Here is the 2013 All-NBA Third Team

Apr 24, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) dunks past San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during game two of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at AT

Dwight Howard – Center, Los Angeles Lakers

Despite a first-round sweep at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, Dwight Howard was named to the All-NBA third team. Once a lock for the first team, lingering injuries bottled up the dominant big man to an extent this season.

Howard averaged 17.1 points on 57.8% shooting, 2.4 blocks, and a league-high 12.4 rebounds per contest. As scary as it is, Dwight was just a shadow of his usual self in his first season in Los Angeles. Howard is also an unrestricted free agent as of July 1st.

May 14, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward David Lee (10) is defended by San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (right) during the second half in game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the AT

David Lee – Power Forward, Golden State Warriors

While most believe Stephen Curry is the best player on the up-and-coming Warriors squad, and are correct, David Lee was the lone All-Star this season. Curry may have had the breakout postseason, but Lee was the most consistent piece on an inconsistent team.

Lee averaged 18.5 points and 11.2 rebounds, finally living up to the big contract he signed that he left the New York Knicks for.

May 18, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) reacts to defeating the New York Knicks in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Paul George – Small Forward, Indiana Pacers

Paul George is taking some heat today for his defense on LeBron James in the final 2.2 seconds of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Regardless of his decision to overplay LeBron with no Roy Hibbert protecting the rim, George had a breakout season.

The NBA’s Most Improved Player established himself as the best player on the Pacers and has made former All-Star Danny Granger expendable. George averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per contest over the course of the 2012-2013 season.

Apr 21, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) is pressured by Milwaukee Bucks point guard Monta Ellis (11) in the first half during game one of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Dwyane Wade – Guard, Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade has been a top-five player in the league for nearly a decade. Injuries, and some may say age, has Wade’s numbers and play falling off a little bit as of late.

D-Wade averaged 21.2 points, 5.1 assists, and 5 rebounds per contest. While he may have lost a step or an inch off his vertical, do not think for a second that Wade is not happy being LeBron James’ right-hand-man.

Wade is still a part of what is easily the most dominant trio in the NBA, along with LeBron and Chris Bosh. Miami is also heavily favored to win the title once again, defending last year’s championship victory.

Mar 27, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) dribbles against Indiana Pacers small forward Paul George (24) in the first half at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

James Harden – Guard, Houston Rockets

“Fear the beard”, some may say. Harden has established himself as an elite NBA superstar less than a year after being traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder. After the breakout season that Harden had, along with Russell Westbrook’s injury ultimately resulting in a second-round playoff exit, the Thunder are really kicking themselves for this trade.

While Oklahoma City would have likely lost Harden to free agency this summer, it would have been one more run for the trio that carried the Thunder to the NBA Finals a season ago.

Harden averaged 25.9 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in his first season with the Rockets. He quickly put the Rockets on the map, and gave his former team all that they could handle in the first-round of the playoffs.

Snubs: When thinking of players that did not make the teams that maybe should have, two come to mind instantly. Stephen Curry is one that jumps out, particularly after the postseason that he had. After not being named to the All-Star team for the Western Conference, many thought he got the short end of the stick. Steph may have been the receiver of bad luck once again.

Zach Randolph is the other name that comes to mind. Randolph has consistently been one of the best low-post players in the NBA. Z-Bo posted 15.4 points and 11.2 rebounds this season. Not only is his stat line impressive, but he is the other half of what may possibly be the best high-low combination in the league, the other being Marc Gasol.

Any other snubs come to mind? Let us know in the comment section below!

Apr 9, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) reacts in the first half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat (1) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (8)

1. Preview : While Miami tends to walk all over everyone in the East, the Bucks seem to never go down without a fight. Whatever the reason may be, it is a consistently a competitive match-up. The Heat took 3-of-4 games in the regular season from the Bucks, losing the other by 19 points. In another match-up, Milwaukee took Miami to overtime before losing by seven points.

2. Miami’s X-factor : Chris Anderson. This may come as a shock too many, but everyone knows what to expect from LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. They will get theirs, no questions asked, but the acquisition of Anderson mid-season is as big a reason for their success as anything else. Miami’s biggest problem since during the “Big Three” era has been the lack of a true center, forcing Chris Bosh to try to fill that role. Think back to the struggles they had with Indiana in the playoffs, Roy Hibbert dominated Miami’s entire front court. With that said, “Birdman” has added size, energy, athleticism, rebounding, and a defensive presence to the biggest chink in Miami’s armor. Not only was this a great addition for the Heat, but it was just as big, if not bigger, for Chris Bosh. The signing allowed Bosh to move back to his natural power forward position, where his offensive versatility is viewed as an asset, rather than an issue.

3. Milwaukee’s X-factor : Larry Sanders. Miami attacks the paint about as much as any team in the NBA, whether it be in the half-court or transition. LeBron and Wade do their work attacking the basket on dribble-drives the majority of the time, and Chris Bosh gets a lot of catch-and-finish opportunities around the basket as a result. Larry Sanders has made it known to the rest of the league that he is no scrub, especially on the defensive side of the court. In Milwaukee’s only win against Miami this season, he had an impressive 4 blocks to go along with 11 rebounds and 16 points. Milwaukee will need more of the same from their young rim-protector if they plan to make this series even remotely competitive.

4. Prediction : Miami takes this one in five…maximum. Nobody would be shocked if the defending champions swept the Bucks, but it wouldn’t be shocking if they stole one at home if Miami lost its focus and thought every team would just lay down for them. LeBron, Wade, Bosh, and company will take this series, it’s just a matter of how many games. All of that depends on whether or not they come out with the killer instinct we saw in the midst of the team’s 27-game win streak. The Heat won 66 games in the regular season, the Bucks finished sub .500. Enough said.