HOOP September/October 2010

$4.99 USA

AN OFFICIAL NBA PUBLICATION

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NIKEBASKETBALL.COM

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DOMINATE WITHOUT THE WEIGHT. KD’S GAME IS HEAVY. HEA AVY. SO HIS SHOE’S GOT TO BE LIGHT. ESPECIA ESPECIALLY ALLY WHEN HE’S REPPING THE STARS AND STRIPES.

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The Point Volume 38, No. 6 Editor-in-Chief Ming Wong #2 Design Director Kengyong Shao #31 Associate Editor Seth Berkman #91 Senior Designer Matt Candela #52 Editorial Assistant Philip D’Apolito #14 Editor-at-Large Jeramie McPeek #4 Tech Editor Shane Battier #31 Style Editors Candice Wiggins #11, Zaza Pachulia #27 Straight Shooter Steve Nash #13 Videogame Editor Nate Robinson #4 Music Editors Thaddeus Young #21, Carl Landry #24 Movie Editor Danny Granger #33 Car Editor Devin Harris #34 WNBA Editor Lois Elfman #40 Senior Writer Michael Bradley #53 Contributing Writers Christopher Cason #24, Jon Cooper #10, Anthony Gilbert #1, Josh Gordon #44, Darryl Howerton #21, Andy Jasner #27, Trevor Kearney #8, Brett Mauser #25, Dave McMenamin #35, Jeff Min #12, John Nemo #16, Rob Peterson #9, Earl K. Sneed #23 Design Intern Jocelyn Chuang #3 Retired Numbers #6, #11, #13, #30, #99 Professional Sports Publications

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Executive VP Operations Jeff Botwinick Executive VP, Business Development Martin Lewis Executive VP, Sales Steve Farkas Executive VP, Sales Mitch Gibbs Executive VP, Team Relations Dave Gerschwer Executive Administrative Director Julie Wong Manager, Marketing Services Aron Sawyer Production Manager Jaime Ziegler

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Senior VP, and Executive Producer, Production, Programming, and Broadcasting Danny Meiseles Senior VP, Multimedia Production Paul Hirschheimer Senior VP, Entertainment & Player Marketing Charlie Rosenzweig Senior VP, Marketing Communications Mike Bass Senior Director, NBAE Production John Hareas Executive Vice President, Global Merchandising Group Sal LaRocca Vice President, Licensing Mary Pat Gillin Senior Coordinator, Licensing Tom Cerabino Manager, Global Media Programs Felecia Groomster Senior Directors & Senior Official NBAE Photographers Andrew D. Bernstein, Nathaniel S. Butler Senior Director, NBA Photos Joe Amati Director, Photos Imaging David Bonilla Official NBAE Photographer Jesse Garrabrant Senior Photo Editor Brian Choi Photo Coordinator Kevin Wright All NBA photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of NBA Entertainment. All WNBA photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of WNBA Enterprises. All NBDL photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of NBDL Enterprises. HOOP is published monthly, December through June, by PSP. © 2010 Professional Sports Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of publisher is prohibited. To subscribe to HOOP, call (800) 829-3347.

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In today’s world, what you’re doing right now—enjoying this magazine1—seems BONUS POINTS antiquated. I’ll be the first to admit, as an instrument to deliver news, it’s dated. Hell, 1. There are some of you out there still. I have an ornately decorated rock from a fan it was dated even before the machine puts ink to paper.2 In a time when people (thank you, Dr. HMJazz #24 of San Diego, get their up-to-the-second news via the Internet, Facebook posts3 and tweets, CA) to prove it. something as analog as a printed magazine makes as much sense as having to 2. For all you know, by the time you read this, return a VHS movie to the video store and making sure it’s been rewound.4 nothing on this page might matter.

But there’s a new trend these days. The backlash to the backlash is taking place.

3. For some, too much information.

You see it everywhere. People aren’t enamored with quick and easy food; organic, 4. I actually remember a few occasions of local and artisanal are the buzzwords in the gastronomical world. Film buffs are turning around back home to rewind my copy longing for gritty motion pictures driven by good dialogue, deep characters and an of White Men Can’t Jump so I don’t get slapped engaging plot in lieu of slap-it-together Bruckheimer productions featuring beautiful with a $.50 fee. people, explosions and the requirement of 3D glasses5 to partake. Even the 5. Do we really need schlock like Step Up, Saw basketball world has had enough of the showmanship6 of streetball and come back and Jackass in three dimensions? to embrace the roots and fundamentals7 of the game.

