NBA Playoffs 2012: First-Round Matchups We're Dying to See

The first-round of the 2012 NBA playoffs boasts some incredible player match-ups. It all starts and ends with the one that pins Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James against each other for the first time ever in the postseason.

It doesn't get any better than that as far as first round match-ups are concerned.

The Miami Heat and New York Knicks will go at it in what will undoubtedly be billed as the series that will determine which of the two superstars from the 2003 NBA draft have the upper hand.

Obviously with two NBA Finals series' and multiple personal accolades under his belt, LeBron is by far the more accomplished of the two superstars. However, don't underestimate how lighting up the scoreboard and outshining LeBron in the playoffs could boost Melo's reputation.

One thing is certain, he has the offensive ability to do just that. Carmelo averaged 22.6 points, 3.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game this year, but those numbers don't necessarily do him justice. A more accurate presentation of how good Anthony has been as of late would be the 29.8 points he averaged in the month of April, which includes five 30-plus point games and two 40-plus games—one against the Heat in a loss, and the other coming in a win against the Chicago Bulls.

If Anthony is on, he has the firepower to take over a game offensively, and even James—who is arguably the best on-ball defender in the league—would have a hard time stopping him.

As good as Anthony can be though, it will be hard to eclipse King James, who enters this series averaging an astonishing 27.1 points, 6.2 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game.

That's what makes this matchup so great.

Both of these stars have been forever connected through the draft, and now they have the chance to go against each other in the post season. Anything can happen, and I have no doubts that both players will put on some epic performances.

Here are two other match-ups you're going to want to keep an eye on in the first-round.

Russell Westbrook vs. Jason Kidd

The Western Conference playoffs will symbolize somewhat of a changing of the guard, starting with the Oklahoma City Thunder. This team is young, supremely talented and ready to move on to the next level.

They face the defending champion Mavericks in the first round, a series that presents a very contrasting image at the point.

Jason Kidd, who is easily a Hall-of-Fame point guard, will match up against blooming star point guard Russell Westbrook.

This is the old veteran point guard against the young athletic one. Even though it seems like a mismatch, I feel Kidd may have a lesson or two for Westbrook before it's all said and done.

Two eras of point guard brilliance going head-to-head? It should be a  good watch.

Blake Griffin vs. The Rim

Blake Griffin in the playoffs. Need I say more?

Seriously though, this kid has given us some of the most dynamic highlights and dunks ever to grace a SportsCenter Top Ten, so I can only imagine how he'll attack the rim in the postseason.