The 2012 NBA Playoffs are off and running, and although it has only been three days, we've already seen some series-defining moments from some of the game’s biggest stars.
NBA superstars not only make the postseason, but they define it as well. It's the time of year where the great get even greater and big-time performances seem to happen by the day.
When it is all said and done, only one team will be left standing, but there will be several defining moments before a champion is crowned.
Let's take a look at who will be the authors.
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Many feel this could be Durant’s year. If it is, he’s already off to a good start, leading the Thunder to a pair of tough wins over the Dallas Mavericks.
A game-winner in Game 1, followed by a 26-point, 10-rebound effort in Game 2 has Durant well on his way to making this postseason a special one. He’s not shooting the ball particularly well, but that won’t last long, and I expect Durant to have much more magic up his sleeve.
LeBron James, Miami Heat
LeBron has a statement to make to his critics, and he’s making it in a big way against the New York Knicks.
James is shooting 56 percent from the floor and averaging 25.5 PPG through two games, but he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder and quite frankly he looks like a man that won’t be denied a championship right now.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe wants that sixth ring, and who’s going to tell him he can’t have it?
Bryant was very good in Game 1, dropping 31 points on the Nuggets, but when Kobe is focused on a goal, he’s going to leave everything out on the court in order to get it. By the time the playoffs end, Kobe could turn in one of his best postseason runs of his career.
Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers
If the 2012 regular season wasn’t a coming-out party for Bynum, the playoffs very well could be.
The All-Star center already has a triple-double, and if Bynum is committed to playing great defense and rebounding, he’s going to be huge throughout the Lakers' run.
Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
Here’s a guy that has the talent to do some big things in the postseason and could potentially carry the hawks on a mini-run in the process. If the Hawks can get past the Celtics, a Bulls team without Derrick Rose isn’t unbeatable.
Smith got off to a good start in Sunday’s Game 1 win versus the Celtics with 22 points and 18 rebounds. If the Hawks are going to advance, they will have to lean on Smith, and he could be ready to deliver.
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Down one game in the series with Rajon Rondo suspended for Game 2, somebody wearing a Celtics jersey is going to have to step up.
That guy could be Garnett, who had a solid 20 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1, but the veteran forward put together a solid regular season when some questioned if he had anything left in the tank. He could step up and throw the Celtics on his back one more time.
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Parker should be a serious MVP candidate but won’t be, but potentially leading the Spurs to another title would be even sweeter for the 29-year-old point guard.
He got off to a good start by scoring 28 points and dishing out eight assists in San Antonio’s Game 1 win over Utah. Parker hasn’t slowed down all season and I see no reason for him to do so now.
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