If Thunder lose the finals?

For the second year in a row, Mavericks franchise man Dirk Nowitzki is going to need a cheat sheet to remember which players are on his team, but this time around he is surrounded by hungry veterans who all have something to prove.

The 2012-2013 Celtics season is the first not to be powered by the Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen triumvirate since this whole crazy run kicked off. The new Big-3 era is over, and the Celtics have transitioned from a “Big 3” to a more complete team that will rely on significant contributions from more players as the two eldest statesmen, Garnett and Pierce, pare their minutes down in an effort to stay fresh and effective for eight grueling NBA months. And they are doing it behind a new leader.343

His ascension to the role is perhaps the biggest story line in Boston. Doc Rivers has said it. Danny Ainge has said it. So have Garnett and Pierce. Everyone in Green is making sure the world knows that Rajon Rondo is the leader of this team. 3e5434534

His ascension to the role is perhaps the biggest story line in Boston. Doc Rivers has said it. Danny Ainge has said it. So have Garnett and Pierce. Everyone in Green is making sure the world knows that Rajon Rondo is the leader of this team. hgfdghf

The guys not named Rondo are right about him stepping up in to a new role. He IS their leader. On the court, the ball is in his hands more than any other. He orchestrates offenses, often independent of Doc Rivers, who is content to let his point guard's CPU process everything he sees before him. And like Garry Kasparov flying through move after move in his head before placing a fingertip on a bishop, Rondo cycles through options at a dizzying mental pace before actually triggering the offense. gsgfsr

Rondo's eyes may as well be motion-detecting cameras, picking up flinches, sideways glances, and missed assignments within milliseconds of them happening. And he has no qualms about letting anyone, from Kevin Garnett to Dionte Christmas, know that what's happening, when it will happen, or why they missed it. cvvsd

But Garnett, Pierce and Terry have been through the wars. They are still among the best in the business even at combined 106 years old. You do not hang around the NBA into your mid 30's in very important roles unless you know a little something about the game. These guys have forgotten things about basketball that Rondo hasn't learned yet. Of course they will lead. 56765jf

Bryant finished with 31 points and Jodie Meeks added 12 points on four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter for the Lakers, who rested Pau Gasol and kept Dwight Howard out of their lineup again. Steve Nash had two points and four turnovers while playing only 12 minutes for Los Angeles.

“He is tested. He knows who he is, which is comforting as a coach when a guy goes in and he knows what he is supposed to do and who he is and not going through the wars for the first time. Now we just have to get Terrence up to speed to perform like that each and every day and be consistent with it. And he will. Terrence is a talented, talented young man and his upside is off the charts. He just has to get up to speed on the NBA right now.”