NBA Playoffs 2013: Highlighting Hottest Players Left in the Field

Winning playoff games in the NBA requires a team effort, but inevitably the team that ends up winning the championship has the hottest player in the league on its side.

For the purposes of this column, we'll be looking at the best player left in the playoffs in three different categories: hottest guard, hottest forward and hottest big man.

These players are playing excellent ball under pressure, and as a result their teams are still alive and kicking in the 2013 NBA playoffs.

Hottest Guard: Mike Conley, PG, Memphis Grizzlies

Stephen Curry was brilliant this postseason, but his Golden State Warriors couldn't stop the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

Conley has been just as impressive for the Grizzlies, and he's moving on to face the Spurs in the Western Conference finals.

The Grizzlies point guard has raised his game to another level during his team's postseason run. His points (17.6), assists (7.6) and rebounds (4.8) are all up, and he's actually turning the ball over less in the playoffs than he did during the regular season.

With an ability to create his own shot, Conley keeps defenses off balance because he can also make big plays when driving in the lane. He can beat teams by scoring inside, but he's equally adept at hitting open teammates outside when the defense sucks into the lane to stop him. 

As good as Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph have been, Conley is the catalyst for Memphis' postseason success.

Honorary Mention: Tony Parker, PG, San Antonio Spurs

Hottest Forward: LeBron James, SF, Miami Heat

As if any other forward could possibly be ahead of James right now...

Truth be told, no other player compares to James at any position. He's simply the best player in the world, and he's been phenomenal during the playoffs this year for the Heat.

The Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls specifically game-planned against James. They tried to clog up the lane and force him to rely on his teammates, but he still managed to have his way on the offensive end more often than not.  

James is averaging 24 points, 7.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest. He's hitting nearly 52 percent of all his field-goal attempts, which is remarkable for a player who shoots as many outside shots as he does.

The most impressive aspect of James' game these days, however, is his ability to dominate on the defensive side. He's a formidable presence in the paint, can run down anyone from behind on fast breaks and is adept at getting into passing lanes for timely steals.

Nobody compares to James right now, and it appears he's ready to win another championship in 2013.

Honorable Mention: Carmelo Anthony, SF, New York Knicks

Hottest Big Man: Tim Duncan, PF, San Antonio Spurs

It's hard to believe that Duncan is still capable of playing at such a high level at his age. Duncan is 37 years old, but he's outplaying young men who are darn near half his age.

Even on nights when Duncan isn't hitting his shots, he seems to somehow conjure up 16-plus points and 10 rebounds. To this point in the playoffs, "The Big Fundamental" is putting up 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, one block and one steal per game. 

Watching the old man perform with such consistency from night to night is a study in perfect mechanics and peerless character. He's always in the right place at the right time, always stays respectful of his opponents and the referees and still takes instruction as if he were a rookie.

He's a dominant presence on both ends of the court, and until he retires, the Spurs will be a title contender every single year.

Honorable Mention: Zach Randolph, PF, Memphis Grizzlies

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