Biggest Question Facing Every NBA Team

The NBA All-Star Game came to an exciting conclusion last night, and after a quick day off for everyone, the league is jumping right back into the season.

There have been plenty of surprises so far and even more disappointments, which leaves us with a confusing second half still left to get through.

Every team has a chance to improve their team in the coming weeks with the trade deadline looming; it's just a matter of whether they're going to try to improve them for this season or for the future.

Beyond that, there's at least one question surrounding each team concerning how they will perform in the second half, how they will end up looking as the year goes on and just whether or not they'll even have plans to stay in the same town that they're currently in.

So, without taking up any more of your time, here's the main thing on the mind of each NBA team headed into the second half of this ever-intriguing season.

Atlanta Hawks: What Happens with Josh Smith?

The Atlanta Hawks are dealing with deciding between taking a swing at doing something big for the immediate future or hanging onto what they have and breaking apart two years from now.

Joe Johnson is a step away from over the hill, but they still have Al Horford and Josh Smith on their hands to do something with.

Of those two guys, Josh Smith has the highest trade value, as he can play on both ends of the floor, even if he does get a bit moody on offense from time to time.

At this point, he seems to be the best trade asset not named Dwight, Deron or Steve, which could really shake things up in the East.

Boston Celtics: Can Age Overcome Beauty?

It's not a story anymore, but a reality for the Boston Celtics: These guys are old.

So far this year, they have had little dings and dents keeping guys out of their starting lineup, but they've yet to have any real, detrimental injuries, something that could happen at any moment when four of their five regular starters are over the age of 33.

No, the Celtics have struggled this year while remaining relatively healthy, which just makes it seem like their team doesn't work anymore; it's put together poorly.

The only thing left to wonder is whether they can actually come together over the final few months of the season to win games and possibly win in the playoffs.

Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond or Harrison Barnes?

The Charlotte Bobcats are on the fast track to the top of the lottery. Unless David Stern ends up "making up" for the Chris Paul debacle, they'll likely end up with the number one pick.

The only question left is who to take with that pick, and as of right now it seems like a pretty damn obvious choice.

Anthony Davis has the defensive instincts and the offensive potential to be a superstar in this league, and putting him on their team could give them a future duo of Davis and Bismack Biyombo.

If that doesn't scream "defensive dominance," I don't know what does.

Chicago Bulls: Can They Take Down Miami?

For the Chicago Bulls, this should really be the only question left on their minds.

Who cares about the remainder of the regular season? They should be able to win enough games to make it to the playoffs with a top-two seed, so the only thing to worry about is the playoffs.

More specifically, they need to worry about whether or not they can beat the Miami Heat, who forced Derrick Rose to beat them last year, something he couldn't do.

With an actual shooting guard this season (once Rip Hamilton is healthy) they should have another player giving them relatively good production, so they should have a better shot at Miami.

Cleveland Cavaliers: How Does This Team Change?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a team that is going to be in flux for the rest of the season. The only thing left to wonder is what they will look like in the final months of the season.

Right now they are on the cusp of a playoff spot, but the front office understands that trading a few of their best players this season is better for them in the long run, so don't be surprised if Antawn Jamison and Ramon Sessions find new homes before the trade deadline.

Beyond that, everyone is wondering if Kyrie Irving, who, for all intents and purposes is having a better rookie season than LeBron James, will hit a rookie wall.

Dallas Mavericks: Will Lamar Odom Ever Show Up in Dallas?

It almost seems like the Lakers traded Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks at this point as a secret agent sent into sabotage their title defense. That's the only explanation I have for him playing this poorly.

Odom was one of the most valuable players for the Lakers last year, killing other teams in clutch situations and just doing what was asked of him, something he definitely hasn't done this season.

So the question remains in Dallas whether or not the Mavericks are ever going to get any real basketball out of Odom, because if they do they'll actually have a pretty good shot in the playoffs this year. 

Denver Nuggets: Will Al Harrington Keep This Up?

It used to be that Al Harrington was one of the most overpaid players year after year, getting paid nearly $10 million to shoot bad shots and loaf around on defense.

This year, however, he's a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. How does that happen?

