be playing SG, SF, and PF.

Anthony Randolph: This rookie has shown promise in the Summer League. He is quick and can run the floor. He is a good defender and can occasionally cause problems for the other team in the paint. He should be looking at playing at the PF for the most of the time, but may slip down to SF or even up to C.

Brandan Wright: Second year star from North Carolina showed potential in limited minutes last year, but he will be called upon this year. His strength, speed and versatility are very valuable. Good defender as well. May very well be the backup to Al Harrington when running small. He should be playing SF, PF, and C.

Ronny Turiaf: He is loud, he is energetic, but brings the intangibles to the team. He will do the dirty work every time he's out there. Should be looking at PF and C.

Andris Biedrins: He is pretty much the Warriors' only reliable center. Great rebounder and shot-blocker, and can work the pick and roll very efficiently. Starting C.

Kosta Perovic: Saw very limited time last year, but may be called upon this year because of his size. He may develop into a good backup for Biedrins when running big.

As you see, the Warriors are very versatile, especially around SG, SF, and PF. Don Nelson will be using these as key matchups that may determine the outcome of the game.

Also, Warriors may be playing smaller lineups more next season, because of the lack of strength in the frontcourt. With Biedrins holding up the middle, someone needs to take his place.

Predicted Starting Five: Marcus Williams / Monta Ellis / Stephen Jackson / Al Harrington / Andris Biedrins

Predicted Small Lineup: Marcus Williams / Monta Ellis / Corey Maggette / Stephen Jackson / Al Harrington

Predicted Fast Lineup: Monta Ellis / Corey Maggette / Anthony Randolph / Stephen Jackson / Brandan Wright

The Warriors may not reach the playoffs this year, but the upcoming season will boost experience for the younger players, and will be the key to the future for the Warriors basketball club.

Monta Ellis: Key to Warriors' Success?

David Wang — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:09:39 -0500

The Golden State Warriors are doing well so far this season and Monta Ellis is all smiles.

Under the lead of Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson, the Warriors are currently in eighth place in the tightly contended Western Conference.

This might not sound too impressive, but they are in front of strong teams that have disappointed this season, like the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets.

But the truth is, the Warriors have beaten the teams above them in the rankings a total of five times, including a win over Phoenix and two over San Antonio.

This all seems to make a strong case for the Warriors to have a chance in the playoffs, but recently things have become a little more frustrating. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games and have escaped from close games due to some terrific plays by an individual who is underrated in the NBA.

No it's not Baron Davis or Stephen Jackson...It's Monta Ellis.

In the win over the Indiana Pacers, Ellis was the one who ignited the Warriors for a run in the end of the third and fourth quarters, showing everyone he can be clutch just like Davis.

The play that stands out the most is probably when Ellis drove pass Jamaal Tinsley, jumped from the free throw line, glided through the air, turned 180 degrees, and finished with a reverse layup...And the foul. This gave the Warriors a two point lead after the completion of the three-point play.

However, the biggest play of the night from Monta Ellis was the tip-in with 40 seconds to go. Baron missed a fadeaway and Monta somehow soared above everyone else and tipped in the miss to give the Warriors a three-point lead over the Pacers.

Yet nobody can even remember when Ellis was drafted. He just seemed to come out of nowhere for the Warriors, just like Kelenna Azabuike. That is, until he won the Most Improved Player Award last year.

Drafted out of high school in round two, 40th overall in the 2005 draft, Monta Ellis was regarded as a player who was probably not ready for the NBA at the time. He was drafted behind players like Andrew Bogut, Marvin Williams, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, and Andrew Bynum.

Sure, he can't lead a team into the playoffs like Deron Williams did last year, but Ellis was drafted into the right team for him—the Golden State Warriors.

Players who are fresh out of high school want to run. They want to play basketball like they did back in the school days—just run, and do whatever you want to. Don't worry about the coach yelling at you, you're the best player on the team anyways. And Don Nelson is even nicer than a high school coach...He doesn't even yell. He lets you run.

Monta Ellis started out his rookie year somewhat slowly, but flourished in his second year, winning the Most Improved Player Award. The main reason? Nellie ball. He had fun on the court and really was a good addition to the Warriors bench.

And this year without Jason Richardson, it's really time for Ellis to play.

He can jump, he can run fast, and he can dunk. Quite impressive for a 6'3" 177 lb. guard.

