Player Ratings for Every Team In NBA 2K15

The NBA season is right around the corner and that means 2KSports is coming out with NBA2K15. The game will be in stores on October 7th. LeBron James is the highest rated player in the game. The ratings for every player on an NBA2K15 roster are listed below.

LeBron James returns to Cleveland this season and he is also
the highest rated player in NBA 2K15. 

Atlanta Hawks

85 - Paul Millsap
83 - Al Horford
78 - Jeff Teague
78 - Kyle Korver
75 - DeMarre Carroll
74 - Thabo Sefolosha
74 - Kent Bazemore
72 - Mike Scott
71 - Adreian Payne
71 - Shelvin Mack
70 - Dennis Schroder
69 - Pero Antic
68 - John Jenkins

Boston Celtics

87 - Rajon Rondo
78 - Avery Bradley
78 - Jeff Green
78 - Jared Sullinger
76 - Evan Turner
76 - Marcus Smart
76 - Marcus Thornton
75 - Brandon Bass
74 - Gerald Wallace
74 - Kelly Olynyk
72 - Vitor Faverani
70 - Tyler Zeller
70 - Phil Pressey
68 - James Young
66 - Joel Anthony

Brooklyn Nets

84 - Deron Williams
83 - Brook Lopez
82 - Joe Johnson
77 - Mason Plumlee
77 - Kevin Garnett
74 - Andrei Kirilenko
74 - Bojan Bogdanovic
74 - Jarrett Jack
71 - Mirza Teletovic
71 - Alan Anderson
69 - Marquis Teague
68 - Markel Brown
66 - Sergey Karasev

Charlotte Hornets

87 - Al Jefferson
84 - Lance Stephenson
82 - Kemba Walker
78 - Gerald Henderson
77 - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
75 - Gary Neal
74 - Brian Roberts
73 - Cody Zeller
73 - Marvin Williams
73 - Bismack Biyombo
72 - Noah Vonleh
72 - Jeff Taylor
71 - P.J. Hairston
67 - Jannero Pargo

Chicago Bulls

88 - Derrick Rose
87 - Joakim Noah
82 - Pau Gasol
80 - Taj Gibson
80 - Jimmy Butler
76 - Kirk Hinrich
75 - Doug McDermott
75 - Nikola Mirotic
74 - Mike Dunleavy
73 - Aaron Brooks
72 - Tony Snell
66 - Cameron Bairstow

Cleveland Cavaliers

98 - LeBron James
89 - Kevin Love
86 - Kyrie Irving
78 - Dion Waiters
77 - Shawn Marion
76 - Tristan Thompson
75 - Anderson Varejao
74 - Mike Miller
72 - Matthew Dellavedova
69 - James Jones
69 - John Lucas
66 - Malcolm Thomas
65 - Brendan Haywood

Dallas Mavericks

88 - Dirk Nowitzki
82 - Monta Ellis
79 - Chandler Parsons
79 - Tyson Chandler
76 - Jameer Nelson
75 - Devin Harris
75 - Brandan Wright
74 - Raymond Felton
74 - Al-Farouq Aminu
72 - Jae Crowder
72 - Richard Jefferson
67 - Gal Mekel
67 - Ricky Ledo
67 - Greg Smith

Denver Nuggets

84 - Ty Lawson
81 - Kenneth Faried
78 - Arron Afflalo
78 - Wilson Chandler
77 - Danilo Gallinari
77 - J.J. Hickson
76 - Nate Robinson
74 - JaVale McGee
74 - Randy Foye
74 - Timofey Mozgov
71 - Gary Harris
69 - Jusuf Nurkic
69 - Darrell Arthur
68 - Quincy Miller

Detroit Pistons

83 - Andre Drummond
80 - Brandon Jennings
80 - Josh Smith
80 - Greg Monroe
76 - Caron Butler
76 - D.J. Augustin
75 - Jodie Meeks
74 - Kyle Singler
72 - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
71 - Jonas Jerebko
70 - Will Bynum
70 - Cartier Martin
68 - Tony Mitchell
67 - Luigi Datome
67 - Aaron Gray

