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Before we begin, a little word history.

"Pulling all the stops out" is a phrase you've probably heard if you're a native English speaker. If you are a native English speaker, you probably know that to "pull all the stops out" means something like "to hold back nothing." The phrase, according to Wiktionary, is "an allusion to organ stops, which control the loudness and tones of a pipe organ. When all are pulled out, the organ can play all tones simultaneously."

"Carson," maybe you're asking, "why in the heck do I even care about that?" To which I reply: "Because this -- i.e. pulling out the stops -- is exactly what you better be doing right now with your Drive to the Finals picks."

In the spirit of pulling out said stops, here are the eleven players you better have picked by the time these Finals are over.

1. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
2009-2010 Averages: 27.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.0 APG (37.4 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 29.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 6.2 APG (40.4 PRA)
Notes: He's hard to like if you're not a Laker fan, but his competitiveness is hard to criticize. So are his 30-point games.

2. Pau Gasol, Lakers
2009-2010 Averages: 18.3 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.4 APG (32.9 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 20.4 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 3.4 APG (34.7 PRA)
Notes: Gasol is an educated man, and it's not hard to tell from the way he plays the game. Combined with his natural athleticism, he's a great force.

3. Rajon Rondo, Celtics
2009-2010 Averages: 13.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 9.8 APG (28.0 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 16.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 9.9 APG (32.2 PRA)
Notes: Rondo is capable of posting good PRAs even in lackluster performances because of his ability to contribute across all three relevant categories.

4. Paul Pierce, Celtics
2009-2010 Averages: 18.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.1 APG (25.7 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 18.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.6 APG (28.8 PRA)
Notes: In addition to his shooting prowess, is one of the best at getting to the line, which makes him a guarantee for points game to game.

5. Kevin Garnett, Celtics
2009-2010 Averages: 14.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.7 APG (24.4 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 13.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.3 APG (23.3 PRA)
Notes: Relative emphasis on rebounding makes him safe-ish, if uninspiring, pick.

6. Ray Allen, Celtics
2009-2010 Averages: 16.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.6 APG (22.1 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 17.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.8 APG (23.5 PRA)
Notes: Yes, he's averaging a higher PRA than Garnett, but, due to reliance on three-point shot, is a riskier pick. For every Game Two performance (37 PRA), there's also the potential for a Game One-type line (12 PRA).

7. Andrew Bynum, Lakers
2009-2010 Averages: 15.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.0 APG (24.5 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 9.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 0.7 APG (18.0 PRA)
Notes: Knee problems drag down his playoff average, and might still affect his playoff performance. When healthy, though, he's probably be fifth on this list.

8. Lamar Odom, Lakers
2009-2010 Averages: 10.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.3 APG (23.8 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 9.8 RPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.2 APG (20.9 PRA)
Notes: Watching Odom, even to this day, it's difficult to understand why he's not the best player in the NBA. He can dribble, rebound, shoot -- and he's close to seven feet tall!

9. Ron Artest, Lakers
2009-2010 Averages: 11.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.0 APG (18.3 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 11.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.3 APG (17.5 PRA)
Notes: Were I a Laker fan, I'd probably get anxious any time Ron-Ron decided to participate in the offense. Still, he's dogged. (Whatever "dogged" means.)

10. Derek Fisher, Lakers
2009-2010 Averages: 7.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.5 APG (12.0 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 10.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.2 APG (16.4 PRA)
Notes: Basically unwatchable for anyone who's not a Laker fan. Still, so long as he's hanging out behind the three-point line for the occasional kick-out, he has value.

11. Kendrick Perkins, Celtics
2009-2010 Averages: 10.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.0 APG (18.8 PRA)
2010 Playoffs: 6.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.1 APG (13.3 PRA)
Notes: Scoring has decreased by 40 percent in playoffs, nor is it likely to improve with Gasol and Bynum roaming the middle for L.A.


Now here are your So-Called Expert's picks for the three games this week.

