Finding Some Light in the NBA Playoffs

Lakers, Pau Gasol

Say what you want about the soft big man for the the Lakers, but he has been quietly consistent in this series. He's averaging 17 points and 13 rebounds a game on a team that simply just doesn't know how to use him. We've seen him get the ball in clutch situations going down the wire, and delivering. After finally speaking out about the Lakers lack to get the ball into the post before game 5, we still only saw Pau get 8 shots in that game. But he did get more touches, and it seemed as if everytime Pau got the ball in the post, the offense ran much more smoother and fluid.

Kobe, who said he played a "decoy" role in game 5 was even noticed during the game telling Pau to stop looking to pass, and go to work. He's shooting a ridiculous 72.8% from the field, but only getting just about 9.5 shots a game. While consistent when he gets the ball, Pau has had a nightmare series from the free throw line, shooting a low 67%.

Nuggets, Nene

We hear how well Carmelo has risen up to the occasion and how Chauncey is such a good leader. Then we hear about J.R. Smith's the key to the series, and if it wasn't for the Birdman, the Nuggets would be terrible. And while the stats may not show it, Nene has been instrumental in this series. It's been unfortunate that he has suffered at the expense of the refs with 24 fouls through 5 games, but through out the series, he has had huge offensive possessions with big momentum shifting dunks, and just all around good defense. And he's turned himself into a very good passer out of the post and on the swing around.

While his stats may not prove to be what we would call consistent, his play is. Whenever he is on the floor, the Nuggets have a much better chance of closing out a ball game or quarter than when he is sitting on the floor with foul trouble.

And to the other side...the East

Cavaliers, Delonte West

When you have a team where the same player who leads the league in scoring, leads the team in rebounding, assists and blocks, you may have a problem when it comes to finding more power on both the offensive front and defensive front. The series against the Magic has been a Lebron-dominated series with a little bit of Mo Williams' worthless quotes about guarantees and being the best team in basketball. If you don't ever watch the Cavs, after Lebron, Williams...you really don't have any other personalities or players you can talk about with flying colors. At one point you had Anderson Varejao but like Williams, he's only noticeable in the game in short, random glimpses.

It's actually hard to find somebody after Lebron, because he's played so well and so forcefully this series. But Delonte West has done a lot to have a secondary level of impact on the series. It's arguable that Mo Williams should be the secondary here, but at times in the game, we see him just attack and shoot the ball 3-4 possessions in a row to find a rhythm, but West just finds it within the game, and has had some big buckets throughout the series. He did miss the game winning shot at the end of Game 1, but the question begs...is he even supposed to be the guy the Cavs rely on to take that shot?

Getting 13 points a game and hitting double digits every game, West could secretly be the key to the Cavs coming back in this series.

Magic, Mickael Pietrus

Forget Superman, the self-proclaimed Euro Jordan or Rashard Lewis finally making his money count...Mickael Pietrus is ridiculous. And yes, Lebron has lit him up every game, for nearly 40 points, but this guy is making James straight up work for every single shot. Nothing is coming easy to Lebron, though he may make it appear to be so.

Averaging double digits in scoring at 14 points a game, Pietrus is a huge spark off the bench for the Magic, and a huge key to taking Orlando to the Finals. Hitting big shots or just finding the other open three point shooter on the floor, he's making his self-worth much more valuable than what a lot of people thought. He might have finally found a home in Orlando.