Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy. Icon SMI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: iconphotostwo380441
At the conclusion of the 2011 NBA Finals fans did not know how long it would be before they saw NBA Playoff action again. Well after missing a number of deadlines the two sides finally came to an agreement for a crazy 66 game season that included back to back to backs. Now 16 teams have to dig deeper to find what energy it is they have left in the tank as the NBA playoffs began today.
And already Bulls fans are reconsidering the meaning of life and looking toward next season after Derrick Rose went out with a torn ACL today.
Most of the old familiar teams are back in the NBA playoffs but that does not mean you can pencil them in for the same old success. Kobe Bryant will lead the new-look Lakers against the Denver Nuggets in the first round after the Lakers were able to hold off the Clippers to win the Division again. The Celts and Spurs earned home court with the help of their big three’s who all could be playing their final NBA games this season and would love to add one more ring to their already impressive collections.
Young stars are poised to take the spotlight from the old guard. The Bulls, Thunder and Grizzlies have all had some success in the past they will look to build on this year as their players continue to learn how to win in the Playoffs. Blake Griffin will take his dunking talents to the playoffs as he and Chris Paul III look to give the Clippers some playoff success. The Utah Jazz are no strangers to playoff basketball but this is the first playoff appearance since losing Jerry Sloan and Deron Williams. Tyrone Corbin now leads the Jazz as they will try to continue winning with a new group of youngsters.
No matter how many other storylines there are in the NBA, all eyes will be focused on the Miami Heat and LeBron James come playoff time. Last season they team came up just sort of a championship after James said the Heat would win eight rings with the help of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Now James has changed his tone saying they just need one ring. Suddenly, with the sudden loss of Rose, it looks like it could be a walk in the park to put the Heat in back in the championship game.
No matter how it plays out, fans will have a few more weeks of NBA action left in the compact season immediately followed by the same stars playing in the Olympic basketball at the London games.
For more pictures of the NBA playoff teams check out Newscom.
The Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose struggles to get to his feet after he injured his knee in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday April 28, 2012. The Bulls won, 103-91, but Rose's season is over. Ron Cortes/MCT/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: krtphotoslive547641
Atlanta Hawks guard Tracy McGrady (L) keeps the ball away from Boston Celtics forward Mickael Pietrus of France during the first half of their NBA basketball game at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, USA on 19 March 2012. ERIK S. LESSER/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotos335882
Blake Griffin (L) of the Los Angeles Clippers in action against Dante Cunningham (R) of the Memphis Grizzlies in first half action at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 24 March 2012. The Clippers defeated the Grizzlies 101-85. MICHAEL NELSON/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotos341484
Miami Heat forward LeBron James gets ready to play before the game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on April 12, 2012 in Chicago. BRIAN KERSEY/UPI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: upiphotostwo151189
Head coach Tyrone Corbin of the Utah Jazz leads his team against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in Houston, Texas. George Bridges/MCT/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: krtphotoslive544276
Oklahoma City Thunder player Kevin Durant (L) goes to the basket against the Miami Heat in the half of the game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, 25 March 2012. LARRY W. SMITH/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotos343129
Indiana Pacers' forward Danny Granger (C) keeps the basketball from Toronto Raptors' forwards Ed Davis (L) and James Johnson during the first quarter of their NBA basketball game in Indianapolis April 9, 2012. BRENT SMITH/Reuters/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive175758
Guard Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder during overtime of the Lakers 114-106 double overtime victory over the Thunder at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. Icon Sports Media/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: iconphotosthree218960
The Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson, right, shoots over the Charlotte Bobcats' D.J. Augustin during the first half at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Gary W. Green/MCT/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: krtphotoslive547167
San Antonio Spurs Manu Ginobili (R) shoots past Boston Celtics Greg Stiemsma in the first half of their NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts April 4, 2012. JESSICA RINALDI/Reuters/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive167836
Tags: Dallas Maverics, Heat, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, lebron james, nba, NBA Playoffs
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