• Four veterans looking for more glory:

Kobe Bryant: Finals MVP on two straight Lakers championship teams.

Paul Pierce: Former KU standout led Celtics to 2008 title.

LeBron James: Was a star while in Cleveland, now wants to be a champ.

Carmelo Anthony: Will be loved in New York if he can help Knicks upset Celtics.

• Four players who could become household names:

Carlos Boozer: Quietly does the job for Bulls, averaging 17.5 points per game.

LaMarcus Aldridge: Had career highs in points (21.8 per game) and rebounds (8.8) this season for Portland.

Kendrick Perkins: Acquired by Oklahoma City in February to help inside and provide veteran leadership.

Joe Johnson: When he plays well, Atlanta is difficult to beat.

• Four lower-seeded teams worth watching:

Portland: The Blazers are a popular choice to pull off a first-round upset.

Memphis: Showed they can play with the Spurs, winning two of four meetings this season.

Atlanta: Was 3-1 this season against Orlando, its first-round opponent.

New Orleans: Could challenge the Lakers, who lost five in a row earlier this month.

• Four higher-seeded teams worth watching:

Miami: Went 15-3 after starting March with five-game losing streak.

Boston: Veteran group could have one more run in it.

Chicago: Consistent team hasn't lost two in a row since early February.

Oklahoma City: Had three winning streaks of at least five games in last two months.

• Four players who make highlight-reel dunks:

Nate Robinsion: Three-time dunk champion at All-Star game is now with Thunder.

J.R. Smith: Denver swingman made broadcaster Kevin Harlan say, "We just saw a man fly."

Dwight Howard: There is a reason he is known as Orlando's Superman.

Bill Walker: Has earned nickname "Sky" with Knicks.

• Four players who could be TV's next Charles Barkley:

Shaquille O'Neal: Veteran center was the star of his own reality series.

Joakim Noah: Long hair and flamboyant personality could make this Bulls star popular.

LeBron James: Who else could get a TV special to announce where they are going to play, as he did last summer?

Dwight Howard: Magic player is known for his impersonations.

• Four popular looks:

Bald: It worked well for Jordan, and many players today have the look.

No more braids: Even Carmelo Anthony cut his off in favor of shorter hair.

Mohawk haircut: Denver's Chris Anderson gets more attention for his Mohawk than his play.

Beards: They're a tradition for NHL playoff participants, and the Spurs' Tim Duncan has adapted the look well.

- The Kansas City Star