6. I dig the pageantry of streetball until you Of course I might be labeled as a bit biased in this argument. But as I head into start bending rules to the game. my 10th year8 of covering the NBA in print form, I’ve noticed a few things: a good 7. More than ever, fans appreciate simple magazine feature always bests an equally well-written, researched and compelling things like a perfectly executed pick n’ roll or piece done for the Interwebs. Yes, the print version might have a few outdated points, but it’s more impactful. There’s something about having the magazine in your fastbreak, a picturesque jumpshot or even a textbook defensive rotation. hands, turning the pages, touching the paper, taking in the design and marriage 8. If I were an NBA player, I’d be entitled of words and pictures on print, smelling the ink on a freshly minted copy,9 the permanence of a finished product that takes time to digest. It’s everything the quick- to a maximum salary of 35 percent of the salary cap. hitting, accessibility, timeliness of the Internet isn’t. Yes, magazine lack features that 9. It’s on par with the unmistakable smell of technology brings: instantaneous updates, video, interactivity, the ability to share opening up a fresh and crispy box housing the content. For all of the wonderful possibilities the Internet brings, there’s just new sneakers. something fleeting10 and rushed about the medium. It’s here one second and off to 10. Internet time operates about 20 times the the archives in minutes.

No, I’m not pooh-poohing on websites, blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds and speed of real time.

11. 1/1000 of a second, to be precise.

YouTube videos, apps, digital mags and other newfangled discoveries dedicated 12. Without the distraction of another click that to basketball. I frequent and rely on a lot of them and find much inspiration from compels you on the ADD-addled Internet. the good ones out there. We even have a humble website, Facebook page, Twitter account and working on a digital version of HOOP. Technological advancements are great and absolutely necessary in today’s media landscape, but my first love is still the archaic bundle of printed and bounded paper in your hands.

Which brings me to our annual Greatest Hits issue for a look back at the past season in pictures. Sure, you might not get the full glory of a moment of play that a video can capture. But you do get in a single photograph the essence of what took place; it allows you to fully immerse yourself at your own pace into a true moment in time, freeze-framed11 for you to pick over.12 No clicking or scrolling required, no need for an update of Flash and yes, most of the captions will be over 140 characters.

Ming Wong #2

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The 2009 Lakers Championship ring—specifically Finals MVP Kobe Bryant’s—was shown before an opening night matchup in L.A. between the Clippers and Lakers.

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Deron Williams took a break from the action and decided to chill with the Utah faithful. The NBA...it’s fan-tastic!

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Prodigal son Allen Iverson returned to a sold-out crowd in Philadelphia with the Sixers where he spent the first 10-plus years of his career.

A.I. finished the game with 11 points and 6 assists in 37 minutes in a losing effort. The Answer was home, but not for long as he took an indefinite leave from the 76ers in late February due to personal reasons.

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Kevin Durant finished the season as the NBA’s youngest scoring champion ever at 21 with an average of 30.1 points.

The previous record was held by Max Zaslofsky who was 22 when he won the scoring title in 1947-48.

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Kobe Bryant

The debate is over. Squashed. Evict Puppet LeBron from the Nike house. After this season, there is no doubt who is the top dog in the League.

Kobe Bryant might have paled in comparison to LeBron in the superficial things—scoring, triple-doubles, big dunks and commercials. Kobe didn’t lead his Lakers to 61 wins and garner a second MVP trophy. What he did do was less noticeable, and infinitely more impactful. He played all season with an right index finger so mangled and ravaged by arthritis that the digit will likely require a support brace every time he steps onto a court and ail him for the rest of his life. He soldiered on, rarely ever bringing it up and certainly never using it for an excuse (oh wait, he didn’t need one as his respectable 46 percent shooting and too-many-to-count gamechanging and game-ending daggers can attest). Dude had to endure bouts of treatment to reduce swelling.

We’re not talking cushy modern therapy of electrical nodes or even ice downs while going through your iPod playlist; Kobe sat through tear-inducing medieval “treatment” that consisted of Lakers trainer Gary Vitti manually applying pressure to the already fractured finger like he was trying to get the last squeeze of toothpaste out of the tube. Imagine trying to play basketball against the world’s elite, against young bucks looking to take down the now-undisputed champ nightin and night-out, with an index finger bandaged up to the point where it resembled a second thumb on your hand (just peep the photo). Now imagine trying to unlearn a lifetime of shooting a certain way and relearning a new way to shoot, one that requires more pressure on the thumb and middle finger, smack dab in midseason. No need to imagine; Kobe did just that. This injury happened in early December; he finished the month as the Western Conference Player of the Month. And we know how he ended June.

Kobe’s index finger probably won’t allow him to ever naturally fill his right hand with the five rings he’s earned, but we’re going to guess that’s fine by him.

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Pistons second-round pick Jonas Jerebko was a pleasant rookie surprise. The Swedish forward started 73 games for Detroit and outperformed fellow bigs firstround pick Austin Daye and free-agent signee Charlie Villanueva with his energy, hustle and tough man-to-man defense.