Harrington isn't shooting any better than normal and he's scoring just a bit more than he did last year for the Nuggets, but he's definitely playing better, smarter basketball.

Is this really going to last all season long? If so, I have to question everything I know about this game.

Detroit Pistons: Do They Shed Any Players?

The Detroit Pistons are having one of the most unwatchable seasons in recent memory. Honestly, the only enjoyable part about watching them is seeing Greg Monroe's progress, taking a look at what Brandon Knight can do and hearing the name Jonas Jerebko.

Other than that, this team is just a bunch of guys playing basketball together for no reason other than the fact that it's their job.

It seems, thought, that they have very tradable contracts beyond Charlie V and Ben Gordon, so I'm wondering if they shed a player or two going into the final months to try to get some value back for the future. 

Golden State Warriors: Does This Defense Thing Actually Happen?

Remember Mark Jackson saying before this season started that he was planning on emphasizing defense for these Golden State Warriors? What ever happened to that?

The Warriors are 26th in the league in points allowed and 28th in rebounding, which doesn't exactly scream about an emphasis on defense.

I'm wondering if Jackson is still working on getting the hopeless defenders a defensive mindset or if he's just decided to let them go out and play and worry about this defense thing next year.

Houston Rockets: Do They Really Need a Star? Do They Already Have One?

Before the season started, the Houston Rockets had the chance to trade for a legitimate star in Pau Gasol, which would have then given them a chance to sign Nene. Well, neither ended up happening, but the Rockets are still a great team so far this season, without that star player.

I'm wondering at this point whether or not this team actually needs a star, as they play great as a team. 

Beyond that, do they have a budding star on their team already in Kyle Lowry, who has turned into Fat Lever 2.0 and is still growing?

Indiana Pacers: Who Is "The Man"?

In clutch situations this year (five minutes left in the fourth quarter or overtime, neither team up by more than five) the Pacers have gone to four main players with Danny Granger, David West, Roy Hibbert and Darren Collison each putting up 20 or more shots this season.

However, the jury is still out on who gives them the best shot in that situation.

Granger is their de facto best player, but he hardly creates for himself (over 70 percent of those shots were assisted) and he seems more comfortable standing at the three-point line and catching and shooting.

It remains to be seen whether this leadership-by-committee thing will work in Indy, although I do like the makeup of the guys shooting the ball.

Los Angeles Clippers: Can Anyone Really Guard the 2-Spot?

I like the makeup of the Los Angeles Clippers, but they have two glaring holes.

First, they need a coach who isn't Vinny Del Negro. He's just not getting the job done in terms of offensive creativity, but that's not something that's going to change this season.

The thing they can fix this year is their hole at 2-guard. They have guys talented enough to get on the floor, but they don't have anyone who is really built for the shooting guard spot, at least defensively.

They've run Mo Williams, Chauncey Billups and Randy Foye most of the time at shooting guard, but Williams is a scorer who happens to be just a shade over 6'1", Billups is hurt and Randy Foye is still a bit undersized at 6'4".

Foye has played well defensively, but his offensive game is lacking at this point, and will be again when they get to the playoffs and need someone to guard the Kobes, Ginobilis and Hardens of the league.

Los Angeles Lakers: Can LA Add Anyone When Bynum-for-Dwight Doesn't Happen?

It doesn't seem like Los Angeles is going to be moving either of their big men this season; it's just too close to the trade deadline with too little chatter going on if you ask me. However, that doesn't mean the Lakers are just going to roll into the playoffs with the team they have; that would be suicide.

The Lakers, quite honestly, need a guy like Lamar Odom back on their team. They are lacking any scoring coming from their bench and have had problems with having a three-dimensional offense in late-game situations.

They need a guy who can give them something, anything off the pine for the playoffs, because relying on Metta World Peace and Steve Blake isn't going to get them far.

Memphis Grizzlies: How Do They Look When Z-Bo Comes Back?

The Memphis Grizzlies were America's darlings in the playoffs last year after they played tough basketball to break their way into the second round and nearly upended the Oklahoma City Thunder.

However, they're a different team right now. Rudy Gay is playing and Zach Randolph is injured while Marc Gasol has become their most important player.

