Gerald Wallace: Unsung hero to Playoff Contender

This is a basketball player I expected who would never ever make it this far in the NBA to reach his potential. Meet Gerald Wallace. From a castoff being on the Sacramento Kings' bench to finally becoming an NBA perennial basketball threat, Wallace is leading the surging Charlotte Bobcats to the Eastern Conference playoffs. Hopefully. This is only January and there is still plenty of basketball games to go around. His ability to shoot from three-point range and slashing moves to the basket gives opponents fits because of his athletic prowess. How can you guard a player like that? If you never expected the Bobcats to be in the playoffs, believe that Gerald Wallace is leading the pack. This guy can play. From the start, I heard about this guy before he entered the NBA and once he was playing for the Sacramento Kings, my heart jumped. The thing is, he never got much playing time when he was with Sacramento. When he was traded to Charlotte a few years back, I figured now Wallace now has the chance to prove what he's got to show. He's a prime-time NBA starter and is producing regularly like an All-Star starter should produce a la Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and Lebron James. Now? Gerald Wallace is on pace for being on the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the first time in his career. Sounds like an accomplishment? For someone who has extraordinary athleticism and versatility, you bet.

2010 NBA All-Star Game

As the 2010 NBA season hits its mid-mark of the year, fans better prepare for the biggest event of the basketball hoop world known as the NBA All-Star Game. For one weekend only, NBA fans will witness the greatest players in the world participate in a wide variety of events and activities designed to entertain audiences worldwide. Among such shows are the NBA Celebrity Game where celebrities will display their basketball skills on the court for all those to see. Also, on hand will be the NBA Rookie Challenge where the rookies of this year's NBA class will play together in a battle of Eastern Conference and Western Conference rookie clashes. As the weekend progresses, look forward to the Haier Shooting Stars, the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, and last of all the Sprite Slam Dunk contest. I think fans can expect a very exciting weekend from these up-and-coming NBA stars as the weekend will have a showdown of the top NBA basketball stars playing in Dallas' own American Airlines Arena. Among the All-Star starters, you can expect Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, and Amare Stoudemire, Lebron James, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Dwayne Wade, and Vince Carter to show up. My prediction for who will win All-Star MVP for 2010 will be Kobe Bryant. This is Bryant's year to rule the NBA after winning the NBA title last season for his fourth NBA championship.

Surge of the Thunder

Not many Western Conference perennial playoff contenders will realize this, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the rise. With a young group of players such as Kevin Durant leading the way, there is a reason why Western Conference foes should fear these Thunder. The way this team plays hard behind its leading scorer in Durant and their toughness to stick out to win tight games. With a supporting cast of young NBA stars in Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, this is a core that will give the Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets, and Spurs a run for their money. Their surprising start and a playoff berth, no higher than a sixth or seventh seed will be considered a big achievement in the history of the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder. I can't see the Thunder winning immediately, but the process to eventually win an NBA championship will eventually show on these young Thunder. As Durant grows with his basketball game, his supporting cast will get better over the years. If you ask me, if one of the top West teams falters in the playoffs because of better basketball talent, don't be surprised if the Thunder make it to the second round.