That team CAN BE damn good

The Lakers that is

When the likes of Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, and Trevor Ariza play the way they played on Friday night the Lakers are definitely a Championship team.

Kobe Bryant is showing that he is a leader, and this team needs his leadership.

The Lakers now get to sit at home and watch the Orlando Magic try to clinch against Cleveland tonight in Florida.

The Nuggets had one heck of a season, not that that does anything for my friend Rock, but still, one heck of a season.

Give the Ball to Lebron......

and, if his teammates can hit some shots....you will never lose

The Cavs for the 3rd straight home game versus Orlando blew a huge lead.

Tonight though, they just said in the 4th quarter. "1-4 Give the ball to 'bron and watch him go to work."

The Magic had no answer once players like Mo Williams, Delonte West, Ilgauskas, and the one and only Boobie Gibson finally hit some shots.

See ya in Orlando in Game 6.

Number 11

Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs Power Forward
(12th Season)

In my opinion there was a point when Tim Duncan was the best player in the NBA, but at that time, the way the media works Duncan was probably considered by most as about the 5th or 6th best player in the league. "Mr. Fundamentals" as they call him played the game as any coach would design a Power Forward.

Duncan has definitely slowed down, he is not the player he once was. He still is good enough to lead a very good team. Duncan still has the ability to knock down shots, and post up. He may just not be able to bang on every possession and still be walking like 5 years ago. The man doesn't make mistakes, he knows how to draw fouls, and can finish as good as anyone. He just doesn't make the highlight reel, and that is why he doesn't get the attention in this the SportsCenter era.

Duncan averaged 21 and 12 for his career, and put up 19 and 11 this season while taking a back seat at times to Tony Parker. Duncan is still the man though in San Antonio, and with a little help can still bring that team to the Finals.

Tim Duncan simply put is the BEST POWER FORWARD EVER TO PLAY THE GAME OF BASKETBALL. He dominated the game for years on both sides of the ball, he could score inside and out. Duncan is a unanomous first ballot Hall of Famer, and will be remembered in the category with Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Shaquille O'neal as the best post players of all time.

Number 12

Paul Pierce Boston Celtics Small Forward
(11th Season)

Paul Pierce until last season was one of the most underrated players in the league. He is going to finish his career in Boston close to the top of the list in almost every Boston Celtics statistical category. In case you weren't sure, the Celtics have had a couple good players in their existence. Last season, Pierce led the way in the playoffs for Boston, and in the NBA Finals outplayed NBA Icon Kobe Bryant.

"The Truth" as he is referred to in Boston has game that not many can match in the NBA. He does not have the athleticism the NBA looks for, which may be why he fell to 10th in the draft (one spot ahead of the Pistons picking 11th). However, Paul Pierce has the best body/ball control that I have ever seen. He is slower and less athletic as everyone who he plays against, however, like the old guy at the gym he still finds a way to get what he wants. The step back is just about unguardable, and with 6 spin moves, or three pump fakes, whichever he needs Pierce gets to the rim and to the foul line.

Pierce has a career average of almost 24 points a game. He like Ray Allen and KG, took a step back statistically to help the team as a whole. In the past couple years Pierce has shown that he is an all around player. Last year in the Finals his defensive play on Kobe Bryant won him NBA Finals MVP, and the Celtics a championship.

Paul Pierce has done everything a player can do in the NBA. He has all star appearances, NBA Finals MVP, and a Championship. He will retire a legend in Boston, and will have his number retired amongst the greatest of all time.

Then will be the Hall of Fame.

Number 13

Brandon Roy Portland Trailblazers Shooting Guard
(3rd Season)

When Brandon Roy got to Portland they were in the midst of a revival, or attempted revival at least of what was once one of the greatest NBA franchises. The Blazers had lost as many games as anyone in recent years, and had a lot of work in front of them. Coming out of Washington, NBA scouts said that Roy was a do it all type player. Even with that, they did not know the overall scoring ability that this kid has.

Brandon Roy has every move in the book, and has body control only matched by Paul Pierce. He can maneuver his body in ways that others could only dream about. His athleticism also is very underrated. His range goes beyond the 3 point line, and his ball skills allow him to run the point from time to time in Portland.

Roy has only played 3 seasons in the NBA, and he has already showed his superstar ability. He was an all-star and will be for years to come. This season he averaged 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. He shot 38% from 3 and 48% overall, while leading the Blazers to the #4 seed in the West, making the playoffs for the first time in years.

There is no limit to what Brandon Roy can become. I believe he needs a true point guard in Portland to take some of the pressure off of him. If he gets a Point Guard, and Greg Oden becomes a force underneath I can see Brandon Roy eventually leading Portland to the NBA Finals.

Orlando is So Much Better Than YOU Thought

Admit it, you thought Orlando had no chance.

Come on, be a man. First half of game one, Lebron rollin, Cavs up 20. You were thinking 4-0 Cavs. Maybe 4-1. You, my friend, LIKE ME, were dead wrong.

The Cavs, are insanely lucky they are not down 3-0.

Orlando is just fine with Lebron putting up 40 plus a night. They just cover the rest of the Cavs, and in this series, Lebron's teammates cannot hit a jumpshot.

Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis are owning the Cavs. If it's not Turkoglu on a screen and roll, its Dwight underneath, or Rashard in someone's face.

The Orlando Magic appear to know they are the better team. I am starting to believe them, but am not quite ready to count out the Cavs.

Either way though, the Magic are insanely better than I thought, they lost an All-star PG this year too. Wow, impressed.

Kobe is Still Kobe

I was ready to give the Denver Nuggets the series. Tied 1-1, going back to Denver, the Nuggs 6-0 at home in the playoffs. I thought Denver was going to whoop on some Laker booty. Not so much.

They have this Kobe Bryant fella, and he is pretty good.

Not only that, for some reason, he still has a lot to prove this postseason.

People like me are ready to hand Lebron the Crown, and Kobe wants to show that he is still a top the mountain.

Kobe's 3 was the key shot in the game.

That and the fact that the Denver Nuggets cannot even get an inbound in at the end of the game.

Game 4 on Monday is now do or die for Denver. Expect a crazy crowd, and hopefully a much better performance from Carmelo Anthony.