The only question I have left for them is whether or not they will work well with Gay, Randolph and Gasol on the floor at the same time.

Gay and Randolph are both offensive players first who need the ball to be effective. However, Gasol is a defensive player first who deserves the ball. It's hard to tell how this is all going to work out.

Miami Heat: Does the Pressure Get to Them Again?

Nothing Miami does for the rest of the regular season matters. Hell, nothing Miami does until the Eastern Conference Finals really matters.

I think that's why the media has backed off and that's why teams aren't killing themselves to try to win one game against them this season.

However, once the playoffs roll around, the narrative will change and the only question asked will be whether or not Miami can win games late in the Finals—if they make it that far, a question that won't be answered until they actually do it.

Milwaukee Bucks: Will Stephen Jackson Shoot Them out of Playoff Contention?

The Milwaukee Bucks are a good team every other game, it seems, and even though they don't do anything relatively well, they still cause problems for good teams.

Milwaukee has streaks of bad games, which has them at 13-20 right now, but they're still only 2.5 games out of the playoffs in the East. The problem is, they have one guy who just doesn't fit well with a successful basketball team.

Stephen Jackson continues to jack up shots, even though he's shooting just 35 percent and scoring 10 points a game on 10 shots.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Is Above .500 a Possibility? How About a Playoff Spot?

What's happening in Minnesota is something we haven't seen happen in years; the Timberwolves are winning basketball games.

While it doesn't seem like they are one of the eight best teams in the West, they certainly could make a case, especially with their 17-17 record.

So how good will this team get this season with all their pieces falling into place and how will that translate into the win column? Could this team actually end up with a playoff spot? That would be interesting.

New Jersey Nets: Does Deron Have Faith in This Team?

The future of the New Jersey Nets relies entirely on Deron Williams at this point. They are strolling into Brooklyn next season and without Williams they'll be boasting Brook Lopez as their star player. That's not exactly a great way to start things off.

For the Nets to keep Williams, they need to make sure he has complete confidence in their plan for the future, otherwise he'll be ready to run off to Dallas to play with Dirk Nowitzki next year.

New Orleans Hornets: Does Anyone Buy This Team?

Beyond the Hornets getting Eric Gordon back at some point and whether they'll win the lottery or not, the question to ask about New Orleans is whether or not anyone is going to buy this team before the season ends.

It seems imperative to me that for the sake of the franchise, they be sold before the end of the season so the new owner can implement his regime and get ready for the draft and free agency.

However, there's always the possibility that David Stern hasn't sold them yet because he wants to end up moving them away. 

New York Knicks: Does Jeremy Lin Stay Hot?

Jeremy Lin was the story of the first half of this NBA season, without a doubt. He saved the Knicks season, he's one of the best stories in the league in years and he came to play night after night, save Thursday's game against Miami.

The Knicks finally have a point guard that can handle the ball and run Mike D'Antoni's offense, meaning Carmelo Anthony doesn't have to play point forward. This has given the Knicks offense dimension and purpose as a unit, rather than just a bunch of guys trying to score.

However, is it not possible that this is a fleeting moment for Jeremy Lin? I hope he sticks around and continues to impress, but nothing is ever certain in the NBA, especially after just 11 starts. 

Oklahoma City Thunder: They're the Best in the West Now, Will It Stay That Way?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the best team in the Western Conference, both in record and in the mind of most people who have a basketball opinion. However, the jury is still out when it comes to what they're going to do in the playoffs.

For the Eastern Conference, there's pretty much an opinion throughout that Chicago or Miami will most likely be representing their conference in the Finals. However, the West is as wide open as it has been in years.

There's doubt about whether the Thunder are experienced enough or balanced enough on offense to make it to the Finals and win the title this year, but there's definitely a chance.

Orlando Magic: Would It Be Anything Other Than Dwight Howard?

This question isn't going to go away until it has an answer, and it's definitely not going to go dormant until the trade deadline passes. Even then, the only thing you'll hear is, "Where will Dwight end up this Summer?"

What are the Magic planning with Dwight Howard? Are they going to hold on for dear life and hope the ship doesn't sink in the process or are they going to finally give in and trade him away?

