duncan228
04-17-2009, 09:30 PM
NBA burning questions: Anticipating amazement (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/NBA_burning_questions_Anticipating_amazement.html)
Mike Monroe
The NBA's pre-playoff ad campaign asks “Where will amazing happen?” Express-News NBA beat writer Mike Monroe offers some clues:
Which player can have a ‘Dikembe Mutombo' moment?
Most NBA fans remember the image of Mutombo, prone on the court at the old Seattle Coliseum, clutching the ball after the No. 8 seed Nuggets' first-round upset of the SuperSonics in 1994. Bulls big man Joakim Noah plays with Mutombo-like passion, and his native language is French, as is Mutombo's. If the Bulls upset the Celtics, vulnerable without Kevin Garnett, Noah won't hide his emotion.
Who is this year's ‘Big Shot Rob?'
A year ago, we identified then-Celtic James Posey as the most likely successor to Robert Horry as the role player capable of hitting some playoff game-winners — and he made us look like a genius. This year, we like the Cavaliers' Daniel Gibson to fill the role of long-ball hero.
Will LeBron James pull off the MVP Double?
As tight as the regular-season MVP race is, most knowledgeable NBA writers expect James to finally get his trophy. When that happens, he will be an even-money bet to put the 2009 NBA Finals MVP trophy right next to it in his den, if only the Cavs can first win the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Will Carmelo Anthony finally get out of the first round in Denver?
The Nuggets star has been in James' shadow since draft night in 2003, and the fact he has never led the Nuggets out of the first round threatens to overshadow his All-Star-caliber game. This year, with Chauncey Billups as a sidekick instead of Allen Iverson, 'Melo will finally see the second round.
Which team's fans will be most disappointed?
Great expectations are what lead to the biggest disappointments. Even with Garnett sidelined for at least the first round, Celtics fans who believe in the luck of the Irish expect another title. But without home-court advantage against Cleveland, they're not even going to make the NBA Finals.
Which team is going to ride in a championship parade?
Responding to the Cavaliers' online promotion of James' MVP candidacy with a Web site titled “LeBronJamesisreallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreally good.com,” Kobe Bryant said he “really, really, really, really, really, really” wants another championship ring. With Andrew Bynum back in the lineup, the Lakers are too big and too good not to help him get his fourth.
Mike Monroe
The NBA's pre-playoff ad campaign asks “Where will amazing happen?” Express-News NBA beat writer Mike Monroe offers some clues:
Which player can have a ‘Dikembe Mutombo' moment?
Most NBA fans remember the image of Mutombo, prone on the court at the old Seattle Coliseum, clutching the ball after the No. 8 seed Nuggets' first-round upset of the SuperSonics in 1994. Bulls big man Joakim Noah plays with Mutombo-like passion, and his native language is French, as is Mutombo's. If the Bulls upset the Celtics, vulnerable without Kevin Garnett, Noah won't hide his emotion.
Who is this year's ‘Big Shot Rob?'
A year ago, we identified then-Celtic James Posey as the most likely successor to Robert Horry as the role player capable of hitting some playoff game-winners — and he made us look like a genius. This year, we like the Cavaliers' Daniel Gibson to fill the role of long-ball hero.
Will LeBron James pull off the MVP Double?
As tight as the regular-season MVP race is, most knowledgeable NBA writers expect James to finally get his trophy. When that happens, he will be an even-money bet to put the 2009 NBA Finals MVP trophy right next to it in his den, if only the Cavs can first win the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Will Carmelo Anthony finally get out of the first round in Denver?
The Nuggets star has been in James' shadow since draft night in 2003, and the fact he has never led the Nuggets out of the first round threatens to overshadow his All-Star-caliber game. This year, with Chauncey Billups as a sidekick instead of Allen Iverson, 'Melo will finally see the second round.
Which team's fans will be most disappointed?
Great expectations are what lead to the biggest disappointments. Even with Garnett sidelined for at least the first round, Celtics fans who believe in the luck of the Irish expect another title. But without home-court advantage against Cleveland, they're not even going to make the NBA Finals.
Which team is going to ride in a championship parade?
Responding to the Cavaliers' online promotion of James' MVP candidacy with a Web site titled “LeBronJamesisreallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreally good.com,” Kobe Bryant said he “really, really, really, really, really, really” wants another championship ring. With Andrew Bynum back in the lineup, the Lakers are too big and too good not to help him get his fourth.