Jerebko was also part of the Rookie team that defeated the Sophomores during the annual challenge at All-Star; the first win for the rooks in seven years.

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09-10 GREATEST HITS No, it’s still the NBA and not the WWE. Manu Ginobili simply pump-faked—OK, really pump-faked—L.A. Clippers Eric Gordon into the foul.

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The consummate professional, Grant Hill keeps chugging along. The aging forward has enjoyed his streak of good health lately as the past two seasons he’s been able to play in 163 of the possible 164 games, which included 81 starts in ’09’10, the most he’s made since his days with Detroit in ’97-’98. At 37 his best days are obviously behind him, but Hill’s leadership is second to none and he was still able to log 30 minutes a game with a Suns team that went to the Western Conference Finals.

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Ray Allen set a new Finals record for three-pointers made in a game with eight in the Celtics 103-94 win in L.A. finishing with 32 points on the night.

He broke the record previously shared by himself, Scottie Pippen and Kenny Smith.

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Phoenix donned its “Los Suns� jerseys on Cinco de Mayo for Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals vs.

San Antonio. The decision was made by the organization to protest the controversial Arizona immigration law.

Los Suns went on to win 110-102 in Phoenix to take a dos-0 series lead.

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COMING THIS OCTOBER FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.COM/NBAONTNT TM & © 2010 Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. ©Copyright 2010 NBAE. Photo: John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated, Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE Getty Images

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Chris Paul was on his way to another All-NBA season until a meniscus tear in his left knee midseason limited him to only 45 games. However, CP3’s rookie understudy Darren Collison burst onto the scene averaging 18.8 points and 9.1 assists as a starter in Paul’s absence.

An offseason trade means Collison will no longer be under Paul’s tutelage net season but hopefully he’s gleaned enough to forge his own All-Star path as Indiana’s new point guard.

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David Lee had a night to remember on April 2 when he finished with 37 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career triple-double. Not only that, but the Knickerbocker was the first NBA player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it in 1976 to have at least 30 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a single game.

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Minnesota’s Corey Brewer had some serious air over a hapless Derek Fisher to put home one of the most impressive slams of the year.

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The ’09-10 season had the makings of a dream season for LeBron. In a perfect world, he would’ve led the Cavs to the best record in the L, copped a second consecutive MVP, flick away all takers in the playoffs, meet Kobe in the Finals, finally earning the crown that befits his nickname while ending the Kobe-Bron debate, shedding the city of Cleveland of many years of sports tragedies and leaving as a parting gift they’ll never forget before they begrudgingly, tearfully, but at the same time, graciously, let him leave Ohio for South Florida. That would’ve been the ideal exit for the hometown kid. Things were on track until the Eastern Conference Semis and the rest is prime time TV history.

But let’s not forget the amazing season the artist formerly known as #23 put together: 29.7 ppg, 8.6 apg, 7.3 rpg. Throw in a 1.6 steals and a block each night, along with a Maurice Podoloff Trophy. LeBron’s ’09-10 is up there with the some of the greatest individual seasons in history—Wilt’s 50 ppg/25 rpg (and 100-point game) and Big O’s trip-dub season in ’61-62, MJ’s 32/8/8 in ’88-89, Bird’s ’84-85 (29 ppg/10 rpg/6 apg/1.6 spg/1.2 bpg while shooting 52 percent from field, 43 from three and 88 from line) or Magic’s 24/12/6 ’86-87 season.

The ensuing public divorce from Cleveland has made many people forget LeBron’s brilliance in his final run as a Cav, but like the way he left, it was one for the ages.

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09-10 GREATEST HITS The Nets set the franchise mark for worst record at 12 wins 70 losses. New Jersey’s previous low was in ’89-90 when it went 17-65. The Nets also came within three losses of the NBA record set by the Philadelphia 76ers in ’72-73 when that team went 9-73.

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Memphis had its best season since ’06 when the team won 49 games and made the playoffs. The ‘09-10 version of the Grizzlies had a decent chance to finish with a winning record for the first time in four years before going 2-9 in their last 11 to end the year 40-42. A big part of the turnaround was a rejuvenated Zach Randolph who put up 20 and 11 and led the League in offensive rebounds, and also Rudy Gay who has now averaged at least 18.9 ppg his last three seasons and he’s still considered by many to not have reached his full stride yet as a player.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder sure had a season to remember. With a starting lineup that averaged 23.2 years of age, and keep in mind that third overall pick James Harden and fellow rookie Serge Ibaka were only 20 coming off the bench, the Thunder won 50 games en route to its first playoff appearance since relocating from Seattle. Led by Russell Westbrook’s defense and playmaking ability and Kevin Durant’s ability to light up the scoreboard for 30 a night, this young nucleus can be a force for some time if it stays intact.