This year Ellis is really proving he was a steal from the 2005 draft. He matured as a player and understands his strengths and weaknesses. From his shot selections it can easily be noted that he relies his mid-range jump shots very much. His decrease in three point field goal attempts shows that he understands he is not a three-point shooter—much like Tony Parker.

When teams play Warriors, they used to focus their attention on Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson's threes. Now they have a serious problem—Monta Ellis. He can posterize a center with a dunk, glide through the lane to finish an and-one play, or simply shoot over you.

Thus far, Ellis has shown that he is a great fit to the Warriors.

Now it's time for him to get the recognition he deserves.

Kobe for MVP: Could New-found Unselfishness Mean His Time Has Finally Come?

David Wang — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:10:18 -0500

Everyone knows Kobe Bryant can play. Everyone knows Kobe Bryant can play the game real well.

Heck, he even poured 81 points right in the Raptors' face in 2006.

But is there anything he can't do?

Perhaps winning the MVP of the season.

He is arguably one of the best players in this decade, and has set records in various categories. To sum off his brilliant resume are three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. Yet he still has not won the MVP of the season award.

With his most prolific seasons in 2002-03 and 2005-06 behind him, his chances of claiming the award seems to be less likely as younger players are flourishing onto the NBA scene. Players like Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and LeBron James are all in the races to become this year's MVP. And yet, year after year, Kobe Bryant shows up in the top 10 of the most likely players to win the MVP, and he fails to win it.

So, What is the main reason why he's not voted the MVP?

Selfishness.

Upon the departure of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe had to take the offensive load by himself. His scoring average even went as high as 35.4 from 2005-06. His teammates would watch him drill shots after shots after shots over his opponents, thinking he could do it all. As a result, they couldn't be bothered to motivate themselves to improve. This adds reliability and immense pressure on Kobe in games, and the front office did nothing much to help him either.

But this year, Kobe Bryant has been resting the most minutes per game in his entire career (excluding the first two years) when his team is posting a 25-11 record! What does this mean?

The times have changed. Kobe isn't the answer to every question for the Lakers any more. Despite "only" averaging 27.0 points this season up till this point, he has shown that he is a completely different player this year. Anyone who has seen Kobe play this season would agree that he thinks team first rather than for himself.

And that is exactly why Kobe only scored over 40 points once this season - on opening night.

He has Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, and the rest of the roster to help him out at any point of the game. But perhaps the most relied player for the Lakers next to Kobe is Andrew Bynum. His emergence is very important to the Laker's success this year, and Kobe has learned to trust him as well.

But that does not mean Kobe is thrusting the entire offensive responsibility to the rest of the team. Kobe has shown maturity this year through his ability to be a team player. He knows when to let his team play, and when to step up his game.

For example, in a blowout win against the New Orleans Hornets, Kobe registered a 19-point night, but he helped out his teammates by dishing out 7 assists. But in a tight game with the Memphis Grizzlies, Andrew Bynum was injured, so he immediately stepped up, and scored 37 points to lead the Lakers over the Grizzlies.

This is what a MVP is all about.

Perhaps years before, Kobe relied on Shaq to do everything for him. Then he learned only to rely on himself in order to win games when Shaq's presence is gone. But now, he has combined the two together, with effect. Not only does he trusts his offensive instincts, he also has the faith in his teammates, giving them support throughout games.

And with that, the Lakers responded from several poor seasons, and is now ready to advance into the further stages of the playoffs.

Defensively, Kobe is not slacking off either. He is posting a second career-high 2.1 steals per game, behind the 2.2 steals per game back in 2002-03. His intensity on defence and hustles is still one of the best in the league, and no one is about to deny that.

If this is not what a MVP is all about, then I don't know what is.

Sure there are still bright players in the NBA, but it is time for Kobe to be recognized. He is not the same selfish player he was criticised for, yet he still manages to keep up with his offensive and defensive game, showing he is an all-rounded player.

Even though this year's stats might not be the best of his entire career, this season shows solid evidence why Kobe Bryant is one of the best players to ever play the game.

2007-2008 MVP of the Season - Kobe Bryant?

Why not?

Carter, Jefferson, Kidd: Not a Championship Combination

David Wang — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:42:52 -0500

Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Jason Kidd.

These are three really big names in the NBA.

One is a legend in the Slam Dunk contest already; one has shown ability to dunk over people in games throughout his career; one generates triple-doubles on a nightly basis.

