The NBA All-Star break is over and several surprise teams are eyeing the playoffs. These three players must come up big to keep their team’s playoff dreams alive:
Gerald Wallace » The Bobcats’ first All-Star in team history leads the NBA in minutes per game and is a defensive player of the year candidate. He’s the best rebounder for his size (6-foot-7) averaging 10.9 a game (seventh in the NBA). If the Bobcats — currently sixth in the East — make the playoffs it could be trouble for the conference-leading Cavs. Charlotte has defeated Cleveland twice and held LeBron James to an average of 22.7 points in three games this season.
Aaron Brooks » The Rockets are just two games out of eighth place and a main reason is because of their speedy point guard. Without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, Brooks has stepped up as the team’s leading scorer (19.4 points per game). The Rockets could pose a threat to the Lakers if they sneak into the playoffs. L.A. is susceptible to fast point guards like Brooks, who averaged 26.3 points in the Rockets’ three wins against the Lakers in last year’s Western Conference semifinals.
Zach Randolph » The Grizzlies’ roster is filled with talented young players, but if Memphis has any chance to make the playoffs it will be because of their eight-year veteran forward. Randolph is one of three players in the league averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. Memphis lost six of seven heading into the break, falling three games back of eighth place in the West.