Date: Tuesday, June 07, 2010
Player: Ron Artest - LAL
Opposition: at Boston
2009-2010 Averages: 11.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.3 APG (17.5 PRA)
General Thoughts: Here's why I'm picking Artest even though I have Lamar Odom still available: because Andrew Bynum appears healthy for the time being. How does that math work?, maybe you're wondering. Well, look: if Bynum's healthy, he plays a whole bunch of minutes and plays real well. Game Two's 21-point, 6-rebound performance suggests as much. But Bynum also played 39 minutes in that game, the most time he's spent on the court in one game since January 12th at San Antonio. It's not a guarantee by any means, but there's the possibility that he feels the residual effects after tonight's game and Thursday is more difficult for him, opening up the door to Odom.

Date: Thursday, June 09, 2010
Player: Lamar Odom - LAL
Opposition: at Boston
2009-2010 Averages: 10.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.3 APG (23.8 PRA)
General Thoughts: As I mentioned in re my Tuesday pick, part of the justification for playing Artest on Tuesday -- despite having Odom still available is that Andrew Bynum, who's been playing with knee difficulties, might begin feeling the effects of a 39-minute performance Sunday in Game Two. Speculative? Yes, entirely. But that's what happens when you're down to the figurative dregs of the Drive barrel, man.

Date: Sunday, June 13, 2010
Player: Derek Fisher - LAL
Opposition: vs Boston
2009-2010 Averages: 7.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.5 APG (12.0 PRA)
General Thoughts: The attentive Driver might notice that Fisher represents my fifth consecutive Laker. Why? Well, because I burned basically every last Celtic in the previous two rounds. Seriously, between Cleveland and Orlando, I just didn't see it. And now they're still around, here, in Game Five of the Finals. As I'm writing this from the previous Sunday, I have no idea what your futuristic world looks like. Who's up in the series? Who's been the hero? the goat? Are there flying cars yet?

The views expressed by RotoWire.com represent only the views of  the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA  team.

Hail, Drivers!

We meet again -- perhaps a little disheveled, a little tired, but with the satisfaction of a job almost done.
 
Below, please find a a brief analysis of the last series you'll ever see in this year's iteration of the NBA playoffs -- complete with the implications for the Driver.

Beside each team, in parentheses, you'll find two numbers. The first is the team's seed. The second is the team's SRS number (short for Simple Rating System). Developed by Doug Drinen, SRS is an attempt to look at a team's underlying points-scored and -allowed numbers, adjusted for strength of schedule (SOS). Each team's rating is their average point margin, adjusted up or down depending on the average point margins of their opponents. So, an exactly average team with an exactly average SOS would have an SRS of 0.


NBA Finals!

Teams: LA Lakers (1/4.78) v Boston (4/3.37)
Series: Tied, 0-0
Next Game: Thursday, June 03, 2010
Thoughts: As I mentioned in my most recent dispatch, the Lakers' success throughout the playoffs isn't particularly surprising. They entered as the first seed in the Western Conference, and, even though their nerd numbers (e.g. SRS) weren't all the way at the top of charts, that was very probably because of the absences of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum, respectively, during the regular season. The talent is there. As for the Celtics -- they're situation is harder to explain. Experience is one thing they absolutely do have. That said, if you were to populate a team with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and David Robinson -- well, that team would have experience, too. Only problem is, all those dudes are like 50. No, the Celtics aren't full of 50-year-olds, but they certainly do rely quite a bit on an aged core. That core has brought the team this far, though, and only four games separate the green-and-white from Banner 18.
Picks: There's no need to hold back anymore. You got Kobe left? Play him. You got Rajon Rondo? Play him twice*. One thing, as I note below: if you have Andrew Bynum remaining, and you think you'll have to play him at some point, it wouldn't hurt to do so sooner than later. With his knee the way it is, it's hard to say if he'll be effective -- or even playing -- at the end of this series.

*Actually, nevermind: you can't do that.


Below are your So-Called Expert's picks for the remainder of this short week.

