The NBA All-Star Game has come and gone, and for most teams, that leaves little room for error.
From here on out, every game should be viewed as a playoff battle. It comes down to the last 30 or so games, and it will be the intangibles, grit, and determination that will propel a team to the playoffs.
The first 50 games of the NBA season gave us a various assortment of goodies.
The New Orleans Hornets atop the Western Conference. Mega-deals for several contending teams. Young superstars leading their respective franchises. Dwight Howard becoming The Man.
As the playoffs draw near, each franchise looks for a spark during this most important time. Every team has that leader who guides the way, or that up and coming player who hits his stride at just the right time. What we all want to know is, who will be the select few that can take their teams to the next level?
As we are now past the Gasol to L.A. deal and the Shaq to Phoenix trade, let’s take a look at a few others who could be responsible for shaping the final two months of the NBA season:
-Gilbert Arenas:
It’s not everyday a team looks forward to getting a 3-time all-star averaging 22.4 points and 6 assists per game at this time of the season.
Turns out, the Wizards are a lucky bunch.
Agent Zero is making his return from knee surgery after taking part in only eight games this season. The Wiz are hoping he can come back for part of the stretch run, and then make his mark come playoff time.
Coming back soon would be clutch for Washington.
And Gilbert wouldn’t have it any other way.
- Linas Kleiza:
The young Lithuanian got our attention with a 41-point outburst on January 17 against Utah.
Granted, Denver doesn't need that every game with Anthony and Iverson, but they could use a third wheel. Kleiza could be the guy to lift the scoring load a bit from the big two.
The Nuggets need as much D as possible too, something that Kleiza can also provide.
Linas could be a big part of the Nuggets plans for the last few weeks…provided he’s still a Nugget.
-Andrew Bynum:
Last year, Kobe Bryant pined for the Lakers to deal this young man for Jason Kidd because he didn’t want to wait for progress to be made by the 19 year-old.
That could take years, Kobe thought.
How about YEAR.
Before going down with a knee injury, Andrew Bynum was blossoming like a flower. A giant flower with a knack for the boards and a great post game.
If he comes back for the final run, the Lakers could be sitting pretty.
-Larry Hughes:
7-1.
When Larry Hughes shoots 50% or better from the field, the Cavaliers are 7-1 this season.
It doesn’t happen very often, as shown by his 37.6% shooting this year. But, if Hughes can find the touch down the road, he might be just what LeBron is looking for; someone else who can find the basket.
For LeBron’s sake, please find the hoop Larry.
-Peja Stojakovic:
As crazy as it may sound, he may be more important to the immediate future of the Hornets than any other player on that team.
More crucial than Chris Paul, and more pivotal than David West or Tyson Chandler.
Peja, one of the few Hornets with playoff experience, will be leaned on down the stretch to stroke the three and provide the leadership that New Orleans needs. If Stojakovic fails, the Hornets may falter.
Any lengthy losing streaks out West can be extremely damaging.
It’s up to Peja to keep the bees stinging.
-Sam Cassell:
The Clippers will not make the playoffs this year; that much we know. So how will Sam I Am make an impact on the final weeks of the season?
Well, there are a few playoff hopeful teams yearning for a tested point guard that can make a difference come the postseason.
Sure, Cassell plays for the Clippers. But that may not last long.
If the Clippers decide to buy him out, Boston, Cleveland, Phoenix, and Denver will come knocking.
Sam’s impact could figure to be huge by seasons end.
-Tracy McGrady:
He has never made it to the second round of the playoffs.
I’m sure Tracy McGrady has heard that before, but he hopes to change that this year.
With a healthy body and a healthy team in Houston, he has a chance.
As we see in the West anything can happen. Having Yao Ming helps a little too.
If McGrady can keep his team in the top eight with his uncanny knack for scoring, and with a little help from his friends, he just might be able to make it there.
- Mike Bibby:
Didn’t see that coming.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Billy Knight’s first blockbuster!
Excluding the Joe Johnson trade, the positive decisions have been few and far between for the Atlanta franchise.
With Mike Bibby now in the fold, the Hawks can smell the playoffs. For years they smelled garbage, which was most likely from the team they we’re putting out on the court.
Bibby can be the leader they have waited for since the days of Mookie Blaylock. Good luck, Mike. The Hawks need you.
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