NBA Playoffs 2012: 10 Most Intriguing Player Matchups in the First Round

Game 1 of the 2012 NBA postseason is officially in the books, and each and every series will move on to Game 2. While some games and players have disappointed, there's no avoiding the hype.

Or the promise.

With 19 members of the 2012 NBA All-Star Game active for their respective series, intriguing individual matchups appear to be a dime a dozen. The question is, which opponent pairings are a step above the rest?

Which one-on-one battles will make history, rather than just show a sign of competition?

Here is a list of 10 with that potential.

10. James Harden vs. Jason Terry

Two championship-caliber teams hold their respective sixth men in extremely high esteem. For the defending champion Dallas Mavericks, that happens to be 2008-09 Sixth Man of the Year Jason Terry. As for Oklahoma City, that is 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year award front-runner James Harden.

Coincidentally, both men play the same position. That makes for a battle of the past and the future, with Terry's three-point shooting and championship pedigree against Harden's all-around game and dominant scoring.

Let the games begin.

9. Jason Richardson vs. Paul George

As outlined in a previous article, Jason Richardson is one of the best postseason performers in the NBA. He's also facing one of the most dynamic shooting guards in the league, Paul George, who stands 6'8".

So far in the series, it's advantage Richardson.

While George shot just 4-of-11 for eight points, J-Rich came up with 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor. Should this trend continue, it may be the Magic who pull the postseason's greatest upset.

8. Chris Paul vs. Mike Conley Jr.

Quietly but surely, Mike Conley Jr. has established himself as one of the NBA's best defensive point guards. After dominating Chris Paul for three quarters in Game 1 of the Clippers' historic comeback, it's clear that he's also one of the better perimeter shooters at the position as well.

As for CP3, nothing needs to be said. He's been considered an elite point guard for years, mainly due to his balanced combination of his ability to post points, assists and steals with the best of them.

In a series that appears to be destined for seven games, this is the matchup to watch.

7. Kevin Durant vs. Shawn Marion

One of the league's best defenders is set to take on the three-time NBA scoring champion. While fundamentals are even more important come the postseason, this matchup could present the most physical battle all year.

Should that be the case, it's Marion and the Dallas Mavericks who end up in a favorable position.

Marion is a much stronger player than Durant, utilizing his bulky frame to push opponents around on both the interior and perimeter. Kevin Durant is no average opponent, as the Oklahoma City Thunder's MVP candidate is more than capable of handling the task.

Nevertheless, Durant's 10-of-27 shooting performance in Game 1 is evidence of how difficult a matchup this will be for both men.

6. Andre Iguodala vs. Luol Deng

In what is likely to be the most physical defensive battle of the postseason, All-Stars Andre Iguodala and Luol Deng will be lining up opposite each other. Since Derrick Rose went down with an injury, it's also safe to say that both men are their respective team's best individual players.

While many may expect a scoring duel, it's on the defensive end that these two men thrive. Due to that fact, transition points and late-game scoring will define this matchup and series.

5. Blake Griffin vs. Zach Randolph

You have one of the most athletic players in the NBA against one of the most fundamentally sound players the league has to offer. You can pick your poison and debate who is more valuable to their team's success, but I'd much rather watch this all develop as generations clash.

The Memphis Grizzlies' Zach Randolph is one of the few remaining old-school big men. He's often grounded by his inferior athletic ability, but never backs down from an opportunity to take it to the hole.

Blake Griffin, meanwhile, lacks a majority of the necessary fundamentals. What he does have is an unmatched ability to attack the basket, and the Clippers don't appear ready to put the restraints on Griffin anytime soon.

4. Amare Stoudemire vs. Chris Bosh

Two of the league's premier offensive power forwards will continue to square off, as Amar'e Stoudemire has drawn Chris Bosh as his first-round opponent. Both men are dominant scorers and above-average rebounders, making their contributions pivotal to their team's success.

Bosh may be generally inconsistent, but Stoudemire's health leaves something to be desired as well. This balance of strengths and weaknesses could lead to one of the more memorable postseason matchups in recent memory.

Both men have above-average mid-range games and both attack the basket with ferocity. Only one can advance, causing the 110 percent effort to reach a full 150.

3. Joe Johnson vs. Paul Pierce

Two of the best perimeter players in the game, Atlanta's Joe Johnson and Boston's Paul Pierce is likely to be a thrill of a matchup. Johnson is the best option for the Hawks at the 3, while Pierce plays that very position by choice.

While both are highly paid and expected to post impressive individual stat lines, we will only see one man advance.

Pierce appears to have the slight advantage over Johnson, due to his footwork and championship pedigree. That does not mean that Johnson is incapable of leading the Hawks to the promised land, though, which certainly he is. Instead, it's high praise for future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce.

A great series in the making.

2. Al Jefferson vs. Tim Duncan

It's one of the league's all-time greats against a star waiting for his opportunity to shine. Generations are clashing, as Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs play Al Jefferson and the Utah Jazz.

In Game 1, the two combined for 33 points, 20 rebounds and four steals. The slight advantage does go to the former Demon Deacon, as he posted 17 points, 11 rebounds and two steals on his own.

Don't think Jefferson will allow Duncan to have the last laugh, as he is in the midst of a potential career-changing series with the title-favorite San Antonio Spurs. His 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals are a sign that the Utah big man has not lost any confidence due to the pressure of the postseason.

1. Carmelo Anthony vs. LeBron James

You can ask for whatever matchup you'd like. The fact of the matter is, there is nothing more competitive than two of the NBA's top-10 players going head-to-head with their championship dreams on the line. And yes, this series will be more intriguing than the Heat's Game 1 blowout.

Contrary to his disappointing 11-point outing in Game 1, Anthony has averaged 24.4 points over 50 career postseason games. LeBron James, meanwhile, has averaged 28.1 in 93 playoff games. As the series progresses, expect scoring battles that resemble those numbers as opposed to those of the Miami Heat's Game 1 smothering of the New York Knicks.

As for what the ceiling of this series truly could be, just watch Game 1 of the 2009 Western Conference Finals. 'Melo's 39 points and 40 from Kobe Bryant set the pace for one of the most intense one-on-one postseason wars in NBA history.

LeBron versus 'Melo could and will duplicate this success.