NBA Playoffs 2012: LeBron James and 3 Players Ready to Shake Up the NBA Playoffs

By this time, all NBA playoff teams have already played at least one playoff game. It may be just one game, but we have already learned a lot.

For example, we learned that the Bulls have lost Derrick Rose for the season, Rajon Rondo of the Celtics will be suspended, the Magic can win without Dwight Howard and the Grizzlies can’t hold a 27-point lead.

These were all unexpected events. However, there are some players that do extraordinary things that are expected. These players have gone above and beyond to perform brilliantly for their teams during the regular season, and will continue it in the playoffs.

Here are four players who will shake up the NBA playoffs.

4. Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson’s game has always spoken louder than his words. He is the soft-spoken leader of the Atlanta Hawks, and whether or not the Hawks advance past the Boston Celtics will largely depend on his play.

Atlanta has never advanced to the NBA Finals since 1958, but Johnson claims that “the city is well overdue."

He knows that he is their franchise player, and they will likely be riding on his shoulders if they want to go deep into the playoffs.

Look for Joe Johnson to really step it up for the Hawks.

3. Andrew Bynum

What has Andrew Bynum done that Kobe Bryant hasn’t?

That’s right, record a triple-double in the playoffs!

Bynum finished Sunday’s game against the Denver Nuggets with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocks, tying Hakeem Olajuwon and Mark Eaton’s playoff record for most blocks in a game.

If not already, Bynum is now one of the truly dominant centers in the NBA at just 24 years of age.

Bynum also received high praise from Lakers’ coach Mike Brown:

"

To me, the difference in the game is Andrew Bynum. He can control the game without shooting a single shot if he wanted to. He can literally control the game without taking a shot. That's how good he is. He had 10 blocks here, but I'd be curious to know or see how many he probably changed. He changed a gazillion shots in the paint.

"

Look for Bynum to continue his dominance on the court, as the Lakers attempt to make a championship run.

2. Blake Griffin

Speaking of dominant NBA centers, let’s talk about Blake Griffin of the Clippers.

He was an All-Star again this season, and the skills that he brings to the court are as obvious as Pau Gasol’s shot-blocking abilities.

Griffin will really shake up the NBA playoffs because this is his first one. After a thrilling comeback win on Sunday against the Grizzlies in Game 1, Blake should come back energized and more than ready to compete in the coming games.

Or at least he should be happy that the Clippers are no longer the laughingstock of the NBA. 

1. LeBron James

As much as he is hated by non-Miami Heat fans across the country, LeBron James will have a career postseason.

After putting up MVP-type stats during the regular season, James is all set to prove all his haters wrong and try to lead his Miami Heat to the NBA Championship.

He had an impressive 32 points in Saturday’s win against the Knicks, and he scored them all in spectacular fashion.

After a long summer last year, King James is finally getting his chance to prove that he was right to take his talents to South Beach.