One would imagine these three as unstoppable forces in a game, and even more so during the transition.

Yet their team—New Jersey Nets, stands at a mere 7th place in the Eastern Conference, with a humble record of 18-18. Ahead of them, are powerhouses Boston, Detroit, and Orlando, as well as improved teams like Washington, Toronto, and Cleveland.

Despite the fact that the Nets is the last team in the Conference to have a winning percentage of .500, they are closely chased by Atlanta, Indiana, Chicago, and Milwaukee—all within one game of each other.

If the Nets are not careful, they might lose their position for the playoffs. Even if they do qualify for the playoffs, they will start the postseason playing Detroit at the current pace. This pretty much means an automatic exit ticket, as they are 2-0 against Detroit, losing by a total of 41 points.

How come such a combination of the Big Three is so ineffective that it translates to as much losses as wins?

Is there something wrong with their chemistry? Or is it because they are still trying to understand each other's games?

It is neither.

Perhaps it is the lack of big men in the post.

When the New Jersey Nets went to the Finals in 2002 and 2003, they had the explosive Kenyon Martin in the middle. Back then, the Big Three of Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, and Martin were able to swept the Detroit en route to the Finals.

Now, Martin is replaced by the athletic and egoistic Vince Carter.

Coming from the Toronto Raptors, he was criticized for taking too many outside shots than what he used to do best, which is driving towards the rims. Nevertheless, Carter still manages to average 20+ points per game in the 3 seasons with the Nets so far.

But there is one statistic that should be noted above all else—assists per game. He has averaged well over four assists per game with the Nets, while back in Toronto, he only dished about three assists a game. This reflects his unselfishness with his Big Three team mates.

Richard Jefferson, upon the arrival of Vince Carter, was probably affected the most, as his scoring average went down by 3 points in his first full season with Carter. However, he did not complain, and played each game with the same attitude.

One advantage Jefferson gained from the presence of teammate Carter, was that he was able to get more open shots, as evident from his increasing amount of three-pointers made per season.

Jason Kidd, on the other hand, took his game to new heights with the formation of the Big Three. With an additional player to dish to at transition, Kidd recorded more triple-doubles in one season in 2006-07 than any other seasons he played in.

With two scorers on his two sides, Kidd's role was reduced to playmaking primarily. As his scoring average went down, his assists and rebounds per game increased. Kidd is the heart of the Big Three. Without him, Jefferson nor Carter will not be able to score with the easiness they are doing currently.

Yet, two explosives scorers and one future Hall-of-Famer playmaker are still unable to dominate their own division.

Again, it is most probably because of the lack of a low-post force.

Without Kenyon Martin, the Nets could only work with Nenad Krstic and Mikki Moore. Unfortunately, Krstic was still young, and when he did become a prominent figure down low, he suffered a season-ending injury. Mikki Moore was one of the best pickup by the Nets after Vince Carter, but the Nets was not able to sign him in the offseason, and off he went to Sacramento.

But now, the Nets really have hope—Sean Williams.

Even though he is still a rookie, he is already a monster down low: blocking shots, grabbing rebounds, and finishing dunks. He may be the final piece to the puzzle for the Nets' team.

Without Williams, the Big Three of the Nets will not be able to go deep into the playoffs. As other Big Three's around the league have shown, a Big Three isn't a Big Three without a post force. Think of Duncan-Parker-Ginobili; Nash-Marion-Stoudemire; Allen-Pierce-Garnett; Arenas-Butler-Jamison; Billups-Hamilton-Wallace.

Winning a championship without a strong low-post player is almost unheard of, and Sean Williams may be their answer.

Will Yi Ever Be As Good As Yao?

David Wang — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:16:44 -0500

The new Chinese player has taken the NBA by surprise.

Halfway through his first season, the Chinese rookie Yi Jianlian has already shown great promise for the Milwaukee Bucks organization.

Being ranked third in his draft class, Yi is only 20 years old. He followed the path of the superstar Yao Ming, and entered the draft without having any knowledge on American culture.

Yet, he took the risk, and arrived in the city of Milwaukee, where the Chinese population is relatively smaller than other cities.

He did not complain. And now, he is averaging 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block per game for the Bucks.

Will he ever be as good, or possibly even better than Yao Ming?

