The Celtics have been exposed and should be wary of LeBron James.

Sure they won a critical Game 7 by 34 points, but that doesn't mean the Celtics are in great shape. The Hawks exposed Boston's major deficiencies in the series. Boston's relative playoff inexperience was evident in multiple late-game situations. Atlanta also made the "Big Three" look selfish for the first time all season. Most importantly, though, was the ease in which Joe Johnson seemed to carve up the Boston defense.

Now consider this: Johnson is a great talent, but James is even greater. LeBron averaged 35.5 points and 12.5 assists in the two wins (compared to just one loss) he had against the Celtics during the regular season.

The Jazz can't allow Kobe Bryant to both score and distribute.

In falling behind 1-0 to the Lakers, Utah's defense allowed Bryant to score 38 points. But certainly even more disheartening to Jerry Sloan is the fact that four of Kobe's teammates also scored in double-figures. As has been well-publicized, the Jazz have no real answer for Kobe's scoring, but they could still conceivably win if they hold the other Lakers in check. They didn't do either in Game 1.

Will this be Dwight Howard's coming out party?

Howard has been brilliant this season and his first round feat of three 20-20 games was a remarkable achievement. However, after dropping Game 1 to the Pistons by 19 points, the Magic's playoff run might end shortly. After all, Detroit seems to have awoken from the slumber they were stuck in during their surprisingly difficult first round match-up with the Sixers.

Howard is already in his fourth season in the league and has just one playoff series win to show for it. If he wants to be assured a place among the game's elite, Howard must carry his team at least one round deeper in the playoffs, a journey they haven't taken since Shaquille O'Neal was in Orlando.

Chris Paul's consistency is extraordinary, yet he continues to improve.

Paul averaged 20.5 points and 10.9 assists per game during the first half of this season. He posted 21.9 points and 12.6 assists after the All-Star break. And, in six playoff games thus far, he is averaging an absurd 23.3 points and 12.2 assists. He's also only turned the ball over eight times total.

The only possible weakness in his game is his three-point shooting. Paul is just 3-12 (25%) in the playoffs.

Still, he doesn't even turn 23 until Tuesday, so it is frightening to think what he's capable of when he gets even better.