Golden State Warriors

89 - Stephen Curry
82 - Klay Thompson
82 - Andre Iguodala
82 - David Lee
80 - Andrew Bogut
77 - Draymond Green
76 - Harrison Barnes
74 - Shaun Livingston
72 - Marreese Speights
69 - Brandon Rush
67 - Ognjen Kuzmic
67 - Nemanja Nedovic
67 - Festus Ezeli

Houston Rockets

88 - James Harden
88 - Dwight Howard
78 - Patrick Beverley
78 - Trevor Ariza
77 - Terrence Jones
72 - Isaiah Canaan
71 - Troy Daniels
71 - Jeff Adrien
71 - Nick Johnson
69 - Alonzo Gee
69 - Donatas Motiejunas
69 - Robert Covington
68 - Ish Smith
67 - Josh Powell

Indiana Pacers

89 - Paul George
80 - David West
80 - Roy Hibbert
78 - George Hill
77 - Luis Scola
75 - Rodney Stuckey
75 - Ian Mahinmi
75 - C.J. Watson
73 - C.J. Miles
71 - Chris Copeland
68 - Lavoy Allen
66 - Solomon Hill
65 - Donald Sloan

Los Angeles Clippers

91 - Chris Paul
89 - Blake Griffin
81 - DeAndre Jordan
80 - Jamal Crawford
77 - J.J. Redick
76 - Matt Barnes
76 - Spencer Hawes
74 - Glen Davis
74 - Jared Dudley
72 - Jordan Farmar
69 - Reggie Bullock
67 - C.J. Wilcox

Los Angeles Lakers

89 - Kobe Bryant
78 - Carlos Boozer
78 - Nick Young
77 - Jeremy Lin
76 - Jordan Hill
76 - Steve Nash
76 - Julius Randle
73 - Ed Davis
73 - Wesley Johnson
73 - Xavier Henry
71 - Ryan Kelly
70 - Jordan Clarkson
67 - Robert Sacre

Memphis Grizzlies

85 - Marc Gasol
84 - Zach Randolph
83 - Mike Conley
78 - Tony Allen
76 - Courtney Lee
77 - Vince Carter
75 - Tayshaun Prince
74 - Beno Udrih
72 - Kosta Koufos
72 - Nick Calathes
71 - Jordan Adams
71 - Jarnell Stokes
69 - Jon Leuer
69 - Jamaal Franklin
68 - Quincy Pondexter

Miami Heat

86 - Dwyane Wade
84 - Chris Bosh
79 - Luol Deng
76 - Danny Granger
75 - Mario Chalmers
75 - Chris Andersen
75 - Norris Cole
74 - Josh McRoberts
74 - Shabazz Napier
72 - Udonis Haslem
70 - James Ennis
69 - Justin Hamilton
66 - Reggie Williams

Milwaukee Bucks

79 - Brandon Knight
79 - Larry Sanders
78 - Jabari Parker
77 - O.J. Mayo
75 - Khris Middleton
75 - John Henson
75 - Nate Wolters
74 - Jerryd Bayless
74 - Kendall Marshall
74 - Giannis Antetokounmpo
73 - Ersan Ilyasova
70 - Carlos Delfino
69 - Zaza Pachulia
67 - Miroslav Raduljica
67 - Johnny O'Bryant

Minnesota Timberwolves

81 - Nikola Pekovic
79 - Ricky Rubio
79 - Kevin Martin
78 - Thaddeus Young
77 - Andrew Wiggins
76 - Mo Williams
75 - Corey Brewer
74 - J.J. Barea
72 - Gorgui Dieng
72 - Zach LaVine
70 - Anthony Bennett
70 - Chase Budinger
68 - Robbie Hummel
68 - Ronny Turiaf
67 - Shabazz Muhammad

New Orleans Pelicans

88 - Anthony Davis
82 - Jrue Holiday
79 - Eric Gordon
78 - Tyreke Evans
77 - Ryan Anderson
76 - Omer Asik
73 - John Salmons
72 - Jimmer Fredette
72 - Austin Rivers
69 - Russ Smith
69 - Darius Miller
69 - Jeff Withey
68 - Alexis Ajinca
66 - Luke Babbitt

