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Houston Rockets – James Harden is the Complete Package
Perfect player? Nope. James Harden still has quite a few flaws in his game and consistency before we can talk about perfection. Still, 14 games into the 2012-2013 NBA Season, the Houston Rockets couldn’t have asked for a better player and trade to fall into their lap than the shooting guard that simply wanted to feel a bit more appreciated.
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Oklahoma City Thunder – The Easiest Game of the Season
No one thought it would be this easy, even if there’s a good chance that the Oklahoma City Thunder, like most of the NBA, signaled this game as a definite W when they took an early glance at the schedule for the 2012-2013 NBA season.
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Brooklyn Nets – Deron Williams Shines Through Injury
Some nights on a long NBA season mean more than others. The Brooklyn Nets shouldn’t be only about owning the city; this is about turning the franchise into a perennial playoff contender and even more, like it was a decade ago. Deron Williams, injured or not, is the center of all that hope and ambition.
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Boston Celitcs – Rajon Rondo Keeps Touching Greatness
Still no triple double this season for Rajon Rondo, who has missed out on his first by not having a rebound or two more for a third time this NBA season. It doesn’t matter. Rondo might not be able to hit open jumpers if his life depended on it, but he’s the main reason the Boston Celtics will remain in contention in the East.
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New York Knicks – Carmelo Anthony for MVP
It’s still early in the NBA season for anyone to really break away from the pack in the MVP race, but Carmelo Anthony seems to be the popular choice at the moment, keeping the New York Knicks perfect at home and playing at a much higher level on offense and defense than anyone expected.
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Los Angeles Lakers – Finally Not Just Kobe Bryant
In an attempt to find a balanced offense, the Los Angeles Lakers began the season 0-4 on the road, with the same tune playing again: Kobe Bryant taking up the bulk of the shots and the offense, leading the NBA in scoring with 26.9 points per game so far. Maybe that trend is finally changing for the better.
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Miami Heat – Ray Allen Takes Over for LeBron James
It had to happen at one point or another during the season; Ray Allen stealing the spotlight from the real stars of the Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James not just by hitting the game winning shot (which he has already done this season) but by carrying the team on his back in the fourth quarter.
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Chicago Bulls – Surprise Contribution From Carlos Boozer
The Chicago Bulls have all but given up on Carlos Boozer. Yes, he’s playing almost 30 minutes a night and averaging very close to a double double, but there’s not much hope in the organization that the 10-year veteran can give them back, on the court, what they gave him when he was signed for a huge contract.
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Houston Rockets – James Harden Stealing the Show
This was never supposed to happen; James Harden becoming a front row superstar in this NBA Season. Instead of standing in the shadow of two huge stars (and great players), James Harden got traded to the Houston Rockets and simply took over, showing he’s one of the better scorers in the league.
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Memphis Grizzlies – Rudy Gay Like He Needs to Be
Everyone knows the Memphis Grizzlies are a fantastic defensive team, but in order to become more than just a dark horse contender in the West, to look and play like a team that can go all the way, they need offense, and specifically Rudy Gay playing like one of the best small forwards in the NBA.