"What if... there was an MVP trophy awarded, who would it be for the Brooklyn Nets"?

by Wilfredo Lee/ AP from http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/plumlee-blocks-lebron-final-play-nets-sweep-heat-article-1.1750239

           I can see Mason Plumlee as the future of the Brooklyn Nets. His work ethic and defensive presence reminds me of Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers. Blake Griffin's game developed faster because the team wasn't a playoff team. In Griffin's rookie year, the next best player behind him was Eric Gordon, who looked like a max contract player at the time. The Clippers also had Eric Bledsoe but he was also a rookie like Griffin who didn't have much playing time. With Kevin Garnett moving back to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Plumlee will have more minutes. I would not be surprised if Mason Plumlee averages 15 points and 10 rebounds next season. The Brooklyn Nets are not a young team and Plumlee has the ability to improve his game which is hard work. If he can develop a consistent mid-range jumper and a low-post game, the Brooklyn Nets might be a top 4 team in the Eastern Conference. Deron Williams and Brook Lopez are suppose to be the center pieces of the franchise but instead are more of a liability than an asset. The organization needs to acquire younger pieces because Mason Plumlee is an energy-type player who can be effective as a starter or coming off the bench. His offense is not quite there and through time, he can play at both ends of the floor. I don't see Plumlee being traded in the near future.

What if... the Washington Wizards had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Howard Beck, NBA Senior Writer from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1811204-entering-year-four-john-wall-ready-to-deliver-on-his-promise

          The presence of Paul Pierce in the locker room and on the floor has been all about leadership. We know the departure of Trevor Ariza is missed but having Paul Pierce on your team is not bad in exchange. The Washington Wizards starting line-up consists of John Wall, Bradley Beal, Paul Pierce, Nene, and Marcin Gortat, is a pretty scary team to go against every night. They are an exciting and upcoming team in the Eastern Conference. John Wall has really changed his game and developed a mid-range jumper who can control his quickness and attack the paint at times. He is a better decision maker and thus has the ability to share the ball. In the league today, it is important to have a great point guard because they determine the tempo of the game.

          John Wall is averaging a league-high 10.2 assists along with 17.5 points. Last year, it was his first taste of playoffs and the Wizards managed to pass the first round. They went against a Chicago Bulls team without Derrick Rose but it was the experience that matters. Now that John Wall and his team knows what it's like to be in the playoffs, they will have a better preparation. With Paul Pierce, he understands how to win in the playoffs. Last season, it was very different for him to win with the Brooklyn Nets because it was an injured filled roster where Deron Williams and Brook Lopez were missing a portion of the season. This year, Pierce is surrounded by younger stars who gives him the most chance of winning another ring before he retires. They have the ability to go through to the Eastern Conference Finals this year. That should be their goal. Never aim low.

What If... the 16 teams with the best records went to the playoffs?

by Dan Feldman from http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/28/anthony-davis-puts-nba-on-quadruple-double-watch/

          It is a very opinionated debate regarding this question. If the playoffs were to start today, there would be ten teams from the West and six teams from the East. Many people have wondered if the 16 best teams should go against one another or eight from each side. TNT analyst and former NBA player, Charles Barkley has said it is unfair for those teams with above .500 from the West to miss the playoffs and teams below .500 from the East to make the playoffs.

          In last year's playoffs, the West was such a powerhouse that the Phoenix Suns, who had a 48-34 record but missed the playoffs. On the other hand, the New York Knicks had a 37-45 record and needed only 2 more wins to make the playoffs. The Atlanta Hawks were the eighth seed of the Eastern Conference. It goes to show the difference between the two conferences. For this year, it seems to be a bit of balance but the West still has the slighter edge. Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans could reach the playoffs if this change was to be made, making his hopes to the playoffs still alive. Should some teams move from the West to the East or should the 16 teams with the best records reach the playoffs?

What If... Josh Smith was the missing piece of the Houston Rockets?

by Bruce Bennett/ Getty Images North America from http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/sKm20-vGweh/Detroit+Pistons+v+Brooklyn+Nets/xaBrP0soNTy/Josh+Smith

          Will the Houston Rockets pass the second round of the competitive Western Conference? Now that Josh Smith is the starting power forward of the Houston Rockets, he will play alongside Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, and James Harden. Once Terrence Jones is healthy, he will come off the bench for his defensive presence and rebounding ability. Their bench could use more depth and the point guard position. Patrick Beverley is a great defender but he continues to struggle on offense. With the addition of Josh Smith, will he bring the Rockets over the hump and make them a title contender? We question his leadership when he was with the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons. Will he adapt to his new role as either the 3rd or 4th option of the team? Josh Smith has to sacrifice more of his game if the Rockets to be a dominant team on a nightly basis. It will take time to find his rhythm shifting from the Eastern Conference to the West. He will have a key role once the playoff comes when he has to defend power forwards like Blake Griffin and Zach Randolph. Can Smith bring the team to the next level? We shall see. 

What If... Kevin Garnett played like Tim Duncan at this age?

by Stephen Babb, Featured Columnist, Ronald Martinez/ Getty Images from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2087625-tim-duncan-can-become-first-player-ever-to-win-title-in-three-different-decades

         
          Kevin Garnett has had a great career since his years from Minnesota Timberwolves to winning a championship with the Boston Celtics. His role has changed dramatically after the trade to the Brooklyn Nets. As an veteran of the team, he is more of a vocal leader who has great advice to give back to the young players. Kevin Garnett is playing around 20 minutes per game which is respectable for his age. On the other hand, Tim Duncan who has been the centerpiece of the San Antonio Spurs for over a decade, was expecting a decline from people over the world who watches the game of basketball. But he has proven those non-believers wrong each and every year. He may not be the focal point of the offense, but when the team needs a bucket, he takes care of it. Tim Duncan has been an idol for many players and playing an elite level of basketball. He has secured an top ten player of all-time after he is set to retire. It is not Kevin Garnett's fault he is not playing the way he was ten years ago. Tim Duncan has rejuvenated himself and is still motivated to play for multiple years and contend for a title. If Kevin Garnett was to average a double-double like Duncan, the Brooklyn Nets would have a solid team. Maybe they would be a top five team in the Eastern Conference. We could compare the two players if it was five years ago. Now, Garnett is playing a limited role and Tim Duncan is an ageless wonder. We are not disappointed in Kevin Garnett. We are just amazed at what Tim Duncan has accomplished at the age of thirty-eight.

What If... Lance Stephenson stayed with the Indiana Pacers?

by Dan Favale, Ron Hoskins/ Getty Images from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1907195-is-lance-stephenson-playing-himself-out-of-indiana-pacers-price-range 

          Alright, we all know Lance Stephenson is not an all-star caliber player yet. Though, he is a great supporting role player that complemented Paul George, David West, and Roy Hibbert. If he was still a part of the Indiana Pacers, he could have played an important role as David West and George Hill were hurt at the beginning of the season. And of course, Paul George who is assumed to be out for the reason of the season after an injury during a scrimmage playing for Team USA. All hopes were up for Indiana Pacers reaching the Eastern conference finals as the Big 3 in Miami Heat broke apart last season. The Indiana Pacers had a nice chemistry between the starting players for a couple years hoping to last. If the Pacers knew Paul George's scenario, Lance Stephenson could've developed into a primary player for the team this year. They are desperately looking for a scoring punch as they have to rely on Chris Copeland and Solomon Hill. Stephenson's new team, Charlotte Hornets, are struggling to sustain a winning record as Lance Stephenson continue to learn a new system.