While LeBron James had his expectations over the years, may perhaps in some ways risen, but they may have been declining a bit with him winning a title with his Heat last year. James, and the Heat are expected to make the Finals this NBA postseason.

But of the other NBA stars heading to the postseason, which of these guys is going to leave us sayin “wow.” Each player has their own skill set and each is very different players from one another. But here are the top 3 players I expect to bring their games to the next level and create some turmoil come playoff time.

Durant has been playing awesome. He has his team on the verge of 60 wins, and he is the reason why. Russell Westbrook needs to discover his role as a secondary scorer, KD needs to lead his team, and he is getting more aggressive as well. Can he help them to take the advantage in a strong Western conference?

At 6-foot-10, with extraordinary athletic skill, Durant is an absolute matchup nightmare for just about anybody. He can extend defenses, put it on the floor and finish strong to the rack. When he gets on a hot streak, I don’t see a lot of teams who have a counter for him.

Durant might be established as the best matchup concern potentially for the Spurs, with no one who can stop him 1 on 1. Durant has the ability to lead his OKC Thunder to the NBA finals yet again. KD does the little things so well which is impressive, when he gets 3+ steals/game, the Thunder are 13-5.

Durant also, with his defensive skills with his length and quick hands and he is a machine that can score ridiculously. KD can do it all from scoring to rebounding to feeding the rock to his teammates. He is also a great free throw shooter at 91% and will be a player that everybody will be watching even more than usual.

When you have a team that went on a burning streak of their own, and a player lighting up the scoreboards, Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks are a team that is scaring many opponents.

In case you thought Anthony’s already-remarkable season couldn’t get any better, just wait until the Knicks face Boston, because these 2 legendary teams battling in playoffs, means basketball. Although ‘Melo had been christened a “game slower”, in the past, dribble for 15 seconds, then make a play, and his playoff performances have been disappointing to say the least, this year means a load to ‘Melo and the Knicks team, and he will make those who mistrusted his superstar standing look stupid. He will use his drive to make it big in the playoffs. Melo and the Knicks are back in the spotlight looking for another chance to shine on a big stage. He is an all-around scoring machine who can attack the glass with tenacity and get the easy layup or dunk or knock down the big three-pointer.

The Clips are getting themselves together and ready for a deep playoff run. They won their division, and to me, there is 1 main reason as to why.

Chris Paul will be a force in this year’s playoffs. He may not be a “shooting-point guard”, like some other big name PGs are swaying towards, but he is a proper PG who can lead a team. And really, who is going to stop him? With matchups vs a beat up Denver and an injury riddled Spurs looking promising, there is simply not a better PG in the NBA.

A championship isn’t completely necessary to mend the floundering Clippers history, and even if CP3 fails to make the finals; he may have a playoff push that leaves us shaking our heads in amusement.

Written by Mike Anthony for VegasTopDogs.com