Date: Thursday, June 03, 2010
Player: Andrew Bynum - LAL
Opposition: vs Boston
2009-2010 Averages: 15.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.0 APG (24.5 PRA)
General Thoughts: Let's get this straight: I absolutely don't think that Andrew Bynum is the best player on the Lakers. He's not even the best Laker currently available to your So-Called Expert. So why pick him? Well, here's the deal: Bynum was mostly not healthy versus Phoenix. Yeah, he played, but he didn't play much. Bynum is a good player, though, and likely a productive pick if he's getting minutes. Entering tonight with four days off between games, Bynum will very likely be at his freshest. It's hard to say how fresh that'll be exactly, as the fluid Bynum has drained from his knee on Monday has since returned. But if the Driver thinks that Andrew Bynum is better than Derek Fisher, then the former needs to be picked at some point. Tonight is the night to do just that.

Date: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Player: Pau Gasol - LAL
Opposition: vs Boston
2009-2010 Averages: 18.3 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.4 APG (32.9 PRA)
General Thoughts: It seems like just yesterday that I was privately -- and sometimes not-so-privately -- ridiculing Gasol for bearing a distinct physical resemblance to a slightly thinner and less hairy sasquatch. On second thought, that was yesterday. In any case, the thing these playoffs have allowed me to realize is just how talented, athletic, and smart Gasol is. Particularly revealing has been the contrast in the ways that Gasol, and LaMarcus Aldridge before him, dealt with the defensively challenged Amar'e Stoudemire. For Aldridge, who has exactly two offensive moves, Stoudemire somehow proved too much. For Gasol, not so much. Obviously, the combo deal known as Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett will prove more of a challenge. But it's not like there's another series after this one.

The views expressed by RotoWire.com represent only the views of  the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA  team.

Below, what you'll find is a recap of each of the two remaining playoff series, and the implications of each given their (i.e. the series) likely respective outcomes.

Beside each team, in parentheses, you'll find two numbers. The first is the team's seed. The second is the team's SRS number (short for Simple Rating System). Developed by Doug Drinen, SRS is an attempt to look at a team's underlying points-scored and -allowed numbers, adjusted for strength of schedule (SOS). Every team's rating is their average point margin, adjusted up or down depending on the average point margins of their opponents. So, an exactly average team with an exactly average SOS would have an SRS of 0.

East

Teams: Orlando (2/7.12) v Boston (4/3.37)

Series: Boston, 3-0

Next Game: Monday, May 24, at Boston

Thoughts: In last week's dispatch I began my analysis of this series with the following line: "Just going by the numbers, this series shouldn't be much of a contest." In fact, that statement is totally accurate: it hasn't been a contest. The only problem? The wrong team is up 3-0. Actually, sure, it's probably unfair to say that the series hasn't been close at points. In fact, Orlando lost the first two games by only a total of 7 points. But when you consider that Boston now has a significant series lead, that they won the most recent game by 23 points, and that they have at least two more game on their home floor -- well, it's just not looking good for Orlando. The regular season nerd numbers -- adjusted for home/away -- still give Orlando about a 14% chance of pulling out the series. Anecdotally, however, that seems way too high.

West

Teams: LA Lakers (1/4.78) v Phoenix (3/4.68)

Series: LA Lakers, 2-1

Next Game: Tuesday, May 25, at Phoenix

Thoughts: While the Boston-Orlando series is upsetting the applecart that is this So-Called Expert's Drive to the Final strategy, the Los Angeles Lakers are doing their part to install some sanity back in the process. In my original analysis of this series, I suggested that (a) the teams were pretty closely matched in terms of regulard season numbers, but that (b) those numbers didn't account for L.A.'s regular season injury problems or their playoff experience. Watching the Lakers -- both against Utah, and also in their first two games versus Phoenix -- the overall impression with which I'm left is just how big they are. Bynum, Gasol, and Odom are all big guys athletic enough to defend smaller players. And Ron Artest -- well, he's still a menace defensively. It's just a real impressive team. The concern for the moment, of course, is the health of Andrew Bynum's knee. The Laker center was held to just 7 minutes in L.A.'s Game Three loss. 