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You never know what to expect with Shaq these days (much like this no-look pass), but the 38-year-old showed he still has some diesel fuel left in the tank.

O’Neal averaged 12 points and 6 boards in limited time with the Cavs. His veteran presence in the paint should still help his new teammates in Boston win as well as aid his own personal quest for a fifth ring.

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Kevin Garnett put up some of his lowest numbers since his rookie year this past season, but in no way did that hinder the Celtics. KG battled through injuries most of the season but still was able to deliver most when it counts, stepping his game up for the playoffs, leading Boston to a Finals that could have went either way.

Garnett’s seen better days, but there are still 29 other teams in the League that would love to have him on their side.

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The ever-elusive mascot of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Moondog, evoked a swing-and-a-miss from Dwight Howard.

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With their penchant for elaborate pregame routines, animated celebrations and a raucous bench, the Cavaliers were one of the most tight-knit and happy bunches. Even the simple act of helping a fallen teammate—in this case, Daniel Gibson—is cause for some antics.

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In December, The Washington Wizards unveiled a court logo and a jersey patch that were adorned for the remainder of the season to remember longtime team owner Abe Pollin. Pollin died on November 24 due to a rare brain disease.

At the time he was in his 46th season with the team, which made him the longesttenured owner in the NBA. Ned Dishman/NBAE/Getty Images

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HOW WILL YOU

TAKE OVER?

IN STORES NOW 2KTAKEOVER.COM

Search for more detailed rating summaries at www.esrb.org

*According to 2008-09 Gamerankings.com and NPD data. ©2009Take-TwoInteractiveSoftwareanditssubsidiaries.Allrightsreserved.2KSports,the2KSportslogo,andTake-TwoInteractiveSoftwarearealltrademarksand/orregisteredtrademarksofTake-TwoInteractiveSoftware,Inc.The NBA and individual NBA member team identifications used on or in this product are trademarks, copyrights designs and other forms of intellectual property of NBA Properties, Inc. and the respective NBA member teams and may not be used, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of NBA Properties, Inc. © 2009 NBA Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. The PlayStation Network Logo is a service mark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo. The ratings icon is a registered trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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09-10 GREATEST HITS On April 7, Warriors head coach Don Nelson became the NBA’s all-time winningest coach in the team’s win against the Timberwolves passing Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens’ previous record of 1,332 wins.

Nellie has also coached the Bucks, Knicks and Mavericks and is a three-time NBA Coach of the Year.

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Kevin Love...to rebound. Seriously, the forward just gobbles them at a rate of 11 per game.

Even more impressive is that Love was primarily a bench player who averages 28.6 minutes per contest. Another thing Love loves to do is to throw outlet passes. Despite his sophomore status, Love is already one of the best at starting the break with a crisp pass.

After a rebound, natch.

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LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to record 15,000 career points when he scored 29 in a win against the Bulls on March 19.

LeBron did it at 25 years and 75 days breaking the record previously held by Kobe Bryant who managed 15K in 27 years and 136 days.

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Dwight Howard

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In today’s NBA it’s rare to find the prototypical dominant center of years past. Think Wilt, Russ, Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq—guys who set camp in the paint and intimidated any that dared to venture close. The position has become a wasteland of more out of position power forwards and less legitimate pivot men each and every year. But what’s a norm without an exception? This exception just happens to have been the only player in League history to lead the League in field-goal percentage, total rebounds and blocks. Something he accomplished this past season while doing the dirty work in the paint. And yes, while it may be true that the dearth of formidable bigs on the low block may make life a little bit easier for Dwight Howard, we’re not convinced they’d pose much of a threat to him anyway.

We can talk individual records with Howard all day—there’s double-doubles, youngest to do [fill in blank], franchise leader in that. But what makes him a part of the NBA’s elite is without a doubt his ability to consistently win games. The Orlando Magic won 59 times in addition to a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in ’09-10. Despite the success at such a young age, Howard will be the first to tell you he still has plenty of room to improve his overall game and take his team to the next level. Consider the fact that he led the League in total fouls, shot a terrible 59.2 from the line and committed 3.3 turnovers per and still secured his annual spot on the All-NBA First Team last year a testament to just how dominant he is in the other aspects of his game.

The one they call Superman works with Magic assistant coach and NBA 50 Greatest center Patrick Ewing on a routine basis to try and eliminate some kryptonite in his game. If he can pick up a more refined and complete arsenal of moves in the low post coupled with a Ewing-like stroke from the free-throw line, then rest of the East just got a whole lot easier. It might be a bit premature to lump him in with the all-time greats after just six seasons, and he’ll be just 25 in December, but at this pace the pantheon of great centers will have to make some room for its newest member.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton remembered legendary UCLA coach John Wooden during Game 2 of the Finals two days after his passing. Wooden won an unprecedented 10 National Championships in a 12-year span with the Bruins, and Wooden disciples AbdulJabbar and Walton will be the first to tell you that he taught them valuable lessons they will remember for life.

