NBA Playoffs 2011: Kobe, LeBron and the Top 10 Players in the 2011 Playoffs
The regular season concludes this week, and as the offseason begins for 14 unlucky franchises, the journey for basketball's ultimate prize begins for 16 others.
The matchups are not set in stone yet, but the 16 contenders are locked in. Chicago, Miami, Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Indiana, San Antonio, Dallas, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Denver, Portland, Memphis and New Orleans will all tip off their quests this weekend when the postseason begins.
But until then, let us educate ourselves on some of the superstars who will be taking center stage for the next two months. Join B/R as we count down the top 10 players in the playoffs.
No. 10: Zach Randolph (Memphis Grizzlies)
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Zach Randolph had a fantastic 2010-2011 regular season with the Grizzlies. Randolph is averaging a double-double for the sixth time in his past 10 seasons overall.
Randolph is both an offensive weapon for Memphis, scoring over 20.0 points per game this season, and a monster on the glass, averaging more than 12.0 rebounds per game in 2010-2011.
Randolph's Grizzlies are 12 games above .500, they have clinched a playoff berth and they are on the brink of claiming the Western Conference's No. 7 seed without injured star Rudy Gay, who has been out since mid-February.
No. 9: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers)
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Arguably the heart and soul of Portland, LaMarcus Aldridge has led the injury-ridden Trail Blazers into the playoffs for the third straight season. Aldridge is having a career year, averaging 21.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, both career highs.
Portland's go-to guy, Brandon Roy, had a shaky season while dealing with some knee issues, so it's been LaMarcus Aldridge's show in 2010-2011, resulting in what looks to be a No. 6 seed in the Western Conference for the Trail Blazers.
Aldridge was snubbed from the Western Conference All-Star team this season, and he will surely have something to say about that this postseason.
No. 8: Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)
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Dirk Nowitzki has been on the doorstep of greatness, but was denied back in 2006 when his Dallas Mavericks couldn't close out the Miami Heat after being up 2-0. Sorry, Mavs fans.
Last season, Nowitzki's Mavs flamed out in the first round to No. 7 seed San Antonio, a division rival.
This season, Nowitzki has Dallas back in position to make a run at the title. Dallas is poised to clinch the West's No. 2 seed and will likely have home-court advantage through the first two rounds.
Nowitzki's numbers this season are not exactly jaw-dropping, but the veteran forward still managed almost 23.0 points and reeled in 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting over 89 percent from the free-throw line.
No. 7: Amar'e Stoudemire (New York Knicks)
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Amar'e Stoudemire made New York Knicks basketball relevant again.
Stoudemire teamed up with former Suns head coach, Mike D'Antoni, and later with Carmelo Anthony to bring a playoff appearance to the Big Apple.
Stoudemire looked like an MVP candidate early in the season, but has since come back down to earth. STAT (Standing Tall and Talented) is averaging 25.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks this season with the Knicks, who will likely be taking on the Boston Celtics in the first round.
Stoudemire proved many basketball fans wrong who thought he wouldn't be able to produce at such a high level without two-time MVP Steve Nash feeding him on the pick-and-roll.
No. 6: Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
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While some may argue that Kevin Durant is far and away the Thunder's most valuable player, others would say it's point guard Russell Westbrook that drives Oklahoma City.
Westbrook is having an absurd season with the Thunder, averaging 21.9 points, 8.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds, all the while shooting a superb 84 percent from the foul line.
The Thunder won the Northwest Division in large part to Westbrook and now find themselves battling for the West's No. 2 seed on the last day of the regular season. They are assured home-court advantage in the first round, something they did not have last April when they bowed out to the eventual champion L.A. Lakers in six games.
No. 5: Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs)
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Manu Ginobili has been the foundation for the league-leading Spurs this season. Ginobili is averaging a very modest 17.6 points in 2010-2011, along with 3.7 rebounds and a career high 5.0 assists.
With the help of Ginobili, San Antonio is on the brink of wrapping up home-court advantage throughout the entire postseason. The Spurs have only lost five home games all season.
Ginobili's consistent high level of play, even after so many ankle injuries, is a testament to his work ethic and that of the Spurs. Just last May, San Antonio was swept from the playoffs by the Phoenix Suns and had experts wondering about the future of the Spurs' big three.
No. 4: Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
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This season's trades have changed the look and feel of the Orlando Magic, but the one constant, Dwight Howard, has kept the franchise competitive and a contender for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
The Magic are locked into the Eastern Conference's No. 4 seed and will likely have a first-round matchup with the Atlanta Hawks starting this weekend. Howard will no doubt be the most impactful player in the series, considering he is a legitimate MVP candidate in 2010-2011.
Howard is averaging 23 points, a career high, and 14.1 rebounds to go along with his ridiculous 2.4 blocks per game. Howard was the anchor for Orlando's defense back in 2009 when he led them all the way to the NBA Finals, and this year should be no different.
No. 3: LeBron James (Miami Heat)
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OK, before you rip me to no end for leaving Dwyane Wade off of this list, LeBron James is clearly the better player and they both play for Miami.
James averaged a sickening 26.7 points, 7.0 assists and 7.5 rebounds this season, something that has only been done by a handful of players, including the likes of Larry Legend and the Big O.
Let that sink in for a minute.
James has his hands full, however, heading into the postseason with a Miami team that has lacked a supporting cast at times and relies too heavily on its big three on occasion. The Heat have the talent to win it all, on paper, but the games are played on hardwood.
No. 2: Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
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Kobe gets the nod over LeBron because, after all, the Lakers are the two-time defending NBA champions. Kobe is and always will be there in the waning moments of a basketball game. It does not matter how many shots he has made or missed—the Black Mamba makes believers out of his enemies, trust me.
Kobe has had another MVP-worthy season with the Lakers, posting 25.2 points, 4.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds as a shooting guard.
Look out, Jordan—one more ring and Kobe will have officially put his name in the conversation.
Greatest of all-time?
No. 1: Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
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Derrick Rose is more than likely your 2010-2011 NBA MVP. Rose led the Chicago Bulls to their first 60-win season since MJ did it back in 1998.
The Bulls hold the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed and will have home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. Rose's ridiculous season was made even sweeter because it came on the heels of adversity.
Injuries to key players could not stop the Bulls from claiming the Eastern Conference's top spot—more importantly, they couldn't stop Rose. The explosive point guard is averaging more than 25 points, 7.8 assists and 4.1 rebounds in just his third NBA season with Chicago.
Expect to see a lot of Derrick Rose this postseason. Chicago's No. 1 made the Bulls relevant for the first time since basketball's greatest player suited up in the red and black, and that has to count for something.
Patrick Clarke is a Featured Columnist for the Phoenix Suns and a student at Towson University.
