NBA Playoffs 2012: Kobe Bryant and 4 Stars Who Will Make Some Waves

The 2012 NBA Playoffs are almost upon us with several first-round matchups already known and few spots up for grabs in basketball's elite.

While many teams will be eliminated and many more players will fall spectacularly, the playoffs will provide the opportunity for some players to blow up.

Yup. Blow up.

To make an explosive sound; to discharge in a forceful manner.

Now think of that on a basketball court and we're on the same page.

Here are the five players that are bound to go off in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

1. Rajan Rondo (Boston Celtics)

After being dubbed by many as too old to make anything out of 2012, the Boston Celtics have proved nearly everyone wrong by not only reaching the NBA Playoffs, but by tying up the fourth spot in the East as well.

They will likely face a tough first-round prospect in the Atlanta Hawks, and if the C's are to make any headway in the playoffs, it will be through Rajon Rondo.

Without doubt, the guard has been the main man for Boston all year and has been the driving factor behind several of their big wins against teams like the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.

Averaging more points (12.1 PPG) and more assists (11.6 APG) than any other time in his career, Rondo has been the definition of a sputtering player this season—taking his game to a level of maturity not seen before.

And in the playoffs, with everything on the line, you can guarantee that the Boston point guard will not only be a player to step up, but a player everyone else needs to take notice of.

2. James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Harden may have been on the wrong end of a sputtering from Metta World Peace in the Thunder's most recent loss to the Lakers, but you can guarantee that he will be a player to watch throughout the NBA Playoffs in 2012.

Picked by many to receive the Sixth Man of the Year Award, the bench-warmer has been in scintillating form for Oklahoma this year—averaging 16.8 points, 3.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and one steal per game.

Off the bench.

And in a side with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka.

He most likely won't receive the same recognition that the three above will, but Harden will no doubt sputter for the Thunder in the playoffs and if he does, watch out world.

Oklahoma City may not win back the number one seed in the Western Conference, but with the dominant lineup that they have, they will definitely be a threat come playoff time.

3. Roy Hibbert (Indiana Pacers)

One of the best big men all year, Hibbert could well turn out to be the X-factor in an Indiana Pacers side that continues to impress and surprise at the same time.

The Pacers have climbed to third in the Eastern Conference and with a series against the Dwight Howard-led Orlando Magic looming, the abilities of Hibbert will definitely come to the fore.

Averaging 13 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, Hibbert ranks top two in the Pacers unit for both categories in 2012 and has shown that he is certainly not a pushover.

He will not make the spectacular play or score a million points, but the Indiana center could well make an impact in the playoffs this year. If that does happen, the Pacers could well be playing basketball for many more matches still.

4. Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies)

Rudy Gay is leading the Memphis Grizzlies into the NBA Playoffs with momentum, skill and determination. He's putting points on the board and turning those points in to wins.

He's starting to make some waves.

With the Clippers seeming to stumble and the Lakers not their dominant best this year, Memphis is making late headway in the division and, in turn, have moved up to fifth spot in the West.

Their first-round series will likely be against Lob City, who the Grizzlies beat in their most recent encounter.

Gay is up on points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks on his career averages, and he's starting to get better at just the right time for Memphis, who could truly make some noise in the Western Conference.

5. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)

If you're getting the feeling that Kobe is really gearing up for the playoffs this year, then you're definitely not alone there.

With a double-overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers have proved that they can match it with the best in the league and that they are a genuine championship threat once again.

And with 27.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and all-round brilliance per game, Kobe Bryant is making it happen once again for the city of Los Angeles.

They may not be the conference-topping side of years gone by, but they are nowhere near a has-been either; Kobe is making sure that won't happen.

You simply can't avoid the No. 24 jersey in the NBA Playoffs because of what could happen when you do.

Explode. Dominate. Crush.

They all don't do justice to just what Kobe—along with the other four players—could do in the playoffs this year for their respective sides.

It's only a matter of time now.

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