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09-10 GREATEST HITS The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Class of 2010 held in Indianapolis included Larry Bird, representing the 1992 Olympic Team, Walt Bellamy, representing the 1960 Olympic Team, Scottie Pippen, Robert Hurley, Cynthia Cooper, Donna Johnson, representing her husband Dennis Johnson, and Terry Johnson representing his brother, Gus Johnson.

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Samuel Dalembert presented a check on behalf of himself, the NBA and the Philadelphia 76ers for $22,500 to the Red Cross to aid his native country of Haiti prior to the Sixers’ game vs. the Suns in March.

Dalembert went on to win the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his “outstanding service and dedication to the community” of Haiti with his relief efforts.

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The reigning Most Improved Player from ’08-09 proved his breakthrough year was no fluke as he’s averaged at least 24 points and 2.5 from long-distance the past two seasons.

Although Granger’s had trouble staying healthy recently, and the Pacers have struggled as a result, he’s always shows flashes of the talent that made him an All-Star back in 2009.

With that sweet looking J, there’s no doubt our movie editor should make it back sooner than later.

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Stephen Curry proved to be a perfect match in Golden State with Don Nelson’s uptempo offense. The sharpshooter from Davidson (he apparently can pull off a formidable crossover) finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting with averages of 17.5 points, 5.9 dimes, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and hit 2.1 threes per contest. Combined with Monta Ellis, the Warriors’ backcourt has some of the most potent offensive firepower in the League, and could for a while with both players under 25.

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09-10 GREATEST HITS After a pair of NCAA championships at Florida, Joakim Noah didn’t quite live up to his lofty expectations in his first two pro seasons with the Bulls. That changed in ’09-10. When it comes to Noah, it might not always be pretty, but the former ninth overall pick finished the year averaging a gritty double-double (10.7 ppg, 11.0 rpg) and 1.6 blocks to look like a legitimate piece at the five-spot that, along with Derrick Rose, makes for a potent center-point guard duo.

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09-10 GREATEST HITS Dwight Howard did what Dwight Howard do when he recorded his 20th straight double-double in February breaking the Magic franchise record of 19 straight set by Shaquille O’Neal. Howard led the League in rebounds and blocks for the second straight year and he’s averaged a double-double for every season in his six-year career.

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A battle of Chandlers as Will gets the best of Tyson. Matthew Perry wondered why they couldn’t be “Friends.”

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The tallest player to ever play in the NBA at 7-7, Manute Bol died at the age of 47 on June 19. Bol spent 10 seasons in the NBA, leading the League in blocks twice and making second team All-Defensive squad in ’85-86. Bol was also known for his humanitarian efforts off the court in his native country of Sudan. Truly a loss in the tallest order.

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Where caring happens.

Š 2010 NBA Entertainment Photos by NBAE/Getty Images.

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Kevin Durant When TNT’s Kenny Smith boldly proclaimed during the past playoffs that in three years, Kevin Durant would be the best player in the League, it certainly raised some eyebrows. Admittedly it left ours resembling the Rock’s signature look. But it might not be as preposterous as once thought. Popular opinion is that LeBron James will hold the “best” title but with him joining the Miami TriStars, the impetus might no longer be on him, and with it, the glory and recognition.

While in Oklahoma City, you have a budding—possibly in full bloom next season—team that will have Durant front and center. Even as-is, this Durant guy is pretty damn good. He already has a more refined offensive game than LBJ. Durant might have led the L in shot attempts, but at 48 percent from the field along with also pacing everyone with 840 free-throw attempts (he also led everyone with makes with 756), he’s an efficient scorer. Durantula’s fluid jumper is light years beyond James’ and with greater range. Although he can’t bulldoze his way through the lane for a dunk like Bron, Durant’s length and shot arsenal provides him the tools to get the same two points. And let’s not forget he finished second— albeit a distant second—to LeBron in the MVP race last season. During the playoffs, Durant might have looked a bit overmatched. He struggled, but he never quitted. That showing will serve him well down the road. The neophyte Durant will just be turning 22 around the time you’re reading this, so it’s scary to think what the future holds.

Let’s give Kenny his three years. He might just be right.

Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE/Getty Images

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LeBron James lost control and an opportunistic Steve Blake of the Trail Blazers was there to take advantage of the King’s miscue.

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Tyreke Evans became just the fourth player in League history to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in his rookie year, joining Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. That’s pretty exclusive company for the Kings guard who also became the second straight Rookie of the Year Award winner from the University of Memphis following in Derrick Rose’s footsteps. Sacramento could be a sleeper team to keep an eye on in the years to come with a plethora of young talent at its disposal led by Evans.

