4. Image Management

Image really might have been everything in 2004 in the NBA. That year, Kobe Bryant was to stand trial for sexual assault (the charges were later dropped) and the league was anxious to find a new star to take his place. Rumor had it that Dwayne Wade was the anointed one and that the refs were charged with making sure his Miami Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks in the finals. They certainly gave him plenty of opportunity, including more free throws than the entire Mavericks team in one game.