NBA West: Players To Watch

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NBA West: Players to Watch
By Charles F. Gardner

Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- The excitement of a Kobe-LeBron matchup in the NBA Finals is more than a month away, if it happens. Bryant averaged 26.8 points (ranking third in the league) and played in all 82 games for the Lakers this season, after leading the U.S. Olympic team to a gold-medal finish in Beijing last summer. He's more comfortable in L.A. now that he has a talented cast surrounding him. Bryant's compe iveness, scoring, defensive abilities and leadership will be necessary for the Lakers to navigate the danger- filled Western Conference playoffs.

Brandon Roy, Portland -- The Portland guard, the sixth overall pick in the 2006 draft, will be making his first playoff appearance. But don't expect the 24-year-old Seattle native to be nervous. His scoring and ball-handling prowess make him a difficult man for foes to defend, and he has a penchant for hitting clutch shots. At 6- foot-6, he can shoot over smaller guards and can hold his own when bigger players defend him.

Nene, Denver -- Denver's Brazilian center has battled back from testicular cancer to have a solid season, finishing second in the league in field goal percentage (60.4) and averaging 14.6 points. His improved play has helped balance a Nuggets lineup featuring Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin. Nuggets coach George Karl said Nene provides "efficient offense" and he will be counted on to battle New Orleans' Tyson Chandler in the opening round.

Jason Terry, Dallas -- Dallas' sixth man extraordinaire signaled "5-0" to the crowd on Wednesday after the surging Mavericks posted their 50th victory. Now he will try to help them avoid a third straight first-round playoff ouster. Terry is instant offense off the bench, but he plays starter's minutes (34 per game) and averages 19.6 points. "We're a playoff-ready team," Terry said. "I keep saying it, but the best is yet to come."

Tim Duncan, San Antonio -- It has been a difficult season for the soon-to-be 33-year-old Duncan, slowed by knee problems. How healthy will he be for the playoffs? It's a critical question for San Antonio, which is without Manu Ginobili and will be relying even more than usual on Duncan and point guard Tony Parker. The 6-11 Duncan has played in 155 career playoff games and averaged 23.4 points and 50.1% from the field in the postseason, while being named the NBA Finals MVP three times (1999, 2003 and '05).

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Jason Terry, Dallas -- Dallas' sixth man extraordinaire signaled "5-0" to the crowd on Wednesday after the surging Mavericks posted their 50th victory. Now he will try to help them avoid a third straight first-round playoff ouster. Terry is instant offense off the bench, but he plays starter's minutes (34 per game) and averages 19.6 points. "We're a playoff-ready team," Terry said. "I keep saying it, but the best is yet to come."

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