When Lebron James audibly sucked his teeth in the middle of his incredulous post-game rant after the Miami Heat were unceremoniously defeated by Dirk Nowitzki the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals, every negative criticism ever lobbied at the man know as the greatest basketball player in the world came into crystalline focus.

It was the flagrant foul heard ‘round the world. When 7-foot, 285 lbs Los Angeles Laker center Andrew Bynum threw a crushing forearm into the foot shorter and one hundred pounds lighter Dallas Maverick guard JJ Barea, it represented more than just pride meeting frustration. The crushing blow symbolized a rapidly fading era of professional basketball tradition lashing out at the new breed of faster, fresher faces that are en route to redefining the NBA elite.

It was a crazy NBA trade deadline, one of the busiest in years. Who knows how it will all shake out with the impending CBA, but we’re going to do our best to breakdown some of the winners and losers now that the dust has settled. After all, it’s not everyday that you see basketball stars like Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams and Baron Davis on the move. And when the New York Knicks are involved, the sports world talks about it. How did the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavs, LA Clippers, New Jersey Nets, and other teams make out in the final account?

Blake Griffin has had a tremendous impact in his rookie campaign so far. He’s averaging a double-double on one of the NBA’s worst teams, and looks like he was born to dominate a basketball game. Who could top Griffin as rookie of the year come season’s end? And more importantly, could Griffin launch the L.A. Clippers, and turn one of the most sad sack franchises in sports history into a contender at last?

2010 was an incredible year in sports, especially if you are a basketball, hockey, or MMA fan. But other sports had plenty of drama as well, both good and bad. Phil Mickelson, Serena Williams, Mike Krzyzewski, Sidney Crosby, Manny Pacquiao, Georges St. Pierre, LeBron James and Roy Halladay were all in the headlines for the right reasons. Meanwhile some characters, like Tiger Woods and Reggie Bush were in the headlines for the wrong reasons. All in all, it made for an exciting year in the NFL, PGA, NBA, NCAA, UFC and just about any other league you can name. So without further delay, here’s my list of the best moments of the sports of 2010:

When the Seattle Supersonics packed up and left the Key Arena for good, they were a lackluster squad with only the most distant hopes of rebuilding into something worthwhile. Most of those hopes hung on the shoulders of Texas Longhorn Kevin Durant. 2007’s second overall pick, Durant had the potential to become an NBA star, and the new basketball market of Oklahoma City, home to the newly christened Thunder, would be the proving ground.

The New Orleans Hornets have been the surprise of the NBA early in the 2010-11 season, going 7-0 to start the year. They’ve come out on the right side of match-ups with some legit contenders, and 2011 could be the year they make a big push for a championship. Of course, the key to whatever success the Hornets have had so far and will have in the near future is Chris Paul.

He was once one of basketball’s brightest stars, but Allen Iverson won’t even be in the NBA to start the 2010-11 season. The former Philadelphia 76er and Denver Nugget had trouble procuring a deal this year, and has accepted a deal to play professional basketball in Turkey.

It’s been a long strange career for the ultra-talented but often troubled Iverson. It’s hard to imagine that playing overseas is going to reignite the man once known as “The Answer,” but with a player of his caliber, anything is possible.

The biggest news in the NBA this off-season was the departure of LeBron James from the Cleveland Cavaliers in favor of the Miami Heat. Chris Bosh joined James, while Dwayne Wade stayed home in the Sunshine State to round out the superstar trio and create a dream team. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics stood pat, looking for another trip to the NBA championship finals via the Eastern Conference playoffs.

But what happened back in Cleveland? The whole team was shaken up by the LeBron leaving, and the Cavs scrambled to put together a group that few pundits suggest will find much success in 2010-11.

Shaquille O'Neal joins the Boston Celtics to seek his fifth NBA titleShaquille O’Neal signed with the Boston Celtics earlier this month. The 2010 NBA runners up look to strengthen their presence in the paint with the league’s oldest active player, who remains a modest threat down low. The Celts will need to shore up their veteran roster if they hope to compete with the Miami Heat since their Eastern Conference rivals acquired LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

The 38-year-old Shaq may be looking at his last season in the NBA. He will start the year as Boston’s back-up center, with Jermaine O’Neal taking the first string spot. But if Kendrick Perkins can return to full health, O’Neal’s playing time could be severely limited.

Basketball fans may be looking at the next NBA dynasty, and it’s a team that hasn’t won a championship since 2006. By landing LeBron James last week, the Miami Heat immediately became serious contenders. James joins superstars Dwayne Wade and the recently acquired Chris Bosh to begin an era already nicknamed “Miami Thrice.”

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA finals this week to win the franchise’s 16th championship. Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and company managed to keep Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen in check long enough to stake their claim as the best team in basketball.

The two biggest questions that arise from this year’s NBA season are these:

1. Are the Lakers the greatest franchise in NBA history?

2. Is Kobe Bryant the greatest Laker of all time?

It’s a great time of year for sports fans. The 2010 NBA playoffs are in full swing and have provided incredible ups and downs. Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers look dominant in the west, while Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics surprised everyone by shutting down Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavs.

The NBA playoffs start this weekend, which is great news for hoops faithful around the country. The road out of the Western Conference is tough. With no clear favorite, the L.A. Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns all have their work cut out for them.

It really is a dogfight in the West, with nearly every series up for grabs. Even the #1 vs. #8 game could come down to the wire. The Lakers are a relatively weak top seed, while the Oklahoma City Thunder have competed hard all season.

With the NBA playoffs in full swing, 2010 will be the battle to not lose to Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavs. Does anyone in the Eastern Conference have what it takes to derail pro basketball’s team of destiny?

Let’s start by taking a look at the favorites themselves. The #1 overall seed takes on the East’s #8 seed the Chicago Bulls in round one.