Recently awarded Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Garnett has guided the Celtics through the opening hurdle. Sixth Man, Manu Ginobili hit the game winner for the Spurs on Saturday to ice the Suns.
MVPs Chris Paul, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Garnett have been MVPs--Paul dominating the Mavs, LeBron single-handedly hushing the Wizards, Kobe being Kobe and jawing with Kenyon Martin en route to an easy W, etc.
The usual suspects have played just as usual--Deron Williams shakin' and bakin', T-Mac coming up short, Dwight Howard grabbing boards and taking names.
Besides the Pistons pit-fall in Game One, the Big Names have been themselves.
The difference makers have been the role players:
1. Michael Finley, G, Spurs
Without Finley, the Spurs could very well trail the Suns 0-2. With him, they are cruising 2-0.In the Game 1 Bonanza, he hit three 3's, none bigger than the game-tying dagger in the sunset of regulation to knot the game at 93. The Spurs went on to win in 2OT, 117-115.
In Game 2, the Spurs trailed the Suns 61-54 at the half. As the third quarter started, they needed offense.
Who'd they go to? Finley. Bang. Bang. Within 56 seconds, Finley made it 61-58 with back-to-back jumpers. A few possessions later, he hit another 2 to tie the game at 61.
Then midway through the quarter, he hit another to give the Spurs a 63-61 lead. They never looked back.
Sure the Suns made it close in the 4th, pulling with 5. But behind Finley's mid-range J's, they were in control the entire second half.
2. Reggie Evans, F, Sixers
In 32 minutes off the bench, Evans put up a double-double, 11 points and 14 boards, in a Game 1 road win over the Pistons.
As the game neared its close, Rasheed Wallace listened-in on a Sixers huddle. Immediately, Evans confronted him. Sure there were laughs, but Evans made it clear he wouldn't stand down.
2 years after resorting to dirty defense, getting caught in Chris Kaman's cookie jar, Evans cleanly held his ground against Detroit on Sunday. He played exactly how the Pistons usually do--physically and intelligently.
Ever since his days at Iowa, Evans has been effective and rugged. Against Detroit's big front line, he has been (and is) just what the Sixers need to remain competitive.
3. Daniel Gibson, G, Cavs
Don't look now, but Booby Gibson is at it again.
In the Cavs two wins at home, he has been a consistent spark off the bench.
Game 1: 28 mins, 11 points, 4-9 FG, 2 3's, 5 assists
Game 2: 29mins, 13 points, 4-8 FG, 2 3's, 3 assists
Just the kind of production off of the bench that they need. Especially with everybody collapsing and swinging at LeBron as he rumbles to the hoop.
So far, the Cavs have looked great. The series is far from over, but Gibson has been a big reason for the Cavs early 2-0 lead.
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