2012 NBA Playoffs Predictions: Unlikely Heroes for Each Team

The purpose of this column is to highlight which role player will become an unlikely hero for each team entering into the 2012 NBA playoffs.

Basketball is a team sport, especially in the playoffs. As good as the superstars are, they don't win championships on their own.

Obviously only half of these teams will end up moving on into the second round, but this is a list of the men who will have a greater impact for their respective teams in the playoffs than they have all year long.

Kyle Korver, Chicago Bulls

Korver is a three-point specialist. He is capable of catching fire from behind the arc, and if he manages to do so during the Bulls playoff run he will make the Bulls darn-near impossible to beat.

He will be especially dangerous on fast breaks, waiting in the corner for an open three while Derrick Rose drives into the lane.

Mike Miller, Miami Heat

Miller is also a three-point specialist. This season alone he's hitting 45 percent from behind the arc.

I expect him to get more minutes in the playoffs, especially when the Heat play small-ball. He is one of the only players on the Heat roster that can consistently hit threes, and they will need him to come up big if they hope to advance deep into the playoffs.

Leandro Barbosa, Indiana Pacers

Barbosa is quick. He can penetrate opposing defenses quicker than you can snap your fingers.

The Orlando Magic will obviously be without Dwight Howard, so Barbosa will be free to have his way in the paint where he is equally capable of scoring or dishing to open shooters.

Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics

Bradley is an all-around good player who's taken over the starting shooting guard duties for an aging Ray Allen. He isn't going to score 30 points, but he is a fierce defender with boundless energy.

I expect him to play a major role for the Celtics in the playoffs. Sure, Allen will see his minutes and get his shots off, but Bradley will surprise everyone with his solid play.

Tracy McGrady, Atlanta Hawks

Remember this guy?

He used to be one of the league's greatest stars, but nowadays he is just a role player on an up-and-coming Hawks team that will give the Celtics a run for their money once the first round kicks off.

McGrady hasn't forgotten how to score, and when the chips are down he'll turn back the clock by turning on the jets for the Hawks.

Glen Davis, Orlando Magic

Without Dwight Howard, Davis will have to really play well for the Magic to have a chance to defeat the Pacers.

Davis will respond to the call, and I expect him to average close to 20 points and 12 rebounds in the playoffs.

Mike Bibby, New York Knicks

Bibby is no stranger to the bright lights of the NBA playoffs. He used to be one of the stars in the league, but he now is a role player for the Knicks. 

Although his shooting touch isn't what it once was, I expect Bibby to bring his old game back one more time for a final hurrah during the 2012 playoffs.

Nikola Vucevic, Philadelphia 76ers

I expect the Bulls to make life difficult on the 76ers in the first round, especially in the paint. That being said, I am betting Spencer Hawes gets into foul trouble early in games, forcing Vucevic into action.

He'll hold his own against Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer, and I expect Vucevic to show up big for the 76ers in a losing cause.

Boris Diaw, San Antonio Spurs

Diaw is one of the most diverse big-men in the NBA. He can play outside, inside and everywhere in-between.

He will find his role expand once the Spurs get into the playoffs, and I expect him to average over 10 points per game. 

Nick Collison, Oklahoma City Thunder

Collison will see plenty of action, especially in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks, who have plenty of depth at the center and power forward positions.

He is a banger who loves to mix it up inside, and I see Collison playing a major role for the Thunder on their way to the Western Conference Finals.

Steve Blake, Los Angeles Lakers

Blake is a sneaky-good player who always seems to surprise me on the court.

He can hit the outside shot with some regularity, and it seems as if Kobe Bryant is developing some trust with him, leading me to believe Blake will up his scoring significantly in the playoffs.

Kenyon Martin, Los Angeles Clippers

When Blake Griffin finds himself in foul trouble, Martin will have an opportunity to step in and fill the void.

I'm not saying he'll come anywhere close to playing at the same level as Griffin, but Martin still has the game to make an impact on the good fortunes of the Clippers.

Gilbert Arenas, Memphis Grizzlies

Arenas isn't the same player he was back in his heyday with the Washington Wizards, but he still knows how to put the ball in the basket.

He is day-to-day with a finger injury right now, but once the playoffs roll around he'll be ready to go to work. Look for him to put up double-digit point totals at least a couple of times in the first round, and his play could very well be the difference in those games.

Corey Brewer, Denver Nuggets

Brewer is an athletic small forward who'll benefit greatly from the absence of Metta World Peace and possibly Matt Barnes in the first round against the Lakers.

He'll play about half the time, but Brewer's ability to play inside and out will make him dangerous in this series.

Delonte West, Dallas Mavericks

West has a knack for turning up his level of play in the playoffs. He is a gritty player that loves to take the big shot, and he'll play plenty of minutes against the Thunder in the first round.

I expect him to become one of the go-to guys for the Mavs in this series in the third and fourth quarters.

Raja Bell, Utah Jazz

Bell is a playoff veteran who will play plenty of minutes against the Spurs. 

He is capable of lighting it up from behind the arc as well as being sneaky-good at worming his way into the paint and finishing off drives with tricky layups.

He is quick and will help to drive the pace of the offense for the Jazz when he's on the court, and Bell will be crucial to any chance they have of beating the Spurs in the opening round.

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