New York Knicks

89 - Carmelo Anthony
78 - Jose Calderon
78 - J.R. Smith
77 - Amar'e Stoudemire
77 - Iman Shumpert
77 - Tim Hardaway Jr
76 - Samuel Dalembert
72 - Pablo Prigioni
72 - Jason Smith
72 - Andrea Bargnani
72 - Shane Larkin
70 - Cleanthony Early
69 - Travis Outlaw
67 - Quincy Acy
67 - Cole Aldrich

Oklahoma City Thunder

95 - Kevin Durant
88 - Russell Westbrook
84 - Serge Ibaka
78 - Reggie Jackson
74 - Kendrick Perkins
74 - Nick Collison
74 - Steven Adams
73 - Jeremy Lamb
73 - Anthony Morrow
69 - Perry Jones III
68 - Andre Roberson
68 - Mitch McGary
65 - Josh Huestis
65 - Hasheem Thabeet

Orlando Magic

80 - Nikola Vucevic
78 - Victor Oladipo
76 - Channing Frye
76 - Tobias Harris
74 - Elfrid Payton
74 - Aaron Gordon
74 - Maurice Harkless
72 - Luke Ridnour
72 - Ben Gordon
72 - Evan Fournier
71 - Willie Green
71 - Andrew Nicholson
70 - Kyle O'Quinn
66 - Dewayne Dedmon

Philadelphia 76ers

80 - Michael Carter-Williams
77 - Joel Embiid
76 - Nerlens Noel
74 - Luc Mbah a Moute
74 - Tony Wroten
73 - Jason Richardson
71 - Hollis Thompson
70 - Elliot Williams
70 - Alexey Shved
69 - Henry Sims
68 - Arnett Moultrie
68 - Jerami Grant
67 - Jarvis Varnado
65 - Brandon Davies

Phoenix Suns

84 - Goran Dragic
81 - Eric Bledsoe
80 - Isaiah Thomas
78 - Markieff Morris
78 - Miles Plumlee
78 - Gerald Green
76 - P.J. Tucker
75 - Marcus Morris
73 - Anthony Tolliver
72 - T.J. Warren
71 - Tyler Ennis
69 - Archie Goodwin
67 - Alex Len
64 - Shavlik Randolph

Portland Trail Blazers

88 - LaMarcus Aldridge
87 - Damian Lillard
79 - Nicolas Batum
78 - Wesley Matthews
77 - Robin Lopez
76 - Chris Kaman
75 - Thomas Robinson
72 - Dorell Wright
72 - C.J. McCollum
71 - Steve Blake
70 - Will Barton
68 - Meyers Leonard
68 - Joel Freeland
67 - Allen Crabbe
66 - Victor Claver

Sacramento Kings

86 - DeMarcus Cousins
82 - Rudy Gay
79 - Darren Collison
75 - Jason Thompson
75 - Carl Landry
74 - Nik Stauskas
74 - Ray McCallum
74 - Ben McLemore
74 - Jason Terry
74 - Reggie Evans
71 - Derrick Williams
71 - Wayne Ellington
67 - Jeremy Tyler

San Antonio Spurs

90 - Tim Duncan
88 - Tony Parker
85 - Kawhi Leonard
83 - Manu Ginobili
78 - Danny Green
78 - Boris Diaw
77 - Tiago Splitter
77 - Patrick Mills
75 - Marco Belinelli
73 - Matt Bonner
73 - Cory Joseph
67 - Jeff Ayres
67 - Austin Daye
67 - Kyle Anderson

Toronto Raptors

85 - Kyle Lowry
85 - DeMar DeRozan
78 - Jonas Valanciunas
77 - Amir Johnson
77 - Louis Williams
76 - Terrence Ross
76 - Greivis Vasquez
75 - Patrick Patterson
73 - Tyler Hansbrough
70 - James Johnson
69 - Chuck Hayes
69 - Landry Fields
64 - Bruno Caboclo