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The Bulls’ decision to draft Rose over Michael Beasley first overall in ’08 begins to look more and more like a no-brainer every day. In two seasons with Chicago, the point guard out of Memphis has seen the playoffs, won Rookie of the Year and made the All-Star team. Last year he upped his game to another level by dropping 20.8 points a night, and with the addition of Carlos Boozer combined with a young core around him things should only get brighter.

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No longer the fourth wheel (some might argue that he’s now the engine) in Boston, Rajon Rondo emerged as one of the elite PGs in the game in ’09-10, a year in which he set career highs in minutes played, points, assists, steals and FG percentage and made his first All-Star appearance.

No slouch in the postseason either, Rajon would have been in serious consideration for Finals MVP had the Celtics pulled off the victory in Game 7.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

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Jason Kidd surpassed Mark Jackson for second place all-time in assists. J-Kidd now has a total of 10,923 dimes, second to only John Stockton, averaging 9.2 per game for his 16-year career.

The 37-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down from a playmaking standpoint as he averaged 9.1 assists for Dallas in ’09-10.

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Gerald Wallace is a nine-year pro but every year he seems to constantly get better in every aspect. Wallace played and started in a career high 76 games for the Bobcats and was second in the NBA in minutes per game with a whopping 41. He also averaged a double-double for the first time in his career and a shot career high 37 percent from distance, which was good enough for him to be selected as a first-time All-Star.

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Sure, it’s just a tire.

Like the Grand Canyon is just a big crack.

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The 5-9 Nate Robinson threw it down to defeat DeMar DeRozan in the final round of the Slam Dunk Contest. The win marked the third time Robinson won the Contest, becoming the first player with three Dunk trophies to his name.

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Another year was another season full of emphatic stuffs for Andre Iguodala in Philly. For the third straight season and fifth in six years, Iguodala played in and started the full 82 games with the 76ers. At 26, some believe he has yet to reach his full potential, but with the expected emergence of point guard Jrue Holiday, and second overall pick Evan Turner allowing Iguodala to shift to his more natural position at the three-spot, the future looks sunny in Philadelphia.

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Bucks mascot Bango pulls off an impressive flip-and-dunk during a timeout in Milwaukee. How long before we see a Mascot Slam Dunk Contest?

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March 1. The Miami Heat are coming off four straight losses and sit at 29-31 battling to stay alive in the Eastern Conference Playoff race. Dwyane Wade is nursing his way back from a sore calf muscle that has forced him to sit out four of the last five. But what happened next was a pretty impressive run, even for a guy who’s proven his championship mettle. Miami went 18-4 during the last month and a half to finish the year at 47-35 to earn a comfortable spot as the fifth seed, and Wade led the attack averaging 28 points and 6.9 assists despite simultaneously attempting to recharge and get healthy for the playoffs.

For a guy who’s no stranger to nicks and bruises, falling down and getting back up, coaching changes and roster turnovers throughout his seven-year career, Wade has emerged as the leader on the floor who can propel his team to victory even when his jumper isn’t falling.

Despite the obstacles, he’s continued to be the gold standard for consistency. If intangibles showed up in the boxscore, would there be any doubt that D-Wade would be among the, if not the leader in that category?

To say he single-handedly carried the Heat into postseason play with his innate and savvy ability to lead by example wouldn’t slight even the most headstrong of his teammates in ’09-10. Wade’s presence on the court goes beyond something that can be learned in a gym overnight. Beyond something that can be taught at an overnight basketball camp, no matter how little sleep is mandated. We assume that watching your superstar teammate leave his heart and soul a part of the hardwood night in and night out in addition to always busting back on defense in a League where other big names won’t be frowned upon for not doing so would tend to rub off on you.

It’s July. The Miami Heat have surrounded Wade with two of the biggest stars in the NBA as they prepare for the upcoming season. Perhaps the most hyped and anticipated team in League history, no other team will have a bigger target on their back, not even the defending champs in Los Angeles. Miami is now expected to win not one, but multiple titles and anything else could be viewed as a failure. Without hesitation, Dwyane Wade will still be the pulse of the team.

Dwyane Wade

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Dirk Nowitzki has been the face of the Mavs for the entire decade and that won’t change anytime soon as he recently signed an extension. At 31, the 12-year vet isn’t showing any signs of slowing down as he finished with 25 points for the fifth time in his career and led Dallas to a second seed in the West.

However, Nowitzki’s failed to get his team over the hump during the playoffs only making it past the second round twice despite being in postseason play every year since 2001.

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Pau Gasol showed the crowd who’s No. 1 during the Lakers victory parade on the streets of Los Angeles.

