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MY FAVOURITES FOR 12 HOOPS CATEGORIES
by Jack Armstrong (Raptors TV color man/analyst, former head coach @ Niagara)

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=308577

Happy February! We're getting that much closer to springtime and the NBA Playoffs and I'm loving how the Conference races are shaping up. In the words of the great basketball philosopher Hedo Turkoglu, "BALL!" So let talk ball!

I figured I'd have some fun this week with a dozen hoops categories and my favourites for each.

Enjoy!

1. THE BEST ALL AROUND PLAYER (LeBron James-Cavs): Wow! Have you watched him lately. He's been on a tear. I'm so impressed with his level of passion right now. He's so versatile. Does it all. Rebounds, assists, improved defence, scores, shooting it better, can go to rim with either hand. Pound for pound as good as you get at any time.

2. BEST ASSASSIN (Kobe Bryant-Lakers): Ask Celtics fans about him. This dude is cold-blooded. I need a guy in the league right now to take the big shot or make the big play - he's my man. He'll rip your heart out to win. Love him. Want him on my side in the fox hole.

3. MOST VERSATILE BIG MAN (Chris Bosh-Raptors): He's improved big-time this year. He can score in a multitude of ways and has gotten stronger/tougher in the low post. Had made great strides with his strength/stamina and has become as reliable in the fourth quarter as in the first. He's a very difficult cover right now and his confidence is sky high. Deservedly so, he's earned it by paying the price in the off-season to become a better player. Input = Output.

4. GRITTIEST YOUNG BIG MAN (Marc Gasol-Grizzlies): The Grizzlies are one of the great stories of the league this year and this kid is as tough as nails. His brother, Pau (Lakers) is a wonderful player-fluid and graceful. Marc is all lunch pail. Absolute tough dude. Gets after it on glass, will fight you for position in low post, sets hard screens and lays the hammer to cutters in the lane. Love his improvement.

5. GO GET THE 50/50 BALL: (Dwight Howard-Magic): You need the big rebound in traffic? Dwight is your man. Incoming!! He's so strong and long. Great traffic instincts for rebounds - has a nose for it. Great leaping ability and pursuit. Effort is a big part of the job and he brings it here.

6. BEST LEAD GUARD (Chris Paul-Hornets): Hope he gets through the knee surgery/rehab okay. He's a dynamic player. Love his ability to change speed and get to the rim. Outstanding screen and roll guy. Awesome in the open court. Good defender who can disrupt your flow. High Basketball IQ. Loves to compete.

7. BIG 3 POINT SHOT (Chauncey Billups-Nuggets): Clock is winding down. Nuggets go High Ball screen or flatten the floor with a low 1-4 alignment. Mr. 'Big Shot' is going to work. He did it in Detroit as well. He has a knack at the back end of the shot clock to create a look and make a big distance 3.

8. MOST SELFLESS PLAYER (Steve Nash-Suns): He's is the ideal team leader. In a sport that has gone way too individualistic he's an absolute joy to watch. A true servant for others. Cares so much about making his teammates happy. All about making the right play for the good of the team. Special guy.

9. IMPACT THE GAME-MULTIPLE CATEGORIES (Josh Smith-Hawks): I know,I know. I could say LeBron here but I'm in a giving mood. No Multiple Winners!! Check out Smith. He blocks shots--some awesome ones by the way, he gets steals, he rebounds in traffic and he's a high flyer when you get the running game going. He intrigues me. He's matured some these past 12-16 months and still has a way to go but boy oh boy he's fun to watch when he's engaged in the process.
10. MOST HARD NOSED PLAYER (Gerald Wallace-Bobcats): He's as reckless and fearless as they come. He's looking for contact and has great determination on all the hustle plays. Great competitor. His skills have improved as well. He's got the motor and plays all out.

11. TOUGHEST DUDE IN THE LEAGUE (Ron Artest-Lakers): This man is nasty. When he wants to get into you--he's taking over your space and making you feel very uncomfortable. When that old temper gets brewing - watch out. Players know when he's around. When he's fired up - clear a path for him. If I'm working down a dark alley I want him right next to me. And for fun, I'll bring Mr. Ben Wallace (Pistons) along too to keep me safe. No messing with these dudes.

12. BIGGEST HEART (Dwyane Wade-Heat): Love him. Awesome competitor and fearless. Gets a ton out of his ability. Don't get me wrong - he's really talented but he's gets every bit of it out of himself. The Heat are not that talented a group. He 'wills' his team a lot of nights. Got lots of respect for him.
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“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”
Albert Einstein