Only 9 Superstars in the NBA

I was watching Mike and Mike in the morning today, feeding my son, and they were touching on a subject that I have debated and discussed with friends of mine for years. They talked NBA superstars and who actually fits the bill. Below you will find a list of stars and superstars in the NBA; Mike and Mike highlighted Merriam Webster’s definition of Superstar and I will lift up most of that definition to highlight the standard of NBA superstar.

Superstar- a star who is considered extremely talented, has great public appeal; one that is a prime attraction.

Star- Meets most but not all the superstar criteria

So that’s the standard and to be a superstar in the NBA, or at east in this blog, you have to be 
1) Extremely Talented 
2) Has Public Appeal (meaning the causal sports fan will sit down and watch you on television) 
3) Is a Prime Attraction (Main Cog on Your Team) …

*Commercial Voice* Here We Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Celtics: Pierce-Star; Allen-Star; Rondo-Star; Garnett- Superstar

Nets: D. Williams-Star;

Knicks: Carmelo- Superstar; Amare- Star (doesn’t have public appeal, but could get it now that he is in NY);

76ers: Iguodala-Star

Raptors: N/A

Bulls: Rose- Superstar;

Cavs: N/A

Pistons:N/A

Pacers: N/A

Bucks: N/A

Hawks: Johnson, Smith, Crawford,Horford- All are Stars

Bobcats: N/A

Heat: James-Superstar; Wade-Superstar;

Magic: Howard-Superstar;

Wizards: N/A

Kings N/A

Suns: N/A

Lakers: Kobe-Superstar; Gasol-Star (if not for Kobe, probably would not be a Star)

Clippers: Griffin-Superstar; Gordon-Star

Warriors: Ellis, Curry-Star Both Stars

Jazz: N/A
Thunder: Durant-Superstar; Westbrook-Star (without Durant he would have as much public appeal as he has);

Blazers:N/A

Timberwolves: N/A

Nuggets: N/A

Spurs: Duncan, Parker, Ginobli- All Stars

Hornets: Paul-Star

Grizzles: Z Bo- Star

Rockets: N/A

Mavs: Dirk, Kidd- Both Stars


I only have 9 real superstars in today's NBA: Garnett, James, Wade, Howard, Durant, Kobe, Rose, Griffin and Carmelo.

NBA Playoffs: Second Round Preview

I love the NBA Playoffs! In fact I truly believe that it is the msot exciting post season in professional sports. The drama is very high, the story lines are captivating and the game play is so unlike what you see in the regualr season. After some interesting upsets, and lack thereof, this second round shopuld conntinue to provide all the excitement that you are looking for.

Eastern Conference:

Celtics vs. Heat- The Celtics are lunch Lebron? If that's the case you ain't never been able to finish a meal against them and you sure haven't been able to pay the bill for what you have eaten. As much as I like how the Heat performed against the Sixers, I just don't see them getting passed the deeper, more experienced Celtics team. The key for the Celtics will  be the play of Rondo. He is the engine and needs to play well for Boston to get into a rhythm. For the Heat, they need to try and pick the pace of the game up and avoid getting emotionally involved in the series. I believe that Chris Bosh will have the worst series of his life. I like the Celtics to win in 6...but I wouldn't be surprised if they won it in 5.

Bulls vs. Hawks- What we saw against the Pacers was an aberration for a Bulls team that dominated both offensively and defensively all year. Their Defense was stellar, but the offense dragged until the close out game. When both came together the Bulls dominated. I do not believe they will have the same start against Atlanta. Atlanta had something to prove against the Magic after being embarraseed last year. But please don't forget that when put in unchartered waters, the Hawks disappear. Look for Joe Johnson to do his best Houdini impersonation and for the Hawks to lose in 5. The League's MVP, as long as he gets some consistent help, will have no problem beating the Hawks. Bulls win...in 5.

Western Conference:

Grizzles vs. Thunder- KD, Westbrook, new look interior and solid bench play have be tremendous all year and in the playoffs. However, they are 1-3 against this Memphis Grizzles team. Memphis will bring the same passion and intensity, particularly in the paint, that they showed against the Spurs. The key for them winning though will once again be the play of Mike Conley. Conley lived in the lane against the Spurs and was hitting jumpers. Can he repeat his performance? Kendrick Perkins, need you to understand that this is Marc Gasol and not Pau...you won't be able to punk him. Oh and yeah who is going to guard Zach Randolph? Memphis will throw a combination of Allen and Battier at Durant which will be extremely frustrating against the Leagues top scorer and watch out for OJ Mayo in this series...I like Memphis to win this series in 6. 

Lakers vs. Mavs- I have not been shy about my disdain for the Mavs, but I give them all the credit for beating the Blazers and doing it with defense. Here is the problem. The Lakers have two seven footers who play in the paint and the have more versatility on the wing and coming off the bench. Let's also not forget the Jason Kidd plays point, which is not nearly an advantage against Fisher, because Fish likes playing against bigger, more physical guards. Oh and at the end of games the Lakers best player, Kobe, is head and shoulder better than the Mavs best player, Dirk, at taking games over. For those who might say that the Lakers are soft, they will look like Street Thugs against the Mavericks softer than soft style of play. However, because it is  the Lakers, I could see this game going 7. Lakers win in 7.

Re-Cap

Celtics def. Heat; Bulls def. Hawks; Memphis def. Thunder, and Lakers def. Mavericks

Let's see how this plays out!