Below are your So-Called Expert's picks for Monday through Tuesday. Really, it's impossible to say what'll happen after those two days. Such is playoff basketball.

Date: Monday, May 24, 2010

Player: Rashard Lewis - ORL

Opposition: at Boston

2009-2010 Averages: 14.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.5 APG (20.0 PRA)

General Thoughts: Superficially, this Rashard Lewis pick seems pretty sweet. Lewis is averaging more minutes in the playoffs (36.4) than he did in the regular season (32.9), and his PRA has followed suit, standing now at 21.2 per game after coming in at exactly 20 per game during the regular season. So, that's the good news. The bad? In his last three games, Lewis has posted PRAs of 15, 13, and 8, respectively, with that last mark coming in Orlando's 24-point home loss in Game Three. So, yeah, picking Lewis is kind of a necessity now, but it doesn't feel real great.

Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Player: Robin Lopez - PHO

Opposition: vs LA Lakers

2009-2010 Averages: 8.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 0.1 APG (13.5 PRA)

General Thoughts: Tonight's pick is informed by a couple of considerations. For one, there's the fact that Phoenix is down 1-2 in this series. Barring the unexpected, the Lakers will very probably take the series. So, that's the first thing. The second thing is Andrew Bynum -- and, specifically, Andrew Bynum's availability. The Driver might recall that, owing to said balky knee, the Laker center was limited to a grand total of 7 minutes in Sunday's Game Three. Should Bynum continue to be troubled by the knee, L.A. will have to go to a slightly smaller lineup -- which situation could help Lopez. Already picked Lopez? Well, Bynum's injury increases Pau Gasol's and Lamar Odom's respective values, too.

Below, what you'll find is a recap of each of the two remaining playoff series, and the implications of each given their (i.e. the series) likely respective outcomes.

Beside each team, in parentheses, you'll find two numbers. The first is the team's seed. The second is the team's SRS number (short for Simple Rating System). Developed by Doug Drinen, SRS is an attempt to look at a team's underlying points-scored and -allowed numbers, adjusted for strength of schedule (SOS). Every team's rating is their average point margin, adjusted up or down depending on the average point margins of their opponents. So, an exactly average team with an exactly average SOS would have an SRS of 0.

East

Teams: Orlando (2/7.12) v Boston (4/3.37)
Series: Boston, 1-0
Next Game: Tuesday, May 18, at Orlando
Thoughts: Just going by the numbers, this series shouldn't be much of a contest. Orlando not only had a superior SRS to Boston in the regular season -- they actually had the best one in the entire NBA. Of course, Cleveland had the second-highest mark, and that very clearly didn't bother the Celtics too much. So what gives? Well, first of all, a best-of-seven series, such as we're dealing with here, is still prone to all kinds of variation. The best team doesn't always win. Second of all, there's the distinct possibility that Boston -- and especially a Boston team with Kevin Garnett -- possesses that elusive quality known as "experience."


West

Teams: LA Lakers (1/4.78) v Phoenix (3/4.68)
Series: Begins Monday, May 17
Next Game: Monday, May 17, at LA Lakers
Thoughts: The numbers say this series should be pretty close -- maybe like a 52% chance for the Lakers or so. But, as I've mentioned earlier in this space, what the SRS for the Lakers doesn't show is how Kobe and Gasol and Bynum -- aka the team's best three players -- all missed time this year. Another thing it doesn't show is how, like Boston, the LA Lakers might very well possess that "something special." And even if Kobe Bryant is less physically talented than he has been in his past playoff experiences, he's still a shockingly intense competitor, something which oughtn't be discounted. Meanwhile, the Suns, for their part, have gone some way towards answering their critics. They showed some pretty serious competence in dispatching of the Jazz in four straight games. Whether they're talented enought to topple the Lakers -- well, that's different.


