Gilbert Arenas is back...

2007-08 Conference Quarter-finals
After 1,230 regular-season contests, the NBA playoffs are set to begin on both Saturday and Sunday; Here's a closer look at some key players to watch for...

WHO TO WATCH?

...IN THE EAST:

- CELTICS-HAWKS -
Player to watch for the Celtics: Ray Allen, SG. He is a clutch shooter and a great postseason asset, but Allen has suffered through a lot of aches and pains this season and averaged just 12.7 points per game in April.
Player to watch for the Hawks: Josh Smith, F. He's the Hawks' most athletic and talented player, but his run-ins with head coach Mike Woodson have been regular for the past few years. How he responds to the playoffs will be interesting.

- PISTONS-76ERS -
Player to watch for the Pistons: Richard Hamilton, SG. Rip's hip is the focus for much concern in Motown. He is the Pistons; go-to scorer on a team that doesn't have a lot of scoring to begin with, so his health will be a big source of scuttlebutt.
Player to watch for the Sixers: Thaddeus Young, F. The rookie has been very impressive for stretches and while starting power forward Reggie Evans has a lot more experience, he has been inconsistent this season. Could Young be the starter at some point in this series?

- MAGIC-RAPTORS -
Player to watch for the Magic: Jameer Nelson, PG. He has been in and out of the starting five several times this season and a recent concussion doesn't help. If the Magic struggle, he may start to hear it from fans and the Orlando media.
Player to watch for the Raptors: Andrea Bargnani, F/C. Il Mago has had a very tough sophomore campaign and if the Raptors start getting manhandled in this series, Bargnani may come under more scrutiny. That said, he also has a chance to redeem himself here.

- CAVALIERS-WIZARDS -
Player to watch for the Cavaliers: Ben Wallace, PF/C. The Cavs made a huge trade at the deadline to pick up his playoff experience, but Big Ben has struggled badly and has been bothered by a bad back.
Player to watch for the Wizards: Gilbert Arenas, G. Is his knee ready for the playoff grind? Agent Zero is a prime-time producer, but hasn't yet shown he's back to his old dominant self yet.

...IN THE WEST:

- LAKERS-NUGGETS -
Player to watch for the Lakers: Andrew Bynum, C. For weeks the Lakers and head coach Phil Jackson have been assuring everyone that Bynum should be ready for the playoffs. But will his wonky knee be?
Player to watch for the Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony, SF. His recent arrest on suspicion of DUI makes him the obvious center of attention. The good thing is it takes the focus off fellow veterans Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, and Anthony Carter.

- HORNETS-MAVERICKS -
Player to watch for the Hornets: Chris Paul, PG. He is a legitimate MVP contender in just his third NBA season. But how will he do in the postseason crucible?
Player to watch for the Mavericks: Jason Kidd, PG. It would be easy to say Dirk Nowitzki is on the spot here, but Kidd becomes the team's new veteran go-to guy. And at the age of 35 he'll be driven more than ever to get that first ring.

- SPURS-SUNS -
Player to watch for the Spurs: Manu Ginobili, SG. He hasn't won the playoff MVP yet but he was robbed of it last postseason. That said, a groin injury has really slowed him down lately. Also keep an eye on Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry, who were accused of goon tactics in this same matchup last year.
Player to watch for the Suns:Shaquille O'Neal, C. Can he really run with the Suns? Or will it matter when the pace inevitably slows down in the playoffs, and the Suns are desperate for boards and toughness? We'll see. Big Cactus is a three-time playoff MVP.

- JAZZ-ROCKETS -
Player to watch for the Jazz: Andrei Kirilenko, F. He had some brilliant moments in last year's playoffs, then some not-so-brilliant ones. He's the big question mark in this series, and may be its deciding factor.
Player to watch for the Rockets: Bobby Jackson, PG. With Rafer Alston out the first game or more because of a hammy injury, veteran Jackson gets a chance to shine. He's clutch, but can he still bring it at the age of 35?