NBA.com editors Darren Misener, Martin Sumners and Jim Reilly will be keeping you updated on all the best news and content from around the 30 team sites in the Conference Call Blog. East, Week 1 | West, Week 1 | East, Week 2 | West, Week 2 | East, Week 3 | West, Week 3 | East, Week 4 | West, Week 4 | East, Week 5 | West, Week 5 | East, Week 6 | West, Week 6 | East, Week 7 | West, Week 7 | East, Week 8 | West, Week 8 | East, Week 9 | West, Week 9 | East, Week 10 | West, Week 10 | East, Week 11 | West, Week 11 | East, Week 12 | West, Week 12 | East, Week 13 | West, Week 13 | East, Week 14 | West, Week 14 | East, Week 15 | West, Week 15 | East, Week 16 | West, Week 16 | East, Week 17 | West, Week 17 | East, Week 18 | West, Week 18 | East, Week 19 | West, Week 19 | East, Week 20 | West, Week 20 | East, Week 21 | West, Week 21 | East, Week 22 | West, Week 22 | East, Week 23 | West, Week 23

Jim Reilly

Big Three, Plus One
MVP candidate and charter member of Boston's newest "Big Three" Kevin Garnett credits the largely under-the-radar growth of second-year man Rajon Rondo with pointing the Celtics in the right direction for their first-round matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. "I think [in the] second half of the season [Rondo] has been a lot more accepting of his role, a lot more of a general and in a sense more of a leader, leading by example," said KG on Celtics.com. "I don't know what it is that clicked, but he has been playing tremendous. We are as good as our point guard and our leader and right now that's the role he has taken."

With 15 points, nine assists, six rebounds and two steals in his first postseason game, Rondo looked like a veteran of NBA playoff action. "I was pretty comfortable. I didn't really get nervous," said Rondo. "I tried to approach it like a regular season [game] but I knew the intensity would be a lot higher."

Even Rondo's backup Sam Cassell, no stranger himself to playoff excellence, was impressed with his young teammate. "He did what we needed him to do," said Cassell. "He led us, he scored when he had to score, he passed when he had to pass and he defended when he had to defend."

Hawks Coach Mike Woodson, understandably concentrating on stopping KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, acknowledged Rondo's ability to make plays after Game One. "As long as Ray and Paul aren't sticking the dagger in you," said Woodson, "you have to deal with Rondo making [his] shots."


Letters, They Get Letters
On Pistons.com, fans vented a bit about Detroit's unexpected Game One loss to the surprising Sixers.


Let's Get Physical
On Cavs.com, Joe Gabriele blogs about LeBron's eagerness to "create contact."

GameDay Blog
On Wizards.com, the GameDay Blog has all the latest on Washington's matchup with LeBron and the Cavs.

Check It Out
On Raptors.com, Chuck Swirsky Checks In with some adjustments Toronto must make in Orlando.

Great Start
On Sixers.com, the postgame report is all good as Philly jolted Detroit in Game One.

Three Things
On Hawks.com, Lang Whitaker points out a trio of crucial issues for Atlanta against the Celtics.

Playoff Predictions
On Bucks.com, several Milwaukee players discuss NBA Playoffs 2008.

Charlotte, Too
On Bobcats.com, Play-by-Play Announcer Steve Martin and writers Matt Rochinski and Malinda Murray make their first-round predictions.

What Next?
On Pacers.com, Conrad Brunner examines the future of Jermaine O'Neal and the Pacers.

Getaway Day
On Nets.com, the players pack up their lockers with an eye toward next season.

New Direction
On Knicks.com, Donnie Walsh explains his plans for getting New York back on track.