Utah Jazz

79 - Gordon Hayward
78 - Derrick Favors
76 - Alec Burks
75 - Trey Burke
75 - Enes Kanter
74 - Dante Exum
74 - Trevor Booker
72 - Steve Novak
71 - Rodney Hood
71 - Rudy Gobert
70 - Jeremy Evans
68 - Carrick Felix
67 - Ian Clark

Washington Wizards

86 - John Wall
81 - Bradley Beal
81 - Paul Pierce
81 - Marcin Gortat
80 - Nene
76 - Andre Miller
74 - Kevin Seraphin
73 - Kris Humphries
73 - Martell Webster
71 - DeJuan Blair
70 - Drew Gooden
69 - Glen Rice Jr
68 - Garrett Temple
68 - Otto Porter

Notable Free Agents

78 - Ray Allen
76 - Ramon Sessions
75 - Andray Blatche
75 - Elton Brand
74 - Jordan Crawford
73 - Rashard Lewis
73 - Emeka Okafor
73 - Jermaine O'Neal
73 - Andrew Bynum
72 - Chauncey Billups
72 - Michael Beasley

Sports Talk With James and Mario

James Rapien and Mario DeRamus talk about LeBron James' decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, ask if the Cavaliers should trade Andrew Wiggins and talk about the Cincinnati Bengals chances in 2014.

LeBron's Return: Compilation of Newspaper Front Pages

A LeBron James Billboard is Already Up in Cleveland

LeBron James announced his return to Cleveland Friday afternoon. This billboard of "The Chosen One" went up just hours later in downtown Cleveland:

Could Carlos Boozer Land in Miami?

The Chicago Bulls are considering using the amnesty provision on veteran forward Carlos Boozer according to reports.

This could be the break the Miami Heat need. If Boozer is amnestied, he would become a perfect fit in South Beach. He wanted to sign there in 2010 before the Heat opted to sign Chris Bosh. Now, Boozer might be willing to take less money, since the Bulls will still pay him his full $16.8 million salary if they amnesty him.

The Bulls may be hard pressed to find a partner for a potential sign-and-trade according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times.

A source said Wednesday that Boozer’s departure is a “done deal,” adding that Boozer’s camp already has been informed. There haven’t been any takers on a sign-and-trade for Boozer, and the Bulls also want the money to go in a different direction, whether Carmelo Anthony is in the mix or not.

Boozer does own a home in Miami. Could he be the guy that convinces LeBron James to stay in South Beach? There's no reason to expect that, although it would be a step in the right direction.

Boozer averaged 13.7 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game last season.

NBA Finals: LeBron needs to raise his game for Heat to three-peat

When the “Big 3” came together in July 2010, the Miami Heat instantly became the favorites to win multiple NBA titles. This season they find themselves trying to win three-straight NBA championships. They’re making a fourth-straight NBA Finals appearance. If the Heat are going to join elite company, they need the best player in the world to play even better.

LeBron James is already one of the greatest players to ever play. Now, he is looking to join Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal with a three-peat of his own. James has the opportunity to show his greatness can cover up a flawed Heat roster against a well-oiled juggernaut like the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs have the better head coach, the better point guard, the better frontcourt and have a deeper bench. Can James be good enough in this series to help his Heat overcome it? The Spurs are going to force him to shoot jump shots. James, who is shooting 42 percent on midrange shots in these playoffs, is going to have to make them at a higher percentage. Why would Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich try to limits James’ drives? James is shooting 81 percent at the rim, and scoring on 69 percent of his drives in the playoffs.

Bryant was able to hit outside shots in the playoffs. Jordan’s jumper continued to improve and he embraced the challenge of having to make jump shots under pressure. Now it’s James’ turn. It’s his turn to show that he can take the next step. He is already dominant. He is the best player in the world. But, he does have limitations. If he can make jump shots early in the series it may force the Spurs to play him tight and open up more driving lanes.

James may need to average 30+ points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in this series for the Heat to be victorious. He is going to have to have one of, if not the greatest single NBA Finals performance ever if the Heat are going to get past the Spurs.

James is going to have his hands full with Kawhi Leonard. Leonard, 6’7” has slowed him down before. He held James to his worst shooting performance of the season (6-18).

Can LeBron James play at an historically great level
against the scrappy Kawhi Leonard?

