NBA Playoffs 2011: Ray Allen, Dwight Howard, LeBron & the All-First Round Team
As April and the first round of the 2011 NBA playoffs comes to a close, we salute the players that have performed at the highest level on the brightest stage thus far.
Whether it's a dominating superstar, a proven veteran experiencing a rebirth, or a role player on a hot streak, these 12 players come together to form the ultimate first round roster.
Join B/R as we journey through the NBA playoffs All-First Round starting five, and its bench
Point Guard: Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)
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OK, so Derrick Rose is a lock for the league's MVP and played out of his mind in Chicago's 4-1 series win over Indiana. But hey, it's the 37-45 Pacers.
Chris Paul is putting up monster numbers while leading the under-manned Hornets to two wins over the two-time defending champion Lakers.
Paul is averaging 24.4 PPG and 11.6 APG in five games against Los Angeles, including a memorable 33-point, 14-assist effort in New Orleans' Game 1 win on the road.
Paul is shooting over 55 percent from the field and better than 47 percent from beyond the arc, all while averaging more than 41 minutes per game for the David West-less Hornets.
Shooting Guard: Ray Allen (Boston Celtics)
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Yes, you read that right. 35-year-old Ray Allen is the starting two-guard for the All-First Round team.
Allen has been playing more like Jesus Shuttlesworth for Boston this postseason, averaging 22.0 PPG while shooting over 65 percent from 3-point territory (100 percent from the foul line).
Allen has also averaged 40 minutes per game for the Celtics in their first four playoff games against the Knicks.
I know you're thinking Kobe right now, but the "Black Mamba" has actually struggled in Los Angeles' first five playoff games.
Bryant is averaging 22 PPG, but shooting low percentages from both the field and behind the 3-point line.
Small Forward: Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
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Durant has been the engine, transmission and the wheels for the Thunder this postseason.
KD posted 41 points in Oklahoma City's series-deciding Game 5 win over Denver, proving he's ready for the next level, what ever that is exactly.
Durant is the postseason's leading scorer, averaging over 32 PPG in five games. The 6'10" scoring machine's game doesn't end there though.
Durant can rebound like a big and pass like a guard, making him the must-see TV event of these 2011 NBA playoffs.
Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)
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So there hasn't exactly been an outstanding power forward in the 2011 playoffs, yet.
Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka has averaged a solid double-double, but is taking (and missing) a lot of shots for a big man.
Nowitzki continues to be just what the doctor ordered for the curious Dallas Mavericks.
Nowitzki is averaging 26.2 PPG and 7.2 RPG for Dallas as they lead Portland 3-2 after five games.
Nowitzki is shooting 50 percent from downtown, making him an extremely difficult match up for any team, and shooting better than 86 percent at the foul line, making him downright unguardable.
Center: Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
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"Superman" has lived up to his title this postseason even though his team has not.
Dwight Howard is averaging a Chamberlain-esque (OK I'm getting ahead of myself) 27.4 PPG and 15.6 RPG for Orlando in these playoffs.
However the Magic still trail 3-2 in their first round series.
Howard is making the most of his offensive opportunities as well, shooting better than 64 percent from the field this postseason while averaging 42 minutes per contest.
At least Howard's game is developing, even if his playoff beard is not.
Bench: Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
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Do Derrick Rose's numbers really matter?
You don't have to be a basketball expert to understand that Rose has carried the 2010-2011 Chicago Bulls, through the regular season, and through their first round playoff series.
The future league MVP is the postseason's second-leading scorer and the playoffs' steals leader.
Bench: LeBron James (Miami Heat)
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If you're anything like me, you've grown used to seeing LeBron James do whatever he wants on the basketball court.
James remains one of the most statistically-talented players in the league, even in the playoffs.
James' numbers need not be mentioned, but why not. Twenty-six points per game and 10 RPG from the small forward position is pretty special.
Just waiting on the ring.
Bench: Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics)
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There seemed to be a lot of disappointment and concern around Rondo before Boston's first round match up with New York.
Four games later he is being mentioned in the same breath as Rose and Paul.
Fresh off a sweeping of the division-rival Knicks, Rondo is leading the postseason in assists while averaging a near triple-double (just 2.7 RPG shy).
Bench: Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies)
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Pau who?
Brother Marc Gasol has averaged a double-double in five games against the greatest power forward of all-time (Tim Duncan, granted he's no longer a spring chicken).
Gasol has led Memphis, with the help of Mike Conley and Zach Randolph, to a 3-2 series lead over the might Spurs.
Gasol is averaging 14.6 PPG and 12.2 RPG in Memphis' first round series, reeling in 17 boards on two occasions.
If nothing else the 26-year-old is outshining his two-time world champion brother.
Bench: Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics)
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Kevin Garnett was everything the Celtics needed and more in their first round series with the Knicks.
Garnett averaged 2 steals per game while maintaining a double-double in points and rebounds.
KG is shooting 92.3 percent from the foul line in this postseason, and will no doubt be key for Boston if they hope to challenge the Lakers for the NBA crown again this spring.
Bench: Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)
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Melo's LeBron-esque 26 and 10 double-double average this postseason may have been short-lived, but it lived nonetheless.
Anthony only dropped in about 8 of his 22 field goal attempts per game, but gave New York a puncher's chance against Boston.
Chauncey Billups and Amar'e Stoudemire both battled injuries which made this series much more lackluster than anticipated.
Still, Carmelo came to New York for 42-point playoff games, and he did just that in the first round.
Bench: Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics)
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I know what you're thinking, another Celtic?
Well they were the only team to sweep their first round series this postseason.
They continue to win when it matters most, both when expectations are high, and when they are low. That has to count for something.
However Boston's success will always start and end with "The Truth."
Paul Pierce has led his historic franchise to the conference semi-finals for the fourth consecutive season, and will have a chance (with the help of Allen, Rondo and Garnett) to take out the new Big Three.
Patrick Clarke is a Featured Columnist for the Phoenix Suns and a student at Towson University.