At 7'0", 238 pounds, Yi Jianlian is deceptively quick and agile for a guy his size. He is also a terrific shooter, both inside and outside. His offensive rebounds are strong, and so are his ball-handling skills. To go along with these offensive abilities, is his defense. He is a threat in the paint, as his long arms can block shots just as good as any other center. Plus, his quickness allows him to steal with efficiency too.

Somehow, that sounds a lot like what Yao Ming is capable of.

But it should be noted that Yao stands 7'6" tall, and it has both advantages and disadvantages. Sure he can clean up the boards with his height, and take a jump shot over the other centers, but his immense body is not as quick as the smaller players. This limited his ability to become a more versatile player.

But Yi Jianlian is 7'0" tall, and his speed and agility makes up for the height differential. And remember, he is still 20 years old.

As a member of the China National Basketball Team, Yi has experience on the world's grandest stages. He has played in FIBA Tournaments, and the Asian Games. But above all else, he leads the team when Yao is not there. When Yao is there, Yi still serves as second option.

Despite his tender age, Yi never failed to meet his coach's expectations, and usually exceeds them. His terrific work ethic makes him an even better teammate.

But what is truly remarkable about this player, is that he has the potential to be an All-Star player, which would also benefit his nation.

As a post player, he can drain those turnaround fadeaways, as well as hook shots. His footwork is terrific for his age, and he is not afraid to be aggressive with the ball. As a shooter, he will nail the wide-open 20-footers, and can also make three pointers from time to time.

Then there are the rebounds. His ability to jump helps him grab offensive and defensive rebounds, and that he can block shots is also a boost.

But the most valuable element Yi provides is his unselfishness and hustle. He is willing to give up his scoring opportunities to open shooters, but at the same time, he is not afraid to take a crucial shot down the stretch. His hustle gives him the edge of using his speed to get loose balls when competing with a slower post player.

However, if Yi intends to stay in the NBA, he needs to get bigger. For a seven-footer, he is extremely skinny. Imagine if he is to compete against Dwight Howard for rebounds!

If Yi does become stronger, and becomes more accustomed to the NBA style of play, he might turn Yao's statement on Yi into reality: Yi will be better than Yao.

For now, the Bucks have Michael Redd to help them carry the offense.

But when Yi Jianlian is ready to burst onto the NBA scene, his emergence might be grander than that of Yao Ming.

Is Pat Riley Responsible for Shaq's Decline?

David Wang — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:16:03 -0500

He was once an unstoppable low-post force who broke backboards for a living.

Now even 6’9” rookie Al Horford can slow him down dramatically.

Where did Shaquille O'Neal's dominance go?

Is he too old? Is he too slow for the contemporary up-tempo style of basketball? Or has he simply lost his competitiveness?

Maybe Miami Heat coach Pat Riley is somehow responsible for the former superstar's continued decline over the past four years.

Before the 7'1", 325-pound center was shipped from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant after the 2003-04 season, O'Neal had been arguably one of the most dominant centers to ever play the game.

His rare combination of power, strength, quickness, and court vision allowed him to take full control over an entire game.

When he is playing one-on-one against any player in the post, his pure size with the addition of his variety of post moves lets him score at ease. If he is doubled, or even triple-teamed, his superb court vision gives him the opportunity to pass out to open shooters.

It was this full package of skills and talents, along with star teammate Kobe Bryant, that gave the Lakers a three-championship dynasty.

But once Shaq left, the Lakers crumbled.

Heat fans had playoff hopes and championship dreams when O'Neal swept into South Beach. What these anxious fans did not expect though, was that their savior was about to crumple as well.

Sure, the Diesel kept his promise of bringing a championship to the beautiful city of Miami, but he didn't carry the team like he did with the Lakers; Finals MVP Dwyane Wade did.

Pershaps it is because Shaq is getting older; he no longer has the capability of maintaining constant control over his immense body mass.

But if he wants to be compared to the greatest post-players in history like he is compared to, he should still be playing basketball the way he did when he earned MVP of the season in 2000.

Shaquille O'Neal is still only 36 years old.

At this age, Karl Malone was named to All-NBA First Team.

At this age, Wilt Chamberlain was still grabbing 19.2 rebounds per game and shooting with 65 percent accuracy.

At this age, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was still leading his Lakers to NBA Finals, and dropping his deadly sky hook over everyone.

To say the least, Shaq should not be declining this fast.

So what made his game so lame?

Pat Riley.

The moment Shaq arrived in Miami, Pat Riley had high expectations for him.