In last year’s NBA Finals James shot 53 percent when Leonard was on the bench. Compare that to the 47 percent he shot with Leonard on the court and it becomes obvious that Leonard could be James’ kryptonite. His long arms and big hands make him a tough matchup for James. Leonard was named to the All-NBA Defensive Second-Team.

The Spurs are the better team. They are more determined than ever to win a championship. Tim Duncan wants to avenge last year’s defeat in the Finals. There’s only one player that can stop the Spurs from winning a fifth NBA championship. If James can pull it off it will be his greatest achievement yet. A series win would give him a three-peat and a legacy that will be solidified among the greatest ever. No one will be able to question who the King of the NBA is. He’ll have defeated the greatest organization in the NBA over the past 15 years in back-to-back Finals. If he loses, he will be 2-3 in Finals appearances. He will be apart of an aging roster with an option to become a free agent. James’ legacy will be affected greatly regardless of the outcome of this series.

People ask a lot of you King James, but it’s time for your game to reach even greater heights.

NBA Finals Game 7 Prediction

LeBron calls out teammates, should he look in the mirror?

LeBron James talked to the media on Saturday and it became clear he was frustrated with his team. Waiting three days to play game two can have that effect. 

"You think about it a lot and it eats away at you," James told Gregg Doyel of CBSSports.com on Saturday. "But at the same time it allows you to really pinpoint ways you can get better."

As the Miami Heat players walked out for practice they were shooting long jump shots and James was the first to tell them it was time to shoot free throws.

Then, after the team began to shoot free throws, James noticed they weren’t focused. Within seconds Doyel said Lebron yelled at the team: "Hey, c'mon man." Stop f---ing around."  

LeBron James needs to be in attack mode if the Miami
Heat are going to defeat the San Antonio Spurs.

This is the NBA Finals and the Heat are James’ team. He will take the criticism if they lose and the glory if they win.

He was the first to call out his teammates. He’s told the media that Chris Bosh needs to play in the paint and not outside.

"Wherever [Bosh] demands the ball in the post, we'll give it to him," LeBron said after game one. "We need that paint attack from him."

Oh and what about Dwyane Wade? He was supposed to be the Robin to James’ Batman? James knows he needs more from Wade.

"Even if sometimes you're not in the rhythm, I need to see your face that you're in tune and you're ready for the next possession and ready to move on from whatever is going on,” James said referring to Wade.

James knows he needs his team to step up. After posting a triple-double in game one where James tallied 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists, does he need to do more?

James is the best player in the world. It isn’t a secret. This is when the best player takes over. It’s the NBA Finals and if the Heat are going to beat the Spurs, his teammates will have to play better. However, James is going to have to take his game to another level.

In game two, James will have to guard Tony Parker early and often. Parker did hit the game winner with James on him in game one, but it took one of the most clutch plays we’ve ever seen in the NBA Finals for Parker to do so. James will slow Parker down.

In game one there were times when James passed the ball instead of shot. That needs to change. James taking a 10-foot jump shot is better than Bosh throwing up a 25-foot three pointer.

James needs to raise his game, which may sound like a crazy statement. After all, he did have a triple double. But, it’s not, because he is the greatest player on the court. His presence needs to be felt on both ends of the court.

James needs to attack the rim. There isn’t a single player that can guard him on the Spurs if he is attacking the basket. He needs to be aggressive and run. If he has the ball in the open floor and there are three Spurs back on defense, most players should bring the ball out and set up the offense. Not James. He should attack the rim and make a play for his team.

After four MVP’s one may assume James has reached the height of his powers, but he has more in the tank. He can dig-deeper and become even better. These are the moments he needs to shine brightest.

The King must be in attack mode in a must-win game two tonight in Miami. He clearly wants his team to be focused. But, LeBron, it is your team and it’s time for you to lead them to the Promised Land.

Maybe you should look in the mirror, before you tell your team to: “Stop f---ing around."

NBA Finals Prediction: It's The King's Court

Will the San Antonio Spurs win their fifth NBA
Championship or will the Miami Heat repeat?

