As the field of the 2013 NBA playoffs is once again cut in half, the decision to name the most elite players remaining at each position becomes more contentious.

Through two rounds of play and one month's time, the individual postseason resumes have become more telling.

Because they're still playing into the conference finals, most of these guys have contributed to their team's success—though that's not the universal case.

There's incredible talent leading each spot on the floor, as new names are pushing harder against those been-here-before veterans.

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Should Paul Pierce stay or should he go?

The Boston Celtics have got to let him know (to some extent) by June 30. That's the last day on which the C's can buy out the final year of Pierce's contract at a steep discount. Otherwise, they'll be on the hook for the full $15.3 million he's owed for the 2013-14 NBA season.

Unless, of course, Boston opts to ship him out at some point.

The truth about The Truth's future in Beantown is about much more than money, though. Pierce has spent his entire 15-year pro career with the Celtics, playing in two NBA Finals and winning one title along the way. Along the way, he's etched himself prominently into Celtics lore, endearing himself to the team's loyal fans and ensuring his place among the impressive pantheon of franchise legends.

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Carmelo Anthony's best just wasn't good enough...again. His 39 points (on 15-of-29 shooting) in Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers couldn't quite keep alive the New York Knicks' hopes of cracking the Eastern Conference Finals.

Not that Anthony's banner season was all for naught. He led the Knicks to their first NBA playoff series victory since 2000, their most regular-season wins since 1996-97, and their first Atlantic Division title since 1994. That's plenty of which Anthony can be proud, even more so when you throw in his first scoring title and third-place finish in the MVP race...

Right?

Except this is New York we're talking about, where the size of the Big Apple is rivaled only by the city's expectations for its most beloved sports franchise. With 'Melo at the helm, the Knicks had been pegged by many as a near-lock to advance to the NBA's Final Four. And with their success against the Miami Heat during the 2012-13 campaign, the Knicks (by a certain logic) were well-equipped to give the defending champs a run for their money, at the very least.

That will be the job of the Indiana Pacers' now, after New York's nauseating flame out in the second round. As for Carmelo, he and the Knicks will have their own bit of business to attend to as they seek out new solutions to the problems that have long plagued the patrons of Madison Square Garden.

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No winning formula is the same in the 2013 NBA playoffs.

The success of the four conference finalists has nothing to do with payroll, nor does it follow a specific method of acquiring players.

Each franchise's ideology is different.

It's big spending versus proficient drafting and a protected dynasty battling a puzzle pieced together.

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After leading Louisville to a Final Four as a junior and a national title as a senior, Peyton Siva will be looking to convince scouts his college success can translate.

However, Siva will encounter some towering obstacles on his road to the NBA.

There are plenty of skeptics, myself included, who question Siva's game with regard to making the transition. He'll have a chance to silence the critics during workouts and prove his size and perimeter stroke won't restrict him at the next level.

Physical Tools

Siva actually surprised at the NBA combine, measuring in at a solid 6'1'' in sneakers. This was great news for Siva, as it eliminates a potential red flag on his résumé (some believed he was under 6'0'').

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The NBA playoffs are the best show on Earth. Each year, things that have never happened before happen. Records are broken, milestones are hit and benchmarks are created.

The best part is that every season, just as the members of the old guard start to show signs that the end may be near, a new crop of young gunners always seems to show up and prove that they will be the ones to carry the torch going forward.

It's truly remarkable.

It's truly historic.

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Nope, no one is shocked by the final surviving teams of the postseason.

And no, it should come as no surprise how this chase for a title will likely end.

The reigning champions and favorite Miami Heat still stand, looming over a field of the mostly expected.

The San Antonio Spurs eliminated the only remaining dark horse, the Golden State Warriors.

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Shane Larkin might have pulled off something few can do. He might have moved the needle at the NBA combine.

The NBA holds this combine to get the top prospects in the country all under one roof at the same time. It's a lot easier to evaluate and compare when everyone's packed together instead of spread across the country in isolated gyms.

A big portion of the event is the athletic testing—five separate drills that test five separate dimensions of athleticism.

And Shane Larkin put on a show.

But before the show, it should be noted that Larkin measured in at 5'11.5" in sneakers. Considering his size, it became even more important that Larkin blow scouts away with his athleticism.

He got up for a max vertical leap of 44", the second-highest in the history of the event. Victor Oladipo and Ben McLemore, two pretty explosive athletes, both finished second at 42".

Let's look at some past leapers:

Isaiah Thomas: 40"

John Wall: 39"

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