NBA Second Half: 30 Teams, 30 Questions

So now that the All-Star Break is over, it's time to ask a question for every team for the second half. Will the blockbuster trades push some teams to the top? Who's going to be this year's worst team? (Do you even care?) 

Let's take a preview of what to look for in the second half of the season. The questions are given in the order of best-to-worst overall records.

 
1. Boston Celtics (41-9)

With the “Big Three” playing heavy minutes, will they be healthy for the playoffs?

2. Detroit Pistons (39-13)

Are we going to see the red-hot Pistons burnout…again?

3. New Orleans Hornets (36-15)

Can the Hornets overcome inexperience and make a buzz in the playoffs?

4. Phoenix Suns (37-16)

Can Shaq regain some of his former self and power the Suns in the playoffs?

5. Los Angeles Lakers (35-17)

If the Lakers are completely healthy by playoff time, will the starting line-up feature Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum?

6. San Antonio Spurs (34-17)

Are the Spurs prepared to make another strong second-half run again? 

7. Dallas Mavericks (35-18)

Can Jason Kidd really make everyone better and help the Mavs make another run at a championship?

8. Utah Jazz (34-19)

Can the Jazz’s balance help overcome quicker or stronger teams in the West?

9. Golden State Warriors (32-20)

Will Don Nelson’s run-and-gun offense run past the bigger and more physical teams?

10. Houston Rockets (32-20)

Can Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady stay healthy and continue their hot play in the second half?

11. Denver Nuggets (32-20)

Are the Nuggets wondering how they are still ninth in the west standings?

12. Orlando Magic (33-21)

Does Hedo Turkoglu feel snubbed after David Stern picked Rasheed Wallace as a reserve?

13. Cleveland Cavaliers (29-23)

Will the supporting cast give more help to Lebron James who has powered the Cavaliers in the last two playoffs?

14. Toronto Raptors (28-23)

Can Toronto play enough defense to make them serious contenders in the East?

15. Portland Trail Blazers (28-24)

Would the Blazers have made it further if they had a healthy Greg Oden?

16. Washington Wizards (25-27)

Will the Wizards’ “Big Three” be healthy in time to make a playoff push?

17. Sacramento Kings (23-28)

Will we see Ron Artest shipped out of Sacramento before the trade deadline?

18. New Jersey Nets (23-30)

Can the Devin Harris fill Jason Kidd’s shoes in the long run?

19. Philadelphia 76ers (23-30)

If Andre Miller remains in Philly, can they finish the season with positive vibes heading into the offseason?

20. Atlanta Hawks (21-28)

Could Mike Bibby be the veteran point guard that can create for the other players?

21. Chicago Bulls (21-31)

Should the Bulls start developing Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas more instead of playing Ben Wallace?

22. Indiana Pacers (21-32)

Were the Pacers teasing themselves after starting the season 3-0?

23. Milwaukee Bucks (19-34)

Is there anything to say for the Bucks?

24. Charlotte Bobcats (19-34)

Should Michael Jordan come out of retirement for a third time?

25. Los Angeles Clippers (17-33)

Will we get to see the Clippers’ version of the Twin Towers in Elton Brand and Chris Kaman before the season ends?

26. New York Knicks (15-37)

Will Eli Manning become an elite quarterback and lead the Giants back to the Super Bowl?

27. Memphis Grizzlies (14-38)

Without Pau Gasol, will my NBA 2k8 allow me to score 48 points again with Rudy Gay?

28. Seattle Supersonics (13-38)

Can someone at least tell Kevin Durant to take some better shots and grab some more rebounds?

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-41)

Do you care that the Timberwolves may not be the worst team by the end of the season?

30. Miami Heat (9-42)

Will the Heat AT LEAST avoid the NBA’s worst record, 9-73, and then avoid the franchise worst record, 15-67?