LeBron James said he believed the Miami Heat would win multiple championships after he joined the team in the summer of 2010. Now, the only thing standing in his way is one of the most dominating teams in the past decade.

The San Antonio Spurs are the definition of success. They have won four World Championships since 1999 and defeated James’ Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the 2007 NBA Finals. Since then, James has won four Most Valuable Player Awards and has ascended to the top of the NBA.

Can The King lead his Heat to victory against a Spurs team that has never lost in the finals? Will Spurs point guard Tony Parker continue playing at the level he has played at during these playoffs? The answer to both of these questions is yes.

Parker will play great against the Heat and will lead his team to multiple victories in this series. He will help Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili get open looks around the basket. After the Spurs swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals, my mind was made up. They were going to win the championship. But, as I write this less than 90 minutes before tip-off I have changed my mind.

James is The King for a reason and he isn’t going to lose his spot at the top of the basketball world right now. Not at the age of 28 and in his prime.

 The Heat are just too good. Everyone talks about the depth of the Spurs. How about the depth of the Heat? They have a Hall-of-Famer coming off the bench in Ray Allen who is deadly from behind the arc. James will have help in this series. The help people were clamoring for in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Chris Bosh will play better. He was outmatched physically against the Indiana Pacers. There isn’t a player on the Spurs who can do what David West physically in the Eastern Conference Finals. Bosh will be more comfortable and become a big-time contributor in this series.

LeBron James will lead the Miami Heat to back-to-back championships in
a grueling seven game series versus the San Antonio Spurs.

Dwyane Wade has struggled in these playoffs. But, when it’s time to win he always seems to deliver in the clutch. The 2006 NBA Finals MVP knows how to win and wants to win as bad as anyone. Even though he is battling injuries, he will still outplay his counterpart Ginobili.

The Spurs have a real advantage at point guard with Parker. But, after that they don’t have any tremendous advantages. Is Duncan better than Bosh? Sure. Will he dominate Bosh in this series? The answer is no.

 Both teams have three stars and have surrounded them with great role players. But, 

who is the best player on the court? That is the one question that needs to be asked in a series like this. The answer is James. The Heat have the best player in the world and the Spurs don’t.

This will be a great series that we will talk about for many years, but The King will return to his throne in seven games, after the Heat defeat the Spurs and repeat as NBA Champions.

Prediction: The Miami Heat will defeat the San Antonio Spurs 4-3.

Game 1: Miami Heat: 102 San Antonio Spurs: 99

Game 2: San Antonio Spurs: 97 Miami Heat: 91

Game 3: San Antonio Spurs: 110 Miami Heat: 93  

Game 4: Miami Heat: 110 San Antonio Spurs: 103

Game 5: Miami Heat: 110  San Antonio Spurs: 93

Game 6: San Antonio Spurs: 92 Miami Heat: 83

Game 7: Miami Heat: 96 San Antonio Spurs: 89

Parker must lead Spurs against LeBron's Heat

The buzzer sounded and the San Antonio Spurs were NBA Champions for the third time in five seasons. They swept LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tony Parker thought this was just the beginning. He had just been named NBA Finals MVP at 25 years old.

Can Tony Parker lead Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and the
San Antonio Spurs to another championship?

Parker was going to be the next superstar of the league. He had three world championships and was on a team that was built to win more. But, the victories never came.

In 2012, they had their best chance, but lost four-straight games to the Oklahoma City Thunder after taking a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. Parker promised teammate Tim Duncan that they would reach the finals once again.

"I'll get you back to the NBA Finals," the point man told Duncan (via Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports). "We aren't done. You aren't done."

Parker has delivered on his promise, averaging a team-high 23 points, 7.2 assists and shooting nearly 48 percent in the playoffs.

Now he finds himself against a familiar foe. Parker’s Spurs are set to face James again. A lot has changed since they last met. Since then, James joined the Miami Heat and is considered to be the best player in the NBA. The Spurs have stayed consistent. They are still led by the trio of Parker, Duncan and Manu Ginobili. They continue to fly under-the-radar and once again find themselves on the biggest stage, just four wins from another championship.

This is a challenge the Spurs embrace. They are the old heavyweight boxer that wants to win the belt one more time.

