The Cavaliers will have no trouble scoring at an efficient rate with offensive talents like LeBron, Love and Kyrie sharing the floor. The real question is how good will the Cavaliers be on defense, particularly their interior defense? Read more »

Gregg Popovich successfully implemented a system—where no single individual was bigger than his teammates—no matter how talented he was. Read more »

With Rashard Lewis’ emergence, Shane Battier and James Jones have been bumped from the rotation and the Heat success is contingent on Lewis continuing to knock down open shots. Read more »

For all the trouble and ‘lines-crossed’ that Lance Stephenson brings to the table, it is easy to overlook that he is only 23 years old and still learning how to be a professional. In this day and age in the league, young talented swingmen don’t grow on trees, especially not one in the second round. Read more »

Kawhi Leonard must force Kevin Durant into becoming a scorer rather than a playmaker. While Leonard was on the court against Durant during the regular season, he managed to hold him to nine assists and 15 turnovers along with shooting slightly under 47 percent and 1-8 from three in 48 minutes. Read more »

Coaches will always be the initial scapegoat when struggles surface, and usually the first one to face the consequences. Yet, the recent firings of coaches after strong seasons seem more like a coincidence more so than a new trend. Read more »

The list of candidates surfacing for the Lakers at least gives us a good idea of the type of direction they are looking to take the team in the short and long-term future. Read more »

Ever since James Harden was traded away, the Thunder have been frantically searching for that dynamic scoring option off the bench. Reggie Jackson played that role in Game 4. Read more »

LaMarcus Aldridge has been the best player on the planet in the Blazers' first two playoff wins, but Damian Lillard remains the driving force for this club. Read more »

Like Bill Belichick with the Patriots, Gregg Popovich conducts a strict system style of team ball consequently demanding respect and discipline from every player, no matter how valuable or invaluable they are to the franchise. Read more »

Al Jefferson has often been considered an overrated stat compiler in his career, but he has posted his best season and has the Bobcats in the playoffs. Read more »

Victor Oladipo had analysts dubbing him as the preseason favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award until Michael Carter-Williams' stat-stuffing season began. Read more »

The Nets have abandoned much of their halfcourt sets in favor of a more up-tempo pace and Shaun Livingston has been at the forefront of the new identity Jason Kidd has tried to establish. Read more »

In this chaotic season for the Bulls—where injuries and trades defined their season—everyone figured they were left for dead. Since the beginning of the New Year, nobody could have predicted the Bulls quick turnaround led by the amazing evolution of Joakim Noah's game. Read more »

With the thinnest bench during the Big 3 era, Pat Riley may be forcing LeBron James to produce several 2007-esque performances to complete their threepeat. Read more »

Anthony Bennett admitted to be being "as surprised as anyone else" when he was drafted first overall by the Cavaliers and the start of his rookie season demonstrated why. The undersized power forward is gradually starting to show flashes of the athletic talent that made him look like a lottery pick last June. Read more »

The Kings have been going through major changes with a new coach, new personnel on the roster and a new ownership group. Perhaps most importantly, DeMarcus Cousins appears to be maturing and he's also become one of the NBA's most productive players. Read more »