NBA

Cavalier's milestone

By VINCE THOMAS
Published April 22, 2006

JAMES, ANTHONY, WADE: When Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets tip off against the Clippers tonight, it'll mark a milestone for what could be the greatest trio of youngsters (Anthony, the Cavaliers' LeBron James and the Heat's Dwyane Wade) in league history. Bronny, Melo and D-Wade will be in the playoffs at the same time for the first time in their three-year careers. Anthony and Wade aren't strangers to the postseason - it's their third year. But the playoffs have been elusive for James. With all three younger than 25 and MVP candidates, standout performances in the playoffs would only add to their mystique and bolster league marketing.

KOBE'S BACK, CLIPPERS IN:

Kobe Bryant's back. And so is Phil Jackson. After a one-year hiatus, the league's marquee coach and, perhaps, its most recognizable star are back in the playoffs. The Lakers are the Yankees of the NBA, so they give these playoffs a buzz lacking last season. But check this: the Clippers will be in the house, too. It's their first appearance since 1992. If the Lakers upset the Suns and the Clippers take care of the Nuggets, that would mean an L.A.-L.A. series in the semifinals and, possibly, seven straight playoff games at the Staples Center.

San Antonio, Detroit and Miami are generally considered among the top four or five teams in the league, all championship contenders. But they all have some pressing problems heading into the postseason. The Heat's Shaquille O'Neal completed the worst statistical season of his career, with career lows in points and rebounds. Some might say that's because he averaged a career low in minutes, others that O'Neal no longer can take the grind at 34 years old. He missed 23 games with injuries. The Spurs, meanwhile, managed to win 63 games with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli operating at far less than 100 percent. Back East in Detroit, some are wondering if coach Flip Saunders worked his starting five - the best and most complete in the league - too hard, with each averaging 35 minutes or more. With frisky teams such as Dallas and New Jersey in the mix, the Pistons, Spurs and Heat can't afford to be too gimpy or lethargic.

Cleveland's Larry Hughes will be up against his old squad, Washington. Kobe and the Suns' Steve Nash, perhaps the two top MVP candidates, vie to see which team needs who the most. And the Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki and Memphis' Pau Gasol will post up each other, looking to settle the score of who's the NBA's best foreign big man.

As the 1996 playoffs began, there was no question as to who would take home the Larry O'Brien trophy. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman led the Chicago Bulls to a league-record 72 wins and there were no credible challengers. A decade later, Detroit, Miami, New Jersey, San Antonio, Dallas - even Phoenix, Cleveland and the Clippers - have a realistic shot at the title.

[Last modified April 22, 2006, 01:39:14]