The one that stood out the most concerned Shaq's weight problem. Riley expected him to maintain 13 percent body fat.

This may not seem much for a professional athlete, but 325 pounds of mass is a completely different story.

The reason Shaq is so hard to stop is because of his sheer size, and then Riley wants him to keep "fit" like the smaller players?

That's like telling Michael Jordan, "Don't jump so high!"

After all, Phil Jackson never rode Shaq about keeping his body fat down, and they succeeded.

In addition, Riley is a very strict coach, and when he wants his plays to be executed, they must be executed to perfection.

But most of the plays are designed for Dwyane Wade to score, and there is a possibility that after being the team's leading scorer over the years, Shaq had an issue with it.

It is evident in Shaq's statistical line. The years before he went to Miami, he averaged 27 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. In his four seasons with the Heat, he merely averaged 14.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks a night.

It should also be noted that the for the last three seasons, he has neither averaged over 20 points or 10 rebounds a game.

Here, we have evidence that his decline is not about his age or injuries, but because of the team.

And the one who is responsible for the team is Pat Riley.

It is highly likely that Riley is somewhat responsible for Shaq's continual decline in his game performance.

It is high time for Riley to give Shaq the green light to play the game he once played.

Who's Better: Chris Paul or Deron Williams?

David Wang — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:25:30 -0500

They are both point guards, drafted in 2005 in consecutive order.

Chris Paul and Deron Williams proved themselves as premier basketball players last year, and have shown no signs of slowing down.

Listed at 6'0" and 175 pounds, Chris Paul was a star in Wake Forest, establishing himself as one of the best floor generals in the history of the team.

He entered the NBA with a terrific resume, and immediately broke into the under-developed New Orleans Hornets' starting lineup. Not only did he improve the team's overall play, but he established himself as a league-wide factor and claimed the Rookie of the Year award.

Deron Williams, on the other hand, is 6'3'' and 205 pounds, and was a standout at Illinois, where he lead his team into the NCAA Championship game.

After a relatively slow start in the NBA, Williams picked up his game in his sophomore year, leading the young Utah Jazz all the way into the Conference Finals. Now in his third season, Deron's play with teammate Carlos Boozer has drawn comparisions with the legendary duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone.

Over the years, stars like Bob Cousy, Magic Johnson, and John Stockton have establised the characteristics of what a good point guard should be. In this new era, Paul and Williams have both shown extraordinary ability in their respective roles for their teams already. Their aptitudes at point guard are undeniable, but who is the better of the two?

Both Paul and Williams are so skilled individually that in the current rankings of assists per game, they are listed in the top five, amongst veteran point guards such as Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, and Jamaal Tinsley.

Such an achievement is not easy for a third-year player in the NBA, as the duo are competing with more than 60 other point guards in the league.

Chris Paul is currently third in assists per game, averaging 10.3 assists, behind the two-time MVP Steve Nash and "Mr. Triple-Double" Jason Kidd. His spectacular court vision might not be as flashy as these two other guards, but it is enough to allow him to find shooters and post players at just about any time, whether it is during a transition or in a drive-and-dish situation.

And it is because of his penetrating abilities that shooters like Morris Peterson and Peja Stojackovic are able to "stay at home," and get into their zone with much more ease.

Williams, despite averaging one less assist than Paul (9.0), is also providing the playmaking skills coach Jerry Sloan needs. His one-two combination with Carlos Boozer is extremely effective, but Williams can also find open teammates when needed.

His 20-assist game this season proved why he is one of the best passers currently in the league.

Sure, the assists category looks impressivefor these two—but what is even more impressive is their ability to score. Chris Paul is currently averaging 21.9 points per contest, and yet finds enough time to add in 10 assists every game. On the other hand, Deron Williams is averaging 19.1 points per contest, and still has the strength to finish tremendous plays.

These two point guards are so close in skill level that even their turnovers and steals per game are very similar, as Paul averages 2.3 and 3.9 respectively, and Williams averages 3.3 and 1.1. The difference in steals per game might be a little too big, but Williams is just as aggressive as Paul when it comes to on-ball and off-ball defense.

So who is better?

It is very hard to tell right now.

Maybe in a few years' time, one will improve more than the other.

But it is guaranteed that the NBA will soon see two very high-level point guards competing with each other.

Perhaps it will be another Magic-Bird battle.

Time will tell.

