NBA Playoffs 2012: Blake Griffin and Superstars Sure to Struggle in 1st Round

As important as it is for star players to be at their best in the regular season, they have to be that much better when the playoffs roll around. There is a reason why players like Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Magic Johnson are considered the best of all time, and that is because they were at the top of their respective games when it mattered most.

That isn't always the case with every star, and there will be plenty who struggle this year. Whether it's because of an inability to perform on the big stage or perhaps because of an unfavorable matchup, some top players simply won't play as well as expected. That doesn't mean that they never can, but their poor play could cost their teams the series.

Here are three superstars who won't perform as well as they should in the first round of this year's NBA playoffs.

Blake Griffin, F, LAC

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin is one of the most explosive young players in the game today as he averaged nearly 21 points and 11 rebounds per game during the regular season. His offensive skill is undeniable and he should be a great player for a long time.

With that said, I'm not sure that Griffin's game is tailored for the playoffs. He is somewhat one-dimensional in that he can't shoot too well from mid-range and he has some defensive deficiencies as well.

On top of that, the Memphis Grizzlies are a maddening team to play against. They have two excellent interior scorers in the form of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, so there is no doubt that Griffin will have his hands full as a defender. Also, Gasol is fantastic defensively, so Griffin isn't going to have free reign in the paint as he is used to. The Grizzlies won't allow Griffin to beat them and he'll have to scratch and claw for every single point.

Kevin Garnett, F, BOS

Despite playing at the ripe old age of 35, Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett continues to defy his detractors by playing at a high level. His season got off to a rough start, but KG closed strong and ended up averaging roughly 16 points, eight rebounds and a block per contest. He has plenty of playoff experience and success on his resume, so he may not seem like a good pick for this list, but he'll be tested big time in the first round.

The Celtics will face the Atlanta Hawks, who have given them fits in the playoffs in the past. Garnett in particular will have a very tough assignment as Josh Smith figures to be covering him defensively for the vast majority of the series.

The 6'9" Smith is a rare athlete with a massive wingspan and is among the best individual defenders in the game. He averaged nearly two blocks per game this season, so Garnett won't have an easy time getting off shots, and may have to defer to his teammates.

Amar'e Stoudemire, F, NY

When he is on his game, New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire can be among the most dominant scoring big men in the game. Injuries and inconsistent play have held him back a bit this season, though, as he turned in the worst full season of his career since his rookie year with averages of 17.5 points and eight rebounds per game. Because of New York's considerable depth, STAT hasn't been used to the best of his abilities and has taken a backseat to Carmelo Anthony.

With that said, the Knicks will need Stoudemire to be at his absolute best in the first round against the Miami Heat. New York struggled against Miami this season, but if Stoudemire can turn up his level of play, then you never know what might happen.

The Heat are among the best defensive teams in the league, though, and have a couple high-energy bigs in Ronny Turiaf and Joel Anthony that figure to give Amar'e trouble. If Stoudemire falters, you have to wonder how much longer he'll be in the Big Apple.