I know, we're just one game into each NBA playoff series so it's too early to tell anything but hey, can you blame me if I'm excited for this time of the year again? The NBA postseason only comes once a year, so give me break. We've got more games coming up so let's get started.
We've got a good crop of adidas endorsers that made it past the regular season this year. Some are familiar faces, others are getting their first or second taste of playoff basketball. Out of all those players representing the three stripes, here are my top 10 performers so far:
(Photos from NBA.com)
10. Jeremy Lin - 14 pts (5/11 FG, 3/3 FT), 6 rebs, 4 assists
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| Jeremy Lin drives for a lay up in his Crazyquick 2 Lows. |
This was a tough choice, since picking the 10th spot meant kicking out all the other remaining players. In the end, I had to go with Lin. He started slow but made some key plays down the stretch. His +/- ratio was better than Patrick Beverley's and Robin Lopez's, both of whom defended well but still allowed their men to get their buckets.
9. Joakim Noah - 10 pts (4/6 FG, 2/2 FT), 10 rebs, 4 assists
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| Noah getting his team ready for the playoffs. |
This was an off game for a guy of Noah's caliber, but he still makes it to the list. He got another double-double and some assists for a decent stat line. However, he couldn't contain Nene (24 pts) and his stats don't make the same stellar line we've gotten used to seeing from the All-Star center this year. Expect Noah to bounce back with even more energy next game.
8. Mike Conley - 16 pts (6/16 FG, 4/5 FT), 5 rebs, 11 assists, 3 steals
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| Conley lays it in while avoiding Ibaka's defense. |
On the plus side, Conley did get a double-double and had team-highs in assists and steals. However, he missed all 6 3PT attempts, something the Grizzlies desperately needed to add variety to their offense.
7. Nicolas Batum - 14 pts (6/10 FG), 9 rebs, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
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| Batum walks it up in his Crazy Fast kicks. |
The Swiss army knife of the Blazers had a good line again. Coach Stotts is blessed with the versatile forward. Now let's see if Batum can improve his defense on Chandler Parsons, who torched the Blazers early.
6. John Wall - 16 pts (4/14 FG, 8/10 FT), 6 rebs, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
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| Wall found ways to contribute in his Crazyquick 2s. |
While the Bulls' elite defense found ways to disrupt the Wizards' perimeter players, John Wall still found other ways to lead his team to an upset victory. He ended up with a team-high +11.
5. Serge Ibaka - 17 pts (6/8 FG, 5/5 FT), 9 rebs, 1 assist, 4 blocks
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| Ibaka is pumped up even as he jogs up the court. |
Efficient offense and intimidating defense. Ibaka even got a "block-assist" in one play. What more can you ask for in your defensive backbone and offensive support? Suddenly, the Grizzlies don't look so big.
4. Dwight Howard - 27 pts (9/21 FG, 9/17 FT), 15 rebs, 1 assist, 4 blocks, 1 assist
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| Howard toes the baseline in his D Howard 4s. |
Howard had a big game, recording a double-double and 4 blocks. While Robin Lopez did his best to bother Dwight, in the end the All-Star was just too big and strong to contain. But there were some improvement points for the big guy - he fouled out, took some time to get his offense going, wasn't his usual efficient self and the Hack-a-Dwight in the 4th quarter allowed Portland to catch up.
3. Tim Duncan - 27 pts (12/20 FG, 3/5 FT), 7 rebs
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| Duncan getting ready to take over at the post, as usual. |
TD led his team in points and minutes played. Minutes played?! How's that for getting older? Whatever Poppovich and the Spurs training staff are doing to keep this guy fresh, they better keep doing it. The highlight reels will show Tony Parker and his quick drives, but make no mistake, Duncan was the best player on the court. Just look at his team-high +24 stat.
2. Damian Lillard - 31 pts (9/19 FG, 10/12 FT) , 9 rebs, 5 assists
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| Lillard rises up for a shot in his Crazyquick 2 |
Wow. What a game. I mean, yes the whole Blazers vs Rockets game was a fun and exciting one to watch, but you've got to be thinking, "What a game from this kid playing in his FIRST playoff game!" Lillard showed off his full offensive arsenal - driving in the lane, stepping back for threes, hitting his free throws. He did this all while being chased around by the energetic dog that is Patrick Beverley. And, as we've seen time and time again this year, Lillard delivered in the late game situations. Good thing adidas signed him to an extension!
He would have been #1 on this list if it weren't for his teammate, LaMarcus Aldridge, stealing the show with his franchise record 46 points (to go with 18 rebounds).
1. Jeff Teague - 28 pts (9/19 FG, 9/10 FT), 3 rebs, 5 assists, 1 steal
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| Teague kept getting by the Pacers' tough defense in his D Rose 4.5s |
Breakout game! Ok, not really since Jeff Teague has been a solid contributor of the Hawks for years now, he just keeps improving every season. Still, this has to be Teague's most important performance in his NBA career so far. Not only did he set his new playoff-scoring record, he also did it against the #1 defense in the league. He got where he wanted to on the court and led his team in points, assists and FT%. Everyone thought the Pacers, who have been in a slump as of late, would come out and make a statement that they're back. Instead, Teague and the Hawks got the statement win. Don't underestimate these Hawks, not when their star point guard is playing like this.
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