Below are your So-Called Expert's picks for Monday through Wednesday. Why only those days? Because there are no games on either Thursday or Friday, and to make a pick for Saturday hurts this So-Called Expert's mind grapes.

Date: Monday, May 17, 2010
Player: Steve Nash - PHO
Opposition: at LA Lakers
2009-2010 Averages: 16.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 11.0 APG (30.8 PRA)
General Thoughts: I'm not sure that I hate Derek Fisher. That (i.e. hate) seems like an emotion that one should reserve for other situations. That said, I certainly find certain qualities to Fisher's game detestable. Chief among them? The frequency with which he -- despite having probably one of the more impressive physiques among NBA point guards -- with which he seeks to draw the charge. I recognize that it helps his team win games, and, were I a Laker fan, I'd probably appreciate Fisher's ability to contribute to wins in whichever way possible. (I'd also probably like that he's not Sasha Vujacic.) In any case, what I'll enjoy in this series is watching Steve Nash work his magic all over Fisher -- starting with tonight, hopefully.

Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Player: Jameer Nelson - ORL
Opposition: vs Boston
2009-2010 Averages: 12.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.4 APG (21.0 PRA)
General Thoughts: In the regular season, Orlando wasn't really a super-balanced team from a PRA (points + rebounds + assists) perspective. After Dwight Howard's 33.3 mark, no other Magician scored above 24, as Vince Carter (23.8), Jameer Nelson (21.0), and Rashard Lewis (20.0) we barely even rosterable in NBA.com's Pick One Challenge. In the playoffs, that seems to've changed a bit. Howard is averaging only 28.3 PRA, while Nelson is recording 28.7 and Carter, 24.4. From a strategic POV, this pick is even more acceptable than Sunday's Dwight Howard selection: Orlando is one game closer to being eliminate than they were then.

Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Player: Jason Richardson - PHO
Opposition: at LA Lakers
2009-2010 Averages: 15.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.8 APG (22.6 PRA)
General Thoughts: I make this pick for two reasons. For one, I'm assuming that Los Angeles has come away victorious from Game One of the conference final, thus meaning I should be making an effort. For two, I've already selected Nash and Amar'e. Richardson's an interesting player: after only averaging 22.6 PRA during the regular season, he's had a super productive playoffs, averaging 29.2 PRA, predominantly on the strength of his 21.9 points per game. Can we expect the same sort of scoring from Richardson's during the conference finals? Hmm, probably not. If everything works out as it should, Richardson might very well find Ron Artest guarding him. That's not so good. In any case, he's a Must Pick for Driver, and this is as good a time to do it as any.

Below, what you'll find is a recap of each of the remaining playoff series, and the implications of each given their (i.e. the series) likely respective outcomes.

Beside each team, in parentheses, you'll find two numbers. The first is the team's seed. The second is the team's SRS number (short for Simple Rating System). Developed by Doug Drinen, SRS is an attempt to look at a team's underlying points-scored and -allowed numbers, adjusted for strength of schedule (SOS). Every team's rating is their average point margin, adjusted up or down depending on the average point margins of their opponents. So, an exactly average team with an exactly average SOS would have an SRS of 0.

East

Teams: Cleveland (1/6.17) v (4/3.37)
Series: Tied 2-2
Next Game: Tuesday, May 11, at the Cleve
Thoughts: Boston has certainly made this thing interesting -- certainly more than this So-Called Expert could've expected. But hear me now and believe me whenever you want: Cleveland is still very much the favorite to win this bidness. Some rough -- and very nerdy -- calculations put the Cavs' chances at just above 70% to get to four wins before the Celtics. The moral of this story? Pick Rajon Rondo et al if you haven't already.

Teams: Orlando (2/7.12) v Atlanta (3/4.44)
Series: Orlando, 3-0
Next Game: Monday, May 10, at Atlanta
Thoughts: The Atlanta Hawks have now lost three games to Orlando by a combined total of 77 points. That's about 25 points per game. By comparison, the two worst teams in the NBA, New Jersey and Minnesota, each had point differentials of about 9 pts/g. No, the Hawks aren't this bad, but they're also extraordinaly unlikely to win this series. Their chances now stand at about 5%. Pick Joe Johnson and Al Horford and/or Josh Smith if you haven't yet. Now!


