The 2011 NBA Playoffs are all set. By now, everyone knows the pairings for all of the eight First Round match-ups that start today (April 16). No one is more excited for some hoop action than self-proclaimed sports fanatic Freddie Gibbs. An avid basketball enthusiast,  Gibbs is amped about the prospects of the Chicago Bulls returning to the NBA Finals. XXL caught up with Freddie to find out which athletes he checks for on the court. “I’mma go with my ten favorite players to watch right now,” said Gibbs. “These young dudes be looking at this shit and they don’t really know nothing about the old shit.” Let the games begin.

— Nicole Lopresti

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Derrick Rose
Right now my number one guy is definitely Derrick Rose. I look at Derrick Rose and I see he’s reminiscent of Mike, you know what I mean? When I was watching Mike as a little boy. And plus, Derrick Rose is from Chicago, he from the hometown, so it’s love to see somebody come up from my area and play for the Bulls and take them this far. They won 60 games this year. It’s an honor, man. You know, Derrick Rose is definitely an inspiration to a lot of people around our area. So, I definitely got to say Derrick Rose is my number one player to watch. He’s definitely the best point guard in the league.

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Russell Westbrook
Another player that I enjoy watching is Russell Westbrook. He’s my second favorite guard in the league. I like him.

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Kevin Durant
I like Kevin Durant. Both of them play for the Oklahoma City Thunder. I definitely like watching them. They remind me of like the old school pointers from like the Trailblazers in ’92 when the Bulls played them. They’re tenacious. They’re fierce, man. Kevin Durant is the best scorer in the league.

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Brandon Roy
I enjoy watching Brandon Roy. I like Brandon Roy, man. He had an injury and shit, but he’s one of the best guys in the league.

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LaMarcus Aldridge
Another guy that I enjoy watching was on the All-Star team this year, LaMarcus Aldridge. I like his game. I like the way he plays. He kind of reminds me of KG, a little bit. But he actually has his own game.

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LeBron James
LeBron, of course. He’s the reigning MVP. I think LeBron’s still the best player in the league. Physically, nobody out there can match up to him.

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Dwyane Wade
D. Wade. I love watching D. Wade. When the Heat made they’re run in ’06 and what not, he didn’t get the credit that he deserved ‘cause you know, Shaq was there. You know, people be forgetting that that man has an NBA ring, man. D. Wade is definitely one of the best players of this era.

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Kobe Bryant
I mean, you know, Kobe…I hate the Lakers. I love Kobe’s game. When he told on Shaq, I ain’t like that. That’s bullshit. But Kobe’s one of the best players of all time. So, I definitely got to give Kobe his due.

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Shannon Brown
Speaking of the Lakers, I like Shannon Brown. He’s one of my favorite players to watch. He’s underrated in the league.

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Blake Griffin
I love watching Blake Griffin. I mean the Clippers [are] garbage, but I mean Blake Griffin is definitely a sight to see. He’s like Charles Barkley on steroids.  Definitely love Blake Griffin. He’s got game.

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Dwight Howard
It ain’t nobody that’s come in the game like him except Shaq. You know, he’s underrated. I don’t think people give Dwight his credit, man. Once he gets a ring, he’ll get his due. Hopefully he doesn’t get a ring any time soon while my Bulls in the hunt, you know?

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