As is always true this time of year, many NBA personalities have reached the top of their personal and professional mountain.  These deserving people will be so honored.

Shaq - Shaq has done it.  He has achieved the post-Kobe title that he has so desperately longed for, really since Kobe title #2.  The Diesel was so desperate for such a ring that he encouraged his own diminished role, allowing Dwyane Wade to lead the Heat to the trophy.  Shaq is not any higher on the all-time centers list now than he was before, but this was personal for him.  Many players cannot humble themselves from their once-great status to be a second option.  Shaq has openly and more than willingly done just that.  No one is a bigger winner here than Shaq.

Dwyane Wade - MeanD has already said it all about Wade.  He effectively moved from one the best to the best player in the NBA.  Congrats to D-Wade.

Pat Riley - The biggest historical winner of all.  Riles is now on the Mount Rushmore of NBA coaches with Phil and Red.  There is something special about winning championships in two locations.  Now he is the third coach to achieve such a status.  Pat Riley effective made a team full of former #1 or #2 options and convinced them that their diminished roles would lead them to the Promised Land.  The only thing missing on this Heat team was a 12^th man Charles Barkley holding on for a ring.  Maybe Patrick Ewing can be an assistant coach in Miami next year?

Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning, and Antoine Walker - They have their rings.  Maybe they'll go away now.  Unfortunately, we're not that lucky.  I wouldn't mind Alonzo hanging around.  I don't like Payton but it's not physically painful to watch him play like it is with 'Toine.  It amazes me that in all of his years in basketball, he still doesn't know that he can't shoot, finish near the basket, play defense, or really bring anything positive to the table other than enthusiasm, decent ball handling out of the #4 spot, and an occasional good pass.  World Champion Antoine Walker should encourage people like Steve Francis.  If you surround yourself with enough talent, you can be a champion.  Greg Oestertag did play in the NBA finals after all.  Keep your head up Steve.  You just need to change your nickname to "Stevie Role" because "Stevie Franchise" will continue to make you "Stevie Trade Deadline Move Because I've Led My Team To Yet Another Lottery Pick".

Isaiah Thomas - It's official.  Everything Isaiah has been working for all of these years has finally happened.  Isaiah is back on an NBA sideline (as much as the Knicks can be considered an NBA team).  Someone please explain the thought process that makes someone believe, "I think we'll be better of if Isaiah Thomas coaches our team instead of Larry Brown.  In fact, I'll pay Larry $50 million to not be our coach.  That way I can hire Isaiah.  This is a great idea; I'll do this today."  MeanD's "BDG" series may have inspired me to write my own, "Why I should run the Knicks" series.  Anyway, congrats to you Isaiah, you are now the Head Basketball Coach of the New York Knickerbockers basketball franchise.