West

Teams: LA Lakers (1/4.78) v Utah (5/5.33)
Series: LA, 3-0
Next Game: Monday, May 10, at Utah
Thoughts: You'll notice that the SRS numbers suggest that Utah was the better regular-season team of these two. Of course, that says nothing of Mehmet Okur's absence, nor of all the games that the Lakers' better players missed during the regular season. In any case, Utah's chances are basically nil right now for winning this series. All the Driver can hope is that Utah sends the series back to Los Angeles.

Teams: Phoenix (3/4.68) v San Antonio (7/5.07)
Series: Phoenix Wins, 4-0
Next Game: N/A
Thoughts: What the what? As I've discussed previously in this same space, the Spurs were never as bad as they're seventh seed suggested (say that five times fast). That said, the Phoenix Suns looked every bit a candidate for Western Conference supremacy with the way they dispatched their Texan rivals. They won't have home court advantage over the Lakers, and that might make all the difference. Either way, they seem poised to give yellow and purple at least a competent fight.

This week, you get four picks; however, the Wednesday tilt between Utah and Los Angeles won't happen in the event that the latter wins in Utah on Monday night. In that case, I very much reserve the right to change my pick.

Date: Monday, May 10, 2010
Player: Deron Williams - UTA
Opposition: vs LA Lakers
2009-2010 Averages: 18.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 10.5 APG (33.2 PRA)
General Thoughts: With both Atlanta and Utah down 3-0, there are a couple questions the Driver needs to ask himself. Question one: do you have similarly talented players available on each team? If so, it probably makes sense to pick a Hawk. They only have about an even chance of winning tonight, even on their home court, while Utah's chances of extending the series are probably closer to 60%. It's not a huge difference, but it's something. Here's a second question: do you still have both Deron Williams and Paul Millsap among your available players, because you were onehundredpercent sure that the Lakers couldn't take the first three game of the series in succession? Okay, that one's a little more specific to my own predicament, but it's the reason why I'm going with Williams today and hoping Utah survives one more day.

Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Player: Kevin Garnett - BOS
Opposition: at Cleveland
2009-2010 Averages: 14.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.7 APG (24.4 PRA)
General Thoughts: You know who's really good at basketball, it turns out? Rajon Rondo. I don't have his line from Sunday right here in front of me, but I think he scored like 70 points or something and had like 37 assists. Again, those are just rough estimates. Anyway, if you haven't picked Rondo yet, do it right this second. I have already. And his teammate Paul Pierce, too (for a game in which he scored more than just 13 PRA). So now it's down to Ray Allen and Garnett. Garnett gets the nod. He has slightly better regular- and post-season numbers. But I'mma make sure to pick Ray-Ray before this thing's over.

Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Player: Paul Millsap - UTA
Opposition: at LA Lakers
2009-2010 Averages: 11.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.6 APG (20.1 PRA)
General Thoughts: I make this pick with the supposition that (a) Utah has won its Monday contest at home versus the Lakers, and (b) the Hawks have not won their Monday contest, also at home, versus Orlando. Actually, as I only really have Jamal Crawford still available, perhaps only (a) is the real consideration. In any case, I really hope Utah won. Otherwise, man, this isn't going well.

Date: Thursday, May 13, 2010
Player: Ray Allen - BOS
Opposition: vs Cleveland
2009-2010 Averages: 16.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.6 APG (22.1 PRA)
General Thoughts: It might be irrational, but I always prefer to take a shooter on his home floor, if at all possible. The home court, it stands to reason, is where an NBA-er feels more comfortable and confident. All things being equal, a comfortable and confident shooter is better than the alternative. Here's to hoping Allen throws down some of his trademark three-bombs.

The views expressed by RotoWire.com represent only the views of  the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA  team.