Eric Gay / AP

Josh Howard (top) gives the Mavericks an active and versatile style of play that is a key to Dallas' success, writes Steve Jones of MSNBC.com.

Chris Bosh
Raptors
This is the first time in the playoffs for Toronto, and it will provide an opportunity to find out more about Bosh, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound rising star out of Georgia Tech.

Selected by the Raptors with the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, Bosh has been the franchise player in Toronto for the past couple of seasons. Now he must step up and show he can lead his team in the playoffs.

Toronto is a team unusual in its makeup, and Bosh is unusual in the way he plays. He is somewhat like Kevin Garnett of the Timberwolves, but maybe he's a bit more dangerous than Garnett in that he attacks the basket more often. He is a little better than Garnett at going into the post and scoring from inside.

Bosh is left-handed and since there aren't many lefties in the NBA as good as him opponents have a tough time guarding him in part because they don't go against high-caliber southpaws that often. They have trouble dealing with a guy who often is coming from the opposite direction than the one they are used to encountering.

Most lefties can't go to their right, but Bosh can -- at least a bit -- and he can also use his right hand on some shots, which is unusual for lefties. It just makes him all the more difficult to defend.

Tayshaun Prince  
Pistons
If Detroit is to win the NBA title, Prince has to be the difference-maker. He is easily the Pistons' most versatile player at both ends of the court.

The 6-foot-9, 215-pounder out of Kentucky has the ability to pass, rebound, and score. He makes big shots, but offense is not his only strength. The fifth-year pro makes some sensational saves defensively.

Prince is a quiet player and a lot of times what he's doing out on the court goes unnoticed by many, but not by his teammates or his coach Flip Saunders. There are times Prince looks like he is not involved in what's going on, but that's misleading as he gets the job done. And in big moments he can be counted on for big plays.

Prince plays with some very talented and experienced players in Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups, and Richard Hamilton so he needs to make sure he is as active and involved as he can be. Prince has a tendency to defer to Billups and Hamilton, but when he comes out with an aggressive attitude at the offensive end it seems to also help him at the defensive end.

There are games when Prince will have only a point or two at halftime, and in those games Detroit has a tougher time putting away its opponent. When Prince comes out and plays with authority, the Pistons have an easier path towards winning.

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