Scoring: LeBron – The King is averaging 35.3 points in the playoffs
Assists: LeBron – The great Cavalier dishes an average of 6.9 assists.
Rebounds: LeBron – Mr. James is grabbing 8.6 boards per outing.
Blocked Shots: Kobe – The Black Mamba is just barely ahead.
Steals: Kobe – The former #8 is averaging 1.93 steals in the playoffs.
FG%: LeBron – The crab dribbler is shooting 53.1%.
3P%: Kobe – Vanessa’s husband is hitting 37.7% of his threes.
FT%: Kobe – Jellybean’s son is nailing more than 88% of his freebies.

After these eight fantasy basketball categories, Kobe and LeBron are tied at four. I guess The Great Debate will have to continue.

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Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (Image: Newscom)

C Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
After plenty of rest following his Game 6 suspension in the first round, look for Dwight Howard to try to beat up on the depleted Boston Celtics. With Kevin Garnett out, Howard could go off.

PF Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
The Nuggets are a difficult matchup but Dirk Nowitzki should be able to have a solid series. He started off slow against the San Antonio Spurs but is starting to heat up.

SF LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Nobody is playing as well or as determined as LeBron James. He’s a fantasy basketball beast at this point.

SG Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are going to get a tough test from the Houston Rockets. That said, expect Kobe Bryant to get loose for a few big games.

PG Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets
In the first round, Chauncey Billups was amazing. Against the Mavs, he’ll try to continue that magic.

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Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
For much of this season, Josh Smith disappointed. He was either gimpy, unhappy or unmotivated. Whatever the case may have been, Smith is back at the top of his game and has a chance to be a fantasy beast in the playoffs.

Glen Davis, Boston Celtics
With Kevin Garnett out for the entire NBA playoffs, Glenn Davis is now the starting power forward for the Celtics. While he’s not nearly as good as Garnett, he’ll get a lot of minutes and he’s capable of putting numbers on the board.

J.J. Barea, Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs have a number of quality players but J.J. Barea is a sleeper who could decide how well Dallas does in the postseason. He’s been called the Puerto Rican Steve Nash and there’s good reason.

Shannon Brown, Los Angeles Lakers
Not long ago, Shannon Brown was deep on the bench for the Lakers. But after impressive play, Phil Jackson has moved Brown up the depth charts and now he’s playing a healthy amount of minutes as the backup point guard.

Shannon Brown Video:

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WESTERN CONFERENCE

1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8) Utah Jazz
The Lakers are the overwhelming favorites and should have an easy time against the slumping Jazz.

2) Denver Nuggets vs. 7) New Orleans Hornets
If the Hornets can get healthy, they could pull the upset against the good but not great Nuggets.

3) San Antonio Spurs vs. 6) Dallas Mavericks
These two Texas teams are sure to put on a show for our viewing pleasure.

4) Portland Trail Blazers vs. 5) Houston Rockets
The Blazers have homecourt advantage and should be able to handle the Rockets.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8) Detroit Pistons
The Cavs had the best record in the NBA and should make short work of the Pistons.

2) Boston Celtics vs. 7) Chicago Bulls
Even with a gimpy Kevin Garnett, the Celtics should beat the Bulls.

3) Orlando Magic vs. 6) Philadelphia 76ers
Neither team has been overly impressive lately, although the Magic should win handily.

4) Atlanta Hawks vs. 5) Miami Heat
The Hawks have the depth but the Heat have by far the best player in Dwyane Wade. Expect Wade to come out victorious.

Dwyane Wade 2009 highlight reel video:

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Nelson is a fantasy owner’s dream. He doesn’t care much about defense or playing big, plodding centers. Instead, Nelson is all about scoring. He’ll put five perimeter players on the court if he thinks it will give him the best chance to win.

If Nelson were to retire, that would have had a negative impact on the fantasy stock of all the players on the Warriors. However, with him coming back, there really shouldn’t be a change in the value of any of the players. You can expect more of the same that we saw last season.

Baron Davis could potentially opt out of his contract this summer but he’s due approximately $17 million for next season and will most likely return. The Warriors, who missed out on the playoffs despite having a winning record, will aim to return to the 2009 playoffs in what could possibly be Nellie’s last season as coach.

Photo: Newscom

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