LeBron James: The New Jordan?

David Wang — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:15:59 -0500

LeBron James is arguably the best player in the NBA right now.

But some even say, he might be the best player the NBA has ever seen.

Granted that Michael Jordan is conceived as the legend of basketball, but he himself is not God.

He is not perfect.

And here to take his throne now, is the Chosen One—LeBron James.

Coming out of high school, James had been on magazine covers before he turned into an adult, and had a Nike shoe contract with him going into the 2003 draft night in New York.

At first, people had doubts on this kid.

Comments stating that he could never survive the intensity of NBA without college basketball all turned into the trash can—quite literally.

On his opening game, he showed the world why he is the Chosen One. He plays basketball the way he likes it, and no one will stop him.

Wearing the same number as Jordan, James has done almost everything Jordan has done in his entire career, except for a few notable mentions. However, you have to remember James is not even into his prime yet!

So who is better? LeBron James or Michael Jordan?

There is only one way to find out—after James retires.

But no fans can wait that long.

For now, Jordan has the edge, but James will take it away just as easily.

With a 6'8", 250-pound body frame, and a vertical leap that is almost 40 inches, James has an offensive game comparable to that of Kobe, Jordan, and Grant Hill (in his prime).

The one flaw James has in his offensive game is his free-throw shooting and at times, his jump shot. His imperfect shooting style causes him to miss free-throws, but it is consistent at around 70 percent in every season.

His jump shot might be worse than that of Kobe or Jordan, but when he is on fire, he can shoot it over just about anybody (as seen in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals last year).

People remember Jordan for knocking down impossible game-winning shots and 60-point games, but rarely do people remember that there are nights when Jordan shot less than 40 percent, and scored under 20 points.

What separates James from Kobe and Jordan, is his post-up game. Because of his size, he can back down his defender as good as a big-man, and finish in a variety of ways.

This is what Kobe and Jordan lack—a post game. Sure they can both post up and shoot fadeaways or drive to the hoops, but they lack the body size.

LeBron is two inches taller than both Kobe and Jordan, and this gives him the advantage.

Another plus factor for LeBron is his ability to finish. Due to his tremendous strength and vertical leap, he can dunk on people, something Jordan rarely accomplished as he got older.

Given that Jordan had the ability to finish as well, he dod it in a more athletic way, twisting his body, and hanging in midair. And this year in the NBA, James has started to show similar moves as well: draw the foul, hang in the air, and then finish the play.

For both James and Jordan, the most outstanding aspect would be their defensive aggressiveness. Jordan was selected Defensive Player of the Year many times over, and has made key stops at critical times.

But James can do it with both steals and blocks. Again, this is probably because of James' size, but blocks do not come from height, but talent.

Josh Smith is 6'9", and he can block shots better than any centers in the league. Similarly with James, he will hustle more than anybody to intercept the pass or block the shot—and as many fans have seen, most of his blocks came during the opponent's transitions.

Nevertheless, there is still one weakness in Jordan's game that James have developed over the years—three pointers. Sure enough, Michael Jordan made the critical three pointers, but he never conceived himself as a three-point shooter.

LeBron James, on the other and, has developed his three to the point that it becomes a very reliable and dependent shot for him, and due to his size, he has the ability to shoot over defenders as well.

This is one area Jordan never managed to achieve well in.

Then there are the achievements—championships, scoring champions, and slam-dunk contests. These only reflect their abilities, and thus far, LeBron James has shown promise to achieve the same, or more, than Michael Jordan.

He has led the Cavaliers to the Finals in his third year in the league; he has been in a tight race with Kobe and Allen Iverson for scoring championships; he was named youngest MVP for All-Star Game; he is competing with Jason Kidd for triple-doubles.

Is that enough for a fourth-year player out of high school?

Apparently not, because he is still improving.

Michael Jordan might be the legend of basketball, but LeBron James is the heir apparent.

He already is one of the best players ever in the NBA, and remember:

He's still only 23 years old.

In Nellie We Trust: Can the Golden State Warriors Win the West?

David Wang — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:16:04 -0500

Nobody paid attention to the Golden State Warriors until last year's playoffs.

Before then, people only knew about the Warriors because of Jason Richardson's flashy dunks at All-Star Weekend. That was it.

When Baron Davis was traded from the Hornets to Warriors, nobody really cared. Baron's prime was over, or so they thought.

