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TSN Basketball Analyst

Archive

1. DEMAR DEROZAN AND KYLE LOWRY (Raptors): When both of these guys are prepared and emotionally invested their 13 teammates respond. I’ve seen this duo lead the Raptors by example so many times over the years. Looking at Game 6 in Milwaukee on Thursday, we all know it will be a very difficult place to close out the series. With that being said, DeRozan and Lowry have been in this situation three times in the past and have failed to close the deal in a road Game 6. The two all-time Raptors have sharp basketball minds and a good sense of the moment. I think they realize the need to get it done on Thursday with the defending champion Cavaliers looming on Monday night in the East semis. Their leadership and approach will set the tone. Your best players not only have to produce – they also have to lead and inspire the others. Game 6 can be the next step in their growth and development as players.

2. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Cleveland took care of business with a first-round sweep of the Indiana Pacers. I love their professional ruthlessness. Now they sit and wait for the Bucks or Raptors. I found it very revealing last season that they pointed to their back-to-back sweeps in the first two rounds and the win over the Raptors on the road in Game 6 of the East final as keys to having the energy to come back from a 3-1 deficit against the Warriors in the championship round. Every extra playoff game taxes you, so having a chance to rest and recover helps you in the next round. The Cavs know how to get it done at this time of year. Have the Raptors matured enough to have the same approach? They'll need everything they've got to be able to pull off an upset of the Cavs in Round 2 if they get there. Don't mess around.

3. JOE JOHNSON (Jazz): The man is still bringing it at age 35. He’s averaging close to 19 points per game in the series versus the Clippers, helping his team take a 3-2 lead. I'm so impressed with the creativity of his scoring and his pure strength. What a fabulous pickup by Utah general manager Dennis Lindsay going into this season. He’s the ideal veteran hired gun for an inexperienced playoff team.

4. PATTY MILLS (Spurs): I love the San Antonio guard’s energy and ferocious spirit. He comes to play every night. He was huge in Game 5, with 20 points off the bench. He's coming at you full steam ahead and is tough to slow down in transition. Getting him going provided a major spark for their club to go up 3-2 on the pesky Grizzlies.

5. LOU WILLIAMS (Rockets): Some folks shook their heads when Houston acquired him from the Lakers in February. There were questions about the Rockets need to add yet another scorer to an already stacked lineup and his weaknesses on defence. Those were valid concerns, but Houston’s style of play is ideal for his skills. Williams has proven to be an excellent fit, averaging close to 19 points and more than four rebounds per game in the series against the Thunder. He's a crafty player who knows how to make the most of his minutes. He has some flaws but he's a big-time scorer. That works just fine in Houston.