January 15, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Corey Brewer (13) warming up before the first half against the Portland Trailblazers at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 115-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
By the end of tomorrow evening we will be happily immersed in all the possibility, excitement and uncertainty that is playoff basketball.
There will be endless storylines and countless questions just begging to be answered. But what I’ll be looking forward to most are the role players that will take their game to new heights and the good players that elevate themselves to great. The players who will rise above the pressure, the expectations and all the nuances of the postseason to leave their mark.
Players who will make a name for themselves…
Stephen Curry: I’m not talking about people discovering Curry here. He’s clearly well on his way to becoming a household name and is this year’s most notorious all-star snub. I’m talking about Curry elevating his game when it matters most.
Because while breaking the NBA’s all-time record for the threes made in a season is impressive, carrying his team past the the first-round for only the second time in nearly two decades would breath life into the entire culture of Golden State basketball. And in turn solidify his name as not only one of the league’s great shooters, but one of it’s greatest players.
Omer Asik: Asik is probably the best center in the league that the casual NBA fan hasn’t seen. That said, by the end of the first-round you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone in the country who doesn’t love Asik’s motor and willingness to scrap for every lose ball. He’ll also have every opportunity to show why he’s the Rockets’ defensive anchor with slashers like Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant on hand.
Corey Brewer: For quite some time now Brewer has been considered a bust compared to his Florida teammates Al Horford and Joakim Noah. Fortunately the 27-year-old has finally found a home in George Karl’s wacky lineups and is thriving in a Denver Nuggets’ uniform. So much so that you could even make a legitimate case for him as this year’s most improved player. Don’t be surprise if Brewer drops 30 or makes a game-winning stop on any given night.
What players do YOU think will make a name for themselves in the postseason?