Plagued by injuries, Davis never had much of a chance to lead the Hornets. He wasn't expected to do much better in Oakland.

Then came Stephen Jackson, a guy best known for his role in the Auburn Hills nightmare when he was still with the Pacers. Also traded to the Warriors was Al Harrington, well known for wanting the ball in his hands, regardless of whether he's successful with it.

So how did the Warriors catch fire last season—and how are they amongst the top teams in the NBA this year, after beating the San Antonio Spurs on Monday?

The reason is simple: Nellie Ball.

Coach Don Nelson realizes that with a team of players who are known to be selfish with the ball, it's more efficient to let them run. No rules, no plays—just play like you're back on the streets.

The Warriors' up-tempo game is even quicker than that of the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix plays an "organized" run-and-gun game. Golden State plays a "ruthless" run-and-gun game.

Like Allen Iverson said after the Nuggets beat the Warriors, "You think it's easy playing their game? It's tough."

But it works.

Last season, Golden State clinched a playoff berth in their final game, then shocked the Mavericks in the playoffs. What beat Dallas was Nellie's style. Dallas was used to slow, set play. That's not how the Warriors operate.

What really got Golden State over the hump was the crowd at Oracle Arena. Imagine yourself as Baron Davis, and you score a layup. Just a layup...and all 20,000 people in the building, in their yellow "We Believe!" t-shirts, stand up and applaud.

Imagine how much energy that would give you!

The buzz propelled the Warriors over Dallas, and gave them the confidence they needed going into the 2007-2008 season.

But things didn't start well.

Jason Richardson was traded to Charlotte, and Captain Jack was suspended to start the year. Down went the Warriors to the bottom of the league.

But the moment Jackson came back, the good times started rolling again—and now the Warriors are in the top eight of the Western Conference.

People get tired enough with Phoenix running nonstop. Then you have the Warriors. They have no fear. Jackson will shoot the three in transition, Baron will finish wildly ridiculous and-one plays, and Monta Ellis will sprint pass you just as quick as Leandro Barbosa.

Simply put: You cannot stop the Warriors in transition. It's impossible.

Now let's take a look deeper into the roster...

BARON DAVIS

The most important factor in his game is probably his hustle. He'll dive after every loose ball and offensive rebound.

And of course, there's his scoring ability. He can post on smaller guards, and he can knock down three's, open or not.

On top of everything else, he can finish. You saw him dunk on Andrei Kirilenko last year in the playoffs. Make no mistake: It's Baron's house in Golden State.

MONTA ELLIS

Quick as lightning.

He's called a "one-man fast break" because he's going the other way when a shot is taken. By the time you realize he's gone, there's no way you can catch up.

And now that he has the midrange jump shot to boot, you don't know whether to back down or be aggressive.

STEPHEN JACKSON

His strength is probably the biggest key for the Warriors: defense.

Jackson can match up against anyone. He and Biedrins provide the defensive aggressiveness for the Warriors.

And of course, his three-pointers can kill you.

AL HARRINGTON

He's a mini-version of Dirk. He can score three's (he's the team's most accurate three-point shooter), he can score baby hooks inside, and he can, and will, dunk on you.

ANDRIS BIEDRINS

Other than those funny-looking screens he sets, he's a monster.

His presence was enough to give Dirk second thoughts about driving to the hoop during the playoffs. And his pick-and-roll with Stephen Jackson is underrated.

MATT BARNES

Another great hustle player. He can dunk on you, and shoot the three.

KELENNA AZUBUIKE

A great name—and he can do pretty much everything. Called up from the D-League last season, he already has plenty of highlights on NBA.com.

And yes, he dunks on people.

MICKAEL PIETRUS

The Frenchman isn't very effective in Nellie Ball, and has been the subject of a lot of trade rumors. However, when he plays, he will knock down three's.

The rest of the Warriors don't play much. But when they do, they all hustle, and play the game as if it were their last.

This, perhaps, is why the Warriors win: It's their hustle.

With Nellie Ball in full effect, the Warriors are in the thick of the playoff race. If they continue their current pace, the could do some damage in the postseason.

As it stands, the Warriors have already beaten Phoenix and Dallas. Now they've beaten the Spurs twice—once without Tony Parker, once with a full roster.

Who says the Warriors can't win the Western Conference Championship? They sure look like they're on a good run.

As long as they play Nellie Ball, you've got to figure they have a chance.