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Born and bred Angeleno Baron Davis celebrated with gusto after he hit a long two at the buzzer to give the Clippers a victory over Boston in December.

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The East won the 2010 All-Star Game over the Western Conference 141-139 in Dallas.

Dwyane Wade takes home the game MVP honors in a back-and-forth contest that set a record for the largest crowd ever at a basketball game with 108,713 in attendance to see it live at Cowboys Stadium.

Nathaniel S. Butler (2), Glenn James, Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

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Chris Bosh is the Toronto Raptors all-time franchise leader in points, total rebounds, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, blocks, free throws made, games started, minutes and double-doubles. But those numbers won’t increase anymore since CB4, coming of a career best 24 ppg, 10.8 rpg and 51 percent from the field, will be taking his game from the NBA’s northernmost city to its southernmost in Miami.

There’s no denying the Raptors will miss him and his hair on the court come November.

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Deron Williams

Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images

With Chris Paul sidelined for a large chunk of the season, the basketball gods aligned the stars for Deron Williams to finally get some shine. Just how overlooked was he? Well for starters we couldn’t even resist leading with CP3’s name before D-Will’s in the previous sentence. And if asked to name the most unheralded superstar in the League at the start of the season, your casual NBA fan would probably still overlook Williams.

This season was essentially Williams’ coming out party in terms of national recognition and still would have been had Paul stayed healthy all season. Utah’s leader remained as cool on the court all season as he was when he landed a courtside seat, arms drooped around his two new biggest fans during the middle of a game in March. Williams earned his first All-Star appearance (two, maybe three years too late, if we may add) and orchestrated the Jazz to a 50-win campaign and a trip to the Western Conference Semifinals for the third time in four years. Like any true maestro, he ups his game when it matters most—just take a look at those career playoff stats— and will never shy away from taking the big shot. We can’t be positive, but we suspect he hikes up some Midwest mountains on occasion and collects ice water to inject into veins before gametime.

Big enough to back down any other point around the League, athletic enough to throw down a tomahawk slam in transition, smart enough to make the right pass at the right time, has the crossover to break even the most taped ankles and can make it hail with his jumper all day long. Is there a more complete point guard in the NBA? Your casual NBA fan would probably still say it has to be Paul despite the recently crammed Williams bandwagon.

Let it be remembered that ’09-10 was the year every other PG was in the rearview mirror of Deron Williams.

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Boston’s Paul Pierce out-shot Stephen Curry to win the Three-Point Shootout. The ever-clutch Pierce hit 8-of-10 money balls en route to become the first Celtic to win the Shootout since Larry Bird in 1988.

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Jamal Crawford had started 145 straight games before finding his niche as a sixth man in his first season with Atlanta. The Hawks guard may have won the Sixth Man of the Year award but he certainly played like a starter dropping 18 points and two threes in 31 minutes per, as well as buzzer beaters like this against Phoenix on January 15.

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In November, just two months after turning 20, Bucks rookie point guard Brandon Jennings became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points.

Despite a scoreless first quarter, Jennings erupted for 29 points in the third to finish the game with 55 in a Milwaukee win vs. Golden State. The young southpaw finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and he steered the Bucks into the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

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During a game against the Lakers on January 13, the German-born Dirk Nowitzki became the 34th player in NBA history and first ever European player to score 20,000 points in his career.

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Combined between the two, Trevor Ariza and Aaron Brooks logged 116 minutes in the Rockets hard-fought triple-OT win vs.

Minnesota in January. Brooks registered an NBA season high 59 minutes and finished with a career high 43 points, which included six three-pointers.

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The ever dapper LeBron James won his second straight NBA MVP award, putting up another monster season while leading the Cavaliers to a league-best 61 wins.

But even two-time MVPs need the occasional reminder that the second button of a two-button suit should never be buttoned. Sartorial lesson over.

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In just his fifth game as a pro, Jazz rookie Sundiata Gaines was fresh off his D-League call-up when he hit the game winning three-pointer as time expired against the Cavs over the outstretched arm of Anthony Parker on January 14. The trey was the first of Gaines’ career and it’s hard to imagine that it could have come at a better time. Yes, the Jazz signed him for the remainder of the season.

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09-10 GREATEST HITS Chris Kaman joined the list of players who made their first All-Star appearance in ’09-10 after averaging a career-high 18.5 points for the other team from Los Angeles. Kaman also added 94 blocked shots in the season, this one here on Golden State’s Anthony Tolliver.

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It’s hard to find a bright spot on a team that won 12 games, but look no further than Brook Lopez. The charismatic seven-footer improved his points, rebounds and assists in his sophomore campaign while logging a team high 37 minutes per game.

