NBA Superheroes

With the blockbuster that Joe Dumars engineered, trading Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess for Allen Iverson, it signifies the end of the Piston's T-E-A-M era. AI is a bona fide superstar and a certified future Hall Of Famer, for all his flaws and detractors, no one can question that AI is one of the best shooting guards of all time. Although he is on the tail end of his illustrious career, he brings with him more than 20 points and five assist any given night, which is in stark contrast to the balanced Billups-Sheed-Prince-Rip core. Dumars was known to lament his lack of a superstar ala 81-LBJ-Agent Zero-Truth-Melo-D-Wade who can erupt any given night and take over the game and after a quiet off-season (signing Kwame Brown ripples do not maketh) he finally erupted with this headline grabbing deal.

Therein begs the question, is your team only as good as your best player? Looking at the latest 2008-2009 rosters, I came out with the following list of Superstars (Superheroes) and their respective side-kicks:

Category I: Cyclops & the X-Men

The leader of a very good team, poised to make a deep deep playoff run this season

1) Kevin Garnett & Boston Celtics-

The reigning NBA champions may have lost James Posey but the Big Three and The Big Ticket is still intact. With his fearsome intensity plus Wolverine (Paul Pierce) and Iceman (Ray Allen) around, any Eastern Conference Team with title aspirations would have to go through KG & the Celtics.

2) Kobe Bryant & LA Lakers-

You may hate his guts but secretly you wish he was on your team. The most complete player in the NBA has the best supporting cast in Hollywood since the Big Dog left town. Put it this way, if you can afford to leave Beast (Lamar Odom) on the bench, your team ain't too shabby.

3) Tim Duncan & San Antonio Spurs-

Crack all the jokes you want about their age and lack of flash, when their Big Three are healthy, your team better bring its A plus game. Timmie is the benchmark for all power forwards and could well be the greatest power forward of all-time when all is said and done. When Storm (Manu Ginobili) and Jean Grey (Tony Parker) are on-court as well, you have been warned, Magneto.

Near Misses- Chris Paul & New Orleans Hornets, Deron William & Utah Jazz, Yao Ming & Houston Rockets

Category II: Daredevil & um his reflexes

Who runs alongside Daredevil? Exactly. These guys are heroes doing it alone, think: Patrick Ewing

1) Lebron James & Cleveland Cavaliers-

Mo Williams and Big Z may be nice pieces but it still boils down to the King. Without LBJ, this team is not only below average, it is mired in mediocrity. Danny Ferry is running out of ideas and time.

2) Carmelo Anthony & Denver Nuggets-

'Melo may have had Camby and AI last season but it didn't stop him from being properly spanked by Kobe and friends. This year, a post-Olympics Melo may have looked stronger (ignoring the sham that was his game against the Lakers) but unless Mr Big Shot turns back the clock, 'Melo and LBJ will be mentioned in the same breath for unflattering reasons.

3) Dwyane Wade & Miami Heat

D-Wade has had a monster Olympics game refuting doubters that his best days are behind him. Is Beasley ready? What are they going to do with Marion? Is Chalmers/Quinn legit? Where is their real centre hiding? Too many questions doom Wade to another season of disappointment. They will do better than last season but only because it was really too horrific to match.

Category III: Robin & Alfred the Butler

A great super-sidekick thrust into the spotlight.

1) Dirk Nowitzki & Dallas Mavericks-

I really love Dirk. I really do, he is one of the few seven footers that can shoot, not just in the paint but anywhere. Josh Howard in spite of his attempts at mimicking Artest is a great player as well. And Kidd, I loved him, note the tense chosen. That does not change the fact that none of them are anything more than a great (and in the case of Dirk-superb) second banana.

2) Michael Redd & Milwaukee Bucks-

Redd is probably the best pure shooter in the NBA today and a walking 20 points provider on any given night. No one would compare him to MJ or Kobe though. This is no knock on him, he is one of the best player in the NBA but if you are building your franchise around him, say hi to the Clippers in lottery land.

3) Joe Johnson & Atlanta Hawks-

Just like Dirk and friends, Joe Johnson is a great player who can erupt for 30 plus points at will. The problem is, that does not happen when his opponents throw the 'Jordan rules' at him like in the series against the Celtics series last year. No shame in that, he is mortal after all.

Near Misses: Chris Bosh & Toronto Raptors, Elton Brand & Philadelphia 76-ers

Category IV: Hawkeye & the Young Avengers

These kids and their teams will challenge for the title, but not this season.

1) Brandon Roy & Portland Trailblazers

Like Roy himself, the Blazers are young, impressive and raw. Still, with their brilliant front office and great coach, they will be up there with the rest of the X-men, in 2010. This team has too much talent to be counted out once the young 'uns clock some NBA mileage.

2) Derrick Rose & Chicago Bulls

In a city starved of a Superhero since No 23 retired, drafting local boy Derrick Rose was like the second coming. Rose is a great player and one of the few pass first point guards around not named Paul-Williams-Nash-Kidd. Give him sometime, he will be great and with Deng, Thomas, Nocioni, Gordon, Hinrich, Gooden, they got a good team. Maybe they need a real low-post threat to challenge the X-Men though.

3) Rudy Gay & Memphis Grizzlies

They got a lot of flak for gifting the Lakers with Pau Gasol last season but they might actually be on to something. Rudy Gay has tremendous upside and adding Marc isn't looking too bad either. With OJ Mayo and Mike Conley added to the mix, the Grizzlies may have a real chance of not anchoring the South West Division in time to come.

Near misses: Kevin Durant & OKC Thunder

Category V: Rent-a-hero

Help us keep the bench warm for 2010

1) Allen Iverson & Detroit Piston

As amazing as AI is, no one figures him to be part of Dumas' long term plans when he was traded. He may be the spark they need to push them over the top but his expiring contract should be as big an attraction as his quickness and tenacity. 'Sheed is probably nearing the end of his lease as well.

2) Vince Carter & New Jersey Nets

When you mention Vince Carter, the two most likely images that surface is the 2000 Sydney Olympics monster dunk and the 2000 All Star Slam Dunk competition. This is 2008 and he has not done anything to add to his resume. No doubt that he is a talent but I can't see him as the face of any self-respecting franchise.

3) The entire roster of New York Knicks

Starbury, anyone? Just a pack of chips would do. Hell, they will even throw in Eddy Curry for free. No? Summer of Lebron looms.........

Category VI: Americommando & the Crusaders

We are here to prop up the league

1) Monta Ellis & Golden State Warriors

What happens when your leader bolts for your division rival and his anointed heir gets suspended for injuring himself in a prohibited activity? Before you figure it out your front office squabbles gets almost as much coverage as Barack Obama and your starter publicly demands to be traded. The only demise swifter than yours is that of Lehman Brothers.

2) Gilbert Arenas & Washington Wizards

Agent Zero is a tremendous scoring threat but he can't do it from the operating theatre. Caron Butler is one of the best among the second tier superstars but Lebron won't be looking over his shoulder for Tough Juice any time soon. With Jamison and Arenas newly inked contract, they are not getting out of this quagmire any time soon.

3) Kevin Martin & Sacramento Kings

Martin has blossom into an all-around threat, he would be a nice third option for a championship contender. Beno Udrich is a nice pick up, John Salmons is a useful player and Jason Thompson is thus far shaping up to be the draft surprise. Everyone else would not be part of the rotation for a top tier team except perhaps a resurgent Brad Miller.

Near misses: Emeka Okafor & Charlotte Bobcats