NBA Playoffs 2012: 5 Lessons We've Learned so Far

The first few days of playoff action had it all: comebacks, game winners, temper tantrums, dramatic injuries and legend-like performances. And the best part is, we are not even done with the first round. 

While there is over a month left of games to be played, we have learned so much from the first few days. 

"It Ain't Over, 'Til It's Over"

The Clippers capped off one of the most amazing comebacks in NBA playoff history, as they overcame a 27 point fourth quarter deficit, in Game 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies. 

There has been plenty of reasons to be skeptical of Vinny Del Negro as the Clippers head coach. According to ESPN, Del Negro was one minute away from throwing in the white flag and pulling his starters before the Clippers started their magical 28-3 run to win the game. 

This comeback showed basketball fans everywhere that no game has been won until the final buzzer sounds. Had Del Negro pulled the starters the entire story would have been different—the Clippers would be down a game in the series with no positives. Instead, they have the lead and all of the confidence in the world. 

Roseless = Hopeless

As talented and deep as the Bulls are, Derrick Rose's torn ACL marks the beginning of the end for the Chicago Bulls.

Can you name a single championship team whose star player was injured throughout the entire playoffs? Impossible.

The Bulls were able to muster up the best record in the East with D-Rose on the sidelines for a large portion of the season. Having said that, the playoffs are an entirely different ball game.

When every game is played like the last, solid bench players like CJ Watson won't be able to get the job done. Sure, the Bulls might be able to pull out a few wins, but the reality is that their season has gone to waste.

There was absolutely no reason for Rose to have been playing in the final minute of Game 1 with the lead tightly secured. This coaching error will forever put an asterisk on an emotional Bulls season.

Amar'e Should Have Gone to College

...because if he did he might have learned that punching glass often leads to injury. 

Stoudemire's anger got out of control after the Knicks lost game two against the Miami Heat. After punching a glass fire extinguisher case, paramedics were called to the Knick's locker room. Amar'e is definitely out for Game 3, but the injury may be far worse. 

Rondo Needs to Mature

As if getting one technical foul wasn't enough, Rajon Rondo felt the need to give the referee a little shove with his chest. This act of immaturity got him suspended for one game. Luckily for the Celtics, Paul Pierce was able to put the team on his back and pull out a Game 2 victory over the Hawks.

With Ray Allen on the sidelines with an ankle injury the Celtics are going to need all the help they can get if they want to make it out of the first round alive. They simply cannot afford for more immature outbursts like this, especially in what appears to be the last year of the big three.

Kobe's Still Got It

At age 33, Kobe is still playing like he is in his prime.

On Tuesday night, he had a remarkable game, scoring 38 points against the Denver Nuggets. The fact that Kobe is able to have incredible playoff performances at this stage in his career truly exemplifies how great of a player he is.

Kobe is reminding everybody that he still has the capability of getting a sixth ring.

The difference between Bryant and other NBA legends is roster consistency. According to ESPN, Bryant said, 

"It's new. That's one thing that's different than myself or [Michael] Jordan or Tim Duncan, all those guys. They all had consistency their whole careers. They had Phil [Jackson], they had Pip [Scottie Pippen, for Jordan in Chicago]. You've got Manu [Ginobili], you've got Tony [Parker], you've got Pop [Gregg Popovich, in San Antonio]. I've had a whole new roster, a whole new staff."

To be able to win with a whole new team would be something extraordinary, but the fact that the Lakers are still serious contenders show how unique Kobe is.