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Steve Nash

Remember those back-to-back MVPs that Steve Nash copped in ’05 and ’06? Seems like a millions years ago. Well, that was when naysayers said he was “over the hill” at 31 and 32. This past season saw him at an ancientfor-NBA—and doubly so for an NBA point guard—36 years old. Most players at that age— even two-time MVPs—are either apprenticing for a future head coach gig, playing understudy to some dazzling young point (Nash had a 24-year-old spelling him) or brought in for a seat at the end of the bench for leadership and veteran savvy.

Not Nash. He was every bit as effective as ’05 MVP version, which meant he found the open man every time, from angles that protractors didn’t know existed, shot the ball with precision (51 percent from the field, 43 from three and 94 from free-throw line) and led a Suns team that no one expected much from to 54 wins and the Western Conference Finals.

At an age where most NBA vets chase rings by looking to hook up with a guaranteed contender for a last shot at glory, the ring-less Nash refuses to play caddy in exchange for a token keepsake. Not that anyone would fault him for that. For almost a decade-and-a-half, the guy has been possibly the most unselfish man in the game, always looking to feed others the ball and giving up blood, sweat and tears (emphasis on the blood part) for the sake of winning.

Nash is the guy on the pickup court who just wins regardless of the four around him. He has a knack for getting his squad to happily play as a team, making sure everyone is properly fed and recognized. Individually, each guy might not be the best player, but as a crew, they can be world-beaters, especially when led by a maestro like Nash who can elevate the other four guys running alongside him.

In a League where youth is king, Nash is a walking, talking reminder that life begins at 30. And keeps going even at 36.

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Despite having officated NBA games even before Manu Ginobili’s existence (Bavetta began his NBA official gig in 1975; Ginobili was born in 1977), the San Antonio guard tries to convince the veteran official that he got it wrong. Sorry, Manu, we’re going with Bavetta’s 35 years of experience on this one.

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Kobe Bryant kept the Heat out of the proverbial kitchen when he hit the game winner over Dwyane Wade (no easy task, we think)with 0.4 seconds remaining. Longtime teammate Derek Fisher was the first to greet Bryant who couldn’t control his habit of hitting big buckets.

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The Hawks concluded ’09-10 as the third seed in the East with 53 wins, the team’s most since ’96-97 when it won 56, and made it to the second round of the playoffs. The all-around games of Josh Smith, Joe Johnson and Al Horford made them among the better trios in the League (certainly the East) and Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford gave the team much needed clutch play off the bench down the stretch.

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Carmelo Anthony

Pound-for-pound, there might not be a finer scorer in the game than Carmelo Anthony. Broken down individually, none of his offensive skills might be the best in the game, but together as a package, he can pretty much get buckets in whatever manner he pleases.

To oversimplify things, Melo is a master of the three basic tenets of offensive basketball: creating separation from defender, getting the shot off and into basket at a high rate. Kevin McHale is universally lauded as possessing the most feature-laden low-post game ever.

When it’s all said and done, the same can be said of Carmelo’s triple-threat game. One-on-one, Melo’s opponent is at his mercy once he receives the ball on the perimeter as his options run as deep as a Google query.

We can get into a list of maneuvers Melo can execute, but it’ll just be a blatant attempt to fill up space in this small box.

Critics will argue that he’s a singleuse tool. But in a game where the prime objective is to put the ball through the hoop at a greater clip than your opponent, Anthony’s “lone” skill is a pretty valued asset. Melo’s 28.2 points per contest was only good for third in the League, but if not paired with dynamic and capable scorers in Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith (not to mention boardmen Kenyon Martin and Nene who make a living scavenging the putbacks), Anthony would easily get the extra field goal per game to overtake Kevin Durant’s 30.1 ppg.

As of this writing, Carmelo hasn’t signed an extension and looks to be the catch of the 2011 free agency. We can’t be sure about Decision II, but you can bank on a monster season from the League’s best scoring machine.

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Every year that the tandem of Duncan and Ginobili has played together the Spurs amassed at least 50 wins and a playoff berth—that’s eight straight if you’re counting at home. And although the two will be 34 and 33 respectively, they still know what it takes to win in this League. Combined with Gregg Popovich on the sideline and Tony Parker at the point, that’s 14 rings, so while they technically “upset” the No. 2 seeded Mavericks in April it didn’t really come as a surprise to us.

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The dynamic duo of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge accounted for 40 percent of the Blazers scoring to propel the team to 50 wins and a playoff berth for the second straight season. Although Portland’s been knocked out in the first round both times, it has had one of the more balanced teams in the West in terms of scoring, youth, defense and leadership led by its two big guns.

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The L.A. Lakers defeated the Celtics 83-79 to win back-to-back titles and their 16th championship in franchise history. Kobe Bryant won the Finals MVP for the second straight year and Phil Jackson again added to his collection with his 11th ring.

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