"Every team wants to beat you," Parker said (via J.A. Adande of ESPN.com). "And that's why it makes it even more special to go back after all those years playing at a high level with the same coach, with the same Big Three."

They are facing the young guns that came together for one reason: to win championships.

If there is one team that can beat the Heat, it’s the Spurs. They have a mastermind in Gregg Popovich, a hall-of-fame power forward who has found the fountain of youth in Duncan and Ginobili is as crafty as they come. But, the 2013 Spurs begin and end with Parker. He is their leader and the oil that keeps San Antonio’s engine running.

"He (Parker) was the best player in the Western Conference playoffs each game and we're well aware of that," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "Every time he stepped on the court, he was the best player, the most impactful player, and he was driving their success. They have obviously Hall of Famers and a well-oiled system, but he creates so much offense for them. What you have to respect more than anything is his engine and he's tireless to work for those opportunities."

Tony Parker has beat Lebron James in the NBA Finals
before. He will need to play well if the
Spurs are going to do it again. 

If Parker has a great NBA Finals so will the Spurs. If he is average, it will be tough to win their fifth NBA Championship. In fact, it won’t happen. The pressure of earning his fourth ring has set in. This could be Parker’s last opportunity to win with the Spurs.  

The most underrated player in the league has to be great if he is going to take down the king on his own court. Parker realizes how much effort he puts into the game for the Spurs to be successful.

"I took it as a challenge to improve my game and get better every year," Parker told NBA.com. I got a great example in Timmy (Duncan), who has been unbelievable all those years. I want to try and do the same thing. I want to try to improve my game, as the responsibility and the ball came in my hands. I try to do more and try to deliver."

This is when the stars come out

It's time for Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh
to step up for the Heat.

The final buzzer sounded. The crowd was cheering and Roy Hibbert was ready to do his best Bart Scott impression during the postgame interview. The Indiana Pacers just defeated the Miami Heat 99-92 to even the series 2-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Pacers outmuscled and outplayed the Heat. They won the rebounding battle 49-30 and shot 50 percent from the field. They were more physical and held the Heat to just 39 percent shooting.

With the series tied and the teams headed to Miami for game five, it is now time for the stars to come out. Does that mean Lebron James has a vintage 40-point game or posts a triple double? Maybe. But, ultimately game 5 will come down to Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.

The winner of Thursday’s game will be guaranteed a chance to win the series on their home court.  It will be about the stars. Who will step up? Can Wade shake off his knee injury that has plagued him throughout the playoffs? He has only reached the 20-point plateau once in the playoffs when he scored 21 points way back in game two of the first round. Wade scored 16 points in game 4, but wasn’t his normal self, shooting just 5-15 from the floor.

Bosh was also ineffective shooting just 1-6 from the field and finishing with 7 points. Bosh has battled down low with Pacers center Roy Hibbert all series, but only grabbed three rebounds in game 4. When Ray Allen leads your team in rebounding (7), you aren’t going to win many playoff games.

Lebron James has been consistent in the series,
but he needs help from Wade and Bosh.

When the Heat are focused they are virtually unbeatable, but aside from game two versus the Chicago Bulls and game three against the Pacers, they have looked very ordinary so far in these playoffs.

It is now time for the mighty Heat to show why they’re the defending NBA Champions. They need to win game five and take the momentum back. If they lose game five they would be forced to win game 6 on the road. The Pacers have posted a 7-1 record at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in the playoffs.

Now the Heat are headed home and face the pressure to perform well. After all this is the team that was going to win “not one, not two, not three…” and now they find themselves in a must-win situation.

Wade is averaging a career worst 14.3 points per game in the playoffs. The Heat need him to play well tonight if they’re going to win. Can he regain his old pre-injury form and lead this team to the Finals? Probably not, but they need more out of him if they’re going to win another NBA Championship. Wade is a superstar and the playoffs are when the stars come out. It’s his time to shine.

After posting a dud in game four, the pressure is on the Heat and their stars to perform. Can they do it? Who will step up?

The stage is set and the world will be watching. The action starts at 8:30 ET on TNT.