Halftime

This weekend is the NBA All Star Game. Obviously, this is a good time to assess the NBA season up until this point. There have been amazing individual performances (Gilbert Arenas), long winning streaks (Dallas and Phoenix) and a memorable fight. All that matter at the end of the season though is who ends up on top. With that in mind, I will examine the top contenders and a couple of sleepers.

The Favorite

Dallas Mavericks: Dallas has the best record in the league at 42-9. While they are not as flashy as the Phoenix Suns, they have provided more substance so far this season. They have a balanced offense with five guys averaging in double digits, and an underrated defense. They have three players, in Dirk Nowitzki, Jerry Stackhouse and Jason Terry that have the potential to carry the team offensively for long stretches. Josh Howard is having his best season of his career by far. They are a great free throw shooting team and have a young coach who has had a historic beginning to his coaching career. While they don't have the pizazz of years past, they are solid in every aspect and can win at almost any style of game.

The Sexy Pick

Phoenix Suns: When this team is clicking they are a sight to be seen. They are so fluid on offense. It seems like everyone in their rotation can shoot, run and pass. Steve Nash is in a middle of one of the greatest PG runs in NBA history. They are relentless with their offense, and most of the time seem unstoppable. There are two major negatives about this team right now though. Number one is their defense. They give up the fourth most points per game in the Western Conference. While some may say that is inflated because of their fast breaking style of basketball, it will be a major concern come playoffs. The games slows down in the playoffs, and the Suns will have to prove that they can win games held under 100 points. The other major concern is health, more specifically Steve Nash. He has been out lately with a back issue, and if that lingers it would affect the Suns' chances in a huge way. If Nash is healthy though, they will be a tough team to beat in the playoffs.

The CEO Who Won't Retire

San Antonio Spurs: Every year the critics come out and say that San Antonio is done. That Duncan has lost a step and that this will be the year that the Spurs finally fall off. All they have done so far this year is play .650 ball in the Western Conference. This is a playoff tested crew that is loaded with veterans. They have a Hall of Fame coach and possibly the best big man of the past 20 years, besides Shaq. They are a team you must pay attention to and they will be a major factor in the playoffs.

Kobes' Shoulders

Los Angelas Lakers: This team has two things working for it, the best player in the League and the best coach in the League. Last year they lost a tough seven game series to the Suns, when they thought they had it in the bag. You have to think that last years' experience will help them this time around. If the supporting cast can keep up with Kobe, this team will be a legitimate contender in the West.

Shhhhhh....hes Sleeping

Houston Rockets: The Rockets have potentially the best duo in the league with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. This team plays great defense and has shown grit all season long. There are a couple things that have to happen for this team to make a dent in the playoffs. Number one is for T-Mac and Yao to get and stay healthy. Number two is for T-Mac to prove he can play big when it counts. Those are two HUGE ifs, but if they come to fruition, then this team could make a run. If they can find that third scoring option (Bonzi Wells??) then this team will be built for a playoff push. They already have the defense and the size inside. The coach has been there before as well.

Best of the Least

The only teams with a shot to win it all out of the East are the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. Each team deserves basically only one thing said about them, strictly to justify their status.

Miami Heat: The defending champs are getting healthy.
Cleveland Cavs: Lebron
Detroit Pistons: Been there before and Webber improves that offense a bunch.

I could have potentially added a couple more Western teams (Denver, Utah, etc), but either they have not played well enough so far, or I don't think that they have enough to make a legit run in June.

NBA Stuff

• Who is the MVP so far? I know that there is a strong push for a Steve Nash three-peat. It is tough for me to argue against. Some people say Gilbert Arenas, and while I respect how good he has been, I am not going to give the MVP to a player from the Eastern Conference. Right now I am split between Kobe and T-Mac. Both have had to lead their team while dealing with significant injuries from their second best player. Both have lower PPG than in other years, but are doing the other things (defense, assists) to keep their respective teams winning.
• Big name that should be traded? Pau Gasol. He is still relatively young and can average 20-10 and two or three blocks. If I am Chicago I offer Ben Gordon, Nochioni, and a top five protected pick this June.
• Last year everyone said the Joakim Noah was a sure top three pick. Now that he returned to school and the spotlight is on him for a full year his stock is not as stable. I see him as one of the more unique players to ever come into the draft. he is the best player on his team, yet he might have the fourth best skills. He is a born leader, and the hardest working guy on the floor. He is 6'11", but rail thin. He has an awkward looking jumper, but is a great finisher. He will have trouble bodying up on stronger, wider PF/Cs, but he can go straight up on a guy and block as well as anyone I've seen. Everyone I talk to compares him to a different NBA player. I have heard everything from Chris Webber post microfracture, to Andrei Kirelinko, to Marcus Camby, to Josh Childress. I see him as a guy who will be a starter on a high level team, but never a go to scorer. He may never be considered the "best" player on a team, but he will be the leader of a team. He is one of those guys who can average 12-15 PPG and never have a play run for him. If he can improve his 15 foot jumper or develop one go-to post move he could develop into a 16-18 PPG scorer. He is a dedicated rebounder, who will pass the ball well and battle on defense. While he will never be a "franchise" player in the traditional sense of the word, I would still take him as a top five pick. I would like to see him go to Philly, Golden State, or Atlanta off the top of my head.

Others

• Big win for the Knicks. Win or lose in Golden State, they will go into the All Star break not feeling too bad about their chances.
• I told you the Yankees have handled this Bernie thing terribly. Either sign him to a major league deal or nothing! He has a very good year last year. He does not deserve to have to earn his way onto the team through a minor league contract.
• Speaking of the Yankees, why don't then just sign Mariano to an extension now? They have angered a few of the veterans with their treatment of Bernie, and now they are not gunna talk extension with Mariano until after the season? Give him two years and $25 million right now. If you have to give him $30, then do it! On the open market he will get a ton no matter what (barring a serious arm injury this season). He is still the best closer in the game and has been for 10 years.
• It did not take long into retirement for Tiki to start talking about hid old team and his ex-coach. He really is a class act.

STKAFI