The coming weeks will hold the answer to this question and more for the Magic, as their next five years could very well be determined by the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Does That Defense Stay Tight?

When talking numbers, the Philadelphia 76ers have the best defense in the NBA. The 20-14 Sixers are giving up just 87.5 points per game, and while their offense hasn't held up the pace from the beginning of the season, their defense definitely has. Will this all continue?

Philly has bought into Doug Collins' schemes, one of the most important things to their success this season, but will their defensive prowess stay as high as it's been and will it make them a dangerous team in the playoffs?

Both of those questions definitely seem possible at this point.

Phoenix Suns: Do They Have a Mutual Break-Up with Steve Nash?

As a basketball fan, I want Steve Nash to get traded. As a person who admires Nash's hard work and sustained level of play at his age, I want Nash to get traded. As a person who admires his dedication to a franchise with no immediate future, I just want him to be happy.

From a basketball standpoint, Steve Nash is still one of the five best offensive point guards in the NBA and would be much better served on a contender. He deserves a ring more than any other player in the league.

However, he is dedicated to this franchise and this franchise is dedicated to him, as they should. Without Nash, they would be competing with the Bobcats for Anthony Davis. It's going to take a mutual break-up for Nash to get traded, but it's something that needs to happen.

Portland Trail Blazers: Do More Shots Start to Fall?

The Portland Trail Blazers, as a team, are shooting just about 45 percent, which is right around the league average. However, there are some key players whose shooting has been more than suspect.

Jamal Crawford, after starting the season great, is shooting under 40 percent and his shot selection has become poorer as the season has dragged along. Beyond Crawford, Raymond Felton is shooting even worse on a 38 percent clip, Wes Matthews is having one of his worst years and Marcus Camby, while not shooting often, has struggled mightily with putting the ball in the basket.

If some of these guys start pulling their own weight, this team could come back together. If not, they could just be another team hovering around the eight seed in the West.

Sacramento Kings: Are They Staying in Sacramento?

Attendance is up in Sacramento, but faith is not. Even as we speak, the Maloof Brothers are in talks with both the NBA and the city of Sacramento over what they can do about staying or leaving the town they're in.

I can't imagine that hopes are very high in Sac-Town, as talk has gone on for nearly two years now about the team hopping on the first train they see out of town to build again in Anaheim. 

San Antonio Spurs: Can They Avoid a Bad Playoff Matchup?

The San Antonio Spurs are ageless, and I'm not sure why we counted them out as quickly as we did.

They were the best team in the West in the regular season last year and only lost in the first round because it was the worst possible matchup for them and they had a key injury to Manu Ginobili.

With the age of their star players, there are teams out there who match up well with San Antonio. Although they are the second-best team in the West, there are a few teams out there who could beat them in the first round, Memphis being the most dangerous for them again.

Toronto Raptors: Will Andrea Bargnani Pick Up Where He Left Off?

Andrea Bargnani was having his best season so far before he went down just 13 games into the year with a calf strain, which is a shame.

Bargs was a legitimate All-Star at the time of his injury and he was a guy that was going to make the Raptors at least interesting to watch, but that calf has kept him out for over a month now.

He should be coming back in the next week or so. Here's hoping he comes back at a high level.

Utah Jazz: Can They Recover from a Rough February?

The Utah Jazz jumped out of the gate on a hot streak this season, running their record to 12-7 by the end of January, much higher than anyone expected.

Then February came and they fell back to earth. A 3-9 clip which has included a handful of blowout losses and some tough close games has hurled them back into the pack and has them scratching to stay afloat in the race for a playoff spot. 

The only question remaining is whether or not they can recover from this disastrous month.

Washington Wizards: Can They Have the Strangest Season Since the Jailblazers?

Every time I have a chance to watch the Washington Wizards, I do. I'm not there for the exciting, well-played basketball of their opponent or the recent resurgence of John Wall; I'm there for JaVale McGee and the rest of the team's antics.

The Wizards are on such a roll this season in terms of bone-headed plays per game that they're starting to rival the early 2000s Portland Trail Blazers when they were in and out of jail and getting in scraps every time the other team gave them a hard foul.

It's not good basketball, but it's damn entertaining basketball as long as you're not a Wizards fan.

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