NBA Playoffs 2013: Power Ranking The 10 Hottest Players In The Playoffs
The Miami Heat’s LeBron James is off to a fast start in the NBA playoffs in 2013. Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule
The NBA playoffs are a place for the stars to shine.
Some of the biggest names have had their biggest moments in the playoffs. Players like Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson have made a name for themselves in the postseason. Clutch play in the playoffs only adds to a legacy of great players.
The NBA Playoffs 2013 has seen great performances by some familiar names and so names people will have to take note of for years to come.
10 Hottest players in NBA Playoffs 2013
10. Paul George, Indiana Pacers
The forward had his worst game of the NBA Playoffs 2013 on Friday, May 3 but the previous five he was the best player for the Pacers. He had a triple-double in Game 1 and never scored less then 16 points until Friday’s four point game.
With the Pacers advancing, the Pacers will need George to perform at the high level he did against the Hawks.
9. Nate Robinson, Chicago Bulls
The tiny point guard has taken over for the Derrick Rose and has a great job doing it. Nate Robinson has taken the Chicago Bulls on his back. Robinson has been clutch in all three of the Bulls’ wins. They may need more from him heading into Game 7 on Saturday, May 4, against the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA Playoffs 2013.
Robinson is averaging 17.8 points in the series and is shooting 53 percent from the field.
8. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
The power forward was easily one of the most physical players in the NBA Playoffs 2013. He pushed around the Los Angeles’ Clippers Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in the Grizzlies’ series win. Zach Randolph really turned it up after the Grizzlies dropped the first two games in L.A.
Randolph averaged 8.6 rebounds a game to go with his 21 points a game. He is a force and will be a tough matchup for the Thunder in the next round.
7. Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets
Although the Denver Nuggets bowed out in the first round again this season, Ty Lawson was not the reason for the upset. Lawson averaged 21.3 points during the six-game series. He is the undeniable leader in Denver and has grown up this season. He also averaged 8 assists a game in the playoffs.
Lawson did struggle at times guarding Stephen Curry but no one on the Nuggets had success with that.
6. Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets
Deron Williams has been up and down during the playoffs but has still been a key for the Nets. Williams has dished out double digit assists in five of the seven games. He has also averaged 20 points.
Williams will look to take over in Game 7 against the Bulls. When he is on his game, so are the Nets.
5 . James Harden, Houston Rockets
James Harden tried and tried to get revenge on his former team but came up short in six games. Harden averaged 25 points a game in the series. Harden was not enough to overtake the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Harden’s biggest weakness in the series was his three-point shooting where he shot 16 percent. Harden, despite those numbers, was the best player for the Rockets.
4. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant became the one-man show for the Thunder after Russell Westbrook went down in Game 2. He had no problem with that role. Durant took over without hesitation.
He is averaging over 30 points a game and was clutch in the closeout Game 6 with 27 points. The Rockets kept it close until Durant took over in the fourth. Durant continues to show that he is a superstar in the NBA.
3. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony got the Knicks out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2000. He did what he does best which is score. He averaged over 30 points a game in the series win over the Celtics.
Anthony, who only got out of the first round once with the Nuggets, shot under 40 percent but was still the best player in the series. Anthony will face a tough challenge in the next round against the defensive minded Pacers.
2. LeBron James, Miami Heat
The MVP of the league has played like it in the playoffs. LeBron James and the Miami Heat swept the Bucks and continue to rest awaiting the winner of the Bull/Nets. James does everything on the court as usual. He has averaged 24.8 points with eight rebounds and six assists a game in the series.
James is the best all-around player in the NBA and looks to be on the verge of another NBA title.
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry was the star of the Warriors 4-2 series win over the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 24.3 points a game during the series and also dished out 9.3 assists. His shooting numbers were also off the chart as he shot 43 percent from behind the arc.
Curry, who was already a great player in the NBA, established himself as a superstar in the playoffs. If he gets hot in the next round, the Spurs could have some trouble.