The 2008 NBA Finals begin on Thursday and for the first time in years, people across the world are caring more about the names on the front of the jerseys than on the back since two teams with such a great championship pedigree are meeting.

But the individual performances in this year's playoffs have been impressive. Which players have played the best through the Conference Finals?

* Name, Team: Playoff Total FIC, FIC40

1. Kevin Garnett, BOS: 346, 18.2

By virtue of playing five more games than Kobe, he leads in total FIC, though he is 1.1 per 40 behind him in FIC40. Garnett is shooting 52% and being the all-around utility man

2. Tim Duncan, SAS: 319, 19.2

Duncan shot just 45% from the floor, but rebounded like it was 2003 with 14.5 per game.

3. Kobe Bryant, LAL: 292, 19.3

As I wrote in an article over the weekend, Kobe has finally elevated his performance in the postseason. He has easily been the MVP of the 2008 Playoffs heretofore.

4. Chris Paul, NOH: 263, 21.7

Paul has the highest FIC40 of any player in the playoffs, but he and the Hornets came up short in Game 7 against the Spurs. His 6.18 assist/turnover ratio is a mark we're unlikely to see duplicated in the playoffs for many seasons to come.

5. Pau Gasol, LAL: 255, 17.0

Gasol is shooting 53% from the floor and has become an even more important assist man for the Lakers, averaging 4.2 per game (up from 3.2 during the regular season).

6. LeBron James, CLE: 246, 17.8

LeBron averaged 28.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game against Washington and Boston.

7. Paul Pierce, BOS: 218, 11.5

Pierce has scored in double-figures in all but one of Boston's 20 playoff games.

8. Tony Parker, SAS: 218, 13.3

As was the case last season, Parker became more of a scorer in the playoffs than in the regular season.

9. Rajon Rondo, BOS: 213, 12.7

Rondo has played well but his inability to hit open perimeter shots hurts the Celtics when they attempt to iso.

10. Lamar Odom, LAL: 211, 14.9

Odom was less effective against San Antonio than he was in the first two series against Denver and Utah; his match-up against KG on the glass will be pivotal for L.A.

11. Deron Williams, UTA: 209, 16.4

Williams shot 49% from the field and a staggering 50% from beyond the arc.

12. Richard Hamilton, DET: 202, 12.3

Hamilton also had a 12.3 FIC40 during the regular season.

13. Dwight Howard, ORL: 198, 18.8

Howard shot 58% from the floor while grabbing 15.8 rebounds and blocking 3.4 blocks per game.

14. David West, NOH: 184, 15.2

West's inconsistencies during the Spurs' series was problematic for the Hornets, but '08 was overall a great first foray in the playoffs for the power forward.

15. Tayshaun Prince, DET: 175, 10.4

Prince was a stronger offensive option this year in the playoffs and that role should increase over the next few seasons.

16. Chauncey Billups, DET: 171, 14.2

Not having Billups 100% surely hurt Detroit in the Boston series, though they were 0-2 when he shot 15 or more times.

17. Mehmet Okur, UTA: 167, 14.5

Okur elevated his game from a FIC40 of 13.2 to 14.5.

18. Manu Ginobili, SAS: 163, 11.7

Manu's ankle limited him to just single-digit point totals in three of the five games against the Lakers.

19. Ray Allen, BOS: 162, 8.7

Allen found his shooting stroke in Game's 5 and 6 against the Pistons and will need to have a big series on both sides of the floor in the Finals.

20. Rasheed Wallace, DET: 161, 11.0

Wallace had a disappointing playoff run and his days in Detroit could be over.

21. Kendrick Perkins, BOS: 157, 11.7

If Perkins could put in just one performance in the Finals like he did in Game 5 against Detroit when he went for 18 and 16, Boston will gladly take it.

Via Christopher Reina/RealGM

Los Angeles Lakers

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