NBA Playoffs 2011: Top Seed Disappointment, Dwight Howard and First Impressions
The first weekend of NBA playoff action is in the books and what have we learned? Plenty. For one, we now know that Atlanta is ready for the postseason despite sleep-walking down the stretch of the regular season.
We know that the no team is unbeatable (ahem, Lakers and Spurs), and we know that Derrick Rose is pretty amazing. But that's not all.
Join B/R as we take a look at some of the biggest impressions left by the 2011 playoffs first three days of action.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook Will Take Oklahoma City Far
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Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant was nothing short of superb Sunday night in the Thunder's 107-103 win over the Nuggets. Durant awoke in the third quarter with a flurry of three-pointers.
Durant got help from point guard Russell Westbrook in the form of 31 points and 3-for-4 shooting from downtown.
At the end of the night, Durant would finish with 41 points and nine rebounds. Westbrook added in seven assists and six boards, bringing the duo's total to 72 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists.
Is the Big Two Enough?
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Tim Duncan is a shadow of his former self at age 34. The future Hall of Famer has struggled in 2010-2011 against the Grizzlies and played solid in Game 1, unfortunately Tony Parker's 20-point performance wasn't enough to overcome the loss of Manu Ginobili, the third wheel.
Ginobili has been the Spurs most consistent performer this season and San Antonio is a much different team without him on the floor.
Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol give the Grizzlies the frontcourt advantage in this series, so guard play will be key for the Spurs.
Chris Paul Is Still a MVP Candidate
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Even though the Lakers backed into the postseason and the West's No. 2 seed, no sane person would have them trailing the David West-less Hornets in a playoff series.
But that's just the case after Chris Paul, almost an afterthought this season because of the phenomenal point guard play, led New Orleans to a nine-point win over the two-time defending champions.
Paul racked up 33 points, 14 dimes and seven rebounds in the process, and has given the No. 7 seeded Hornets homecourt advantage in their first playoff series since 2008.
Who Said Dirk Nowitzki Isn't Clutch?
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Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs awoke in the most critical quarter of a basketball game, the fourth. Nowitzki chipped in 18 of his game-high 28 points in the last 12 minutes of the Mavs Game 1 win over the Trail Blazers.
Nowitzki was a perfect 13-of-13 from the foul line for the game and Dallas won with defense, holding Portland to just 81 points.
Oh yeah, and he grabbed 10 vital rebounds, as the Mavs were out-rebounded 40-39 on the night.
Dwight Howard Needs Help
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Orlando's Dwight Howard had one of the most epic performances in NBA playoff history this weekend, unfortunately the Magic fell at home to the curious Atlanta Hawks.
Howard posted 46 points and 19 rebounds in the loss, somehow a double-double just doesn't do it justice. Point guard Jameer Nelson added 27 points, but that's where it ended for the home team.
The rest of the Magic combined for 20 points. No other player scored more than six points and three players went scoreless.
Just Give Him the MVP Already
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Derrick Rose has been hands down the postseason's brightest-shining star. The former Memphis Tiger is averaging over 37 points per game for the Bulls, as they lead their first round series 2-0.
Rose is also averaging seven rebounds and six assists per game with a backcourt that features the likes of Keith Bogans and Ronnie Brewer (combined seven points in Game 2).
There seems to be some discussion regarding the MVP race and who it should be, but really people?
The Big Three Are Tuned In, Look out 76ers, NBA
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The Miami Heat are fresh off their dismantling of the Philadelphia 76ers, who seemed like a decent playoff team before the playoffs actually began.
Amar'e Stoudemire Is the Total Package, but We Knew That
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The brilliant play of Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire was overshadowed by the disappointing play of Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony.
Stoudemire scored a game-high 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field, but did not receive the ball down the stretch when New York needed buckets the most.
Instead, Carmelo Anthony took it upon himself to worsen his field goal percentage with tough contested jump shots, including a game-winning attempt in the waning seconds, which clanked off the front of the rim.
Stoudemire showed his whole arsenal on Sunday night, abusing Kevin Garnett on both ends of the floor. Credit the Celtics for squeezing out the win, but a three-point lead with less than a minute 40 seconds left should be protected in the playoffs.
Patrick Clarke is a Featured Columnist for the Phoenix Suns and a student at Towson University.
