A Look Foward to the Second Half

By: Robert Kivell

Last year in the second half of the season we saw the Sixers surge to make the playoffs, the Lakers dominate with their addition of Pau Gasol, and a 48 win team miss the playoffs. We saw Lebron James lead the league in scoring and Kobe Bryant win his first MVP award. The Eastern Conference won the All-Star game in New Orleans and Dwight Howard (AKA Superman) defied gravity the night before. The Hawks and Heat played the same game twice (The Hawks won both times), and Jason Kidd was traded from the Nets to the Mavs. Here is what you should look for during the second half of this season.

Second Half MVP: Chris Paul

Yes. I didn't say Kobe, or Lebron, or even Wade, but Chris Paul. I see Paul performing even better than his 21 points, 11 assists, and 3 steals he averaged in during the first half of the season. Paul will not only end the argument over who the best PG in the NBA is, but the argument will become Kobe vs. Lebron vs. CP3. I see Paul leading his Hornets to a 55 win season and helping New Orleans finish second in the western conference.

Second Half Disappointment: Kevin Garnett

The Celtics tumble from league supremacy to just one of the better teams in the league is a lot due in part to the lack of production from KG. In the month of January, Garnett has averaged just 14.2 ppg during the month of January and the Celtics' recent skid. Look for this lack of production from KG to continue and the Celtics to continue to struggle as well.

Second Half Sleeper: Utah Jazz
The Jazz started the year 5-0, but have not had the same good fortunes since then. Deron Williams started the year injured only to have Carlos Boozer go down as soon as he came back. Once Boozer and fellow injuree Paul Milsap come back, the Jazz will poised to make a run. The Jazz have been able to survive thus far and put up a nice 24-17. Once Utah is healthy again, they will be ready to pounce on the competition and finish in the upper tier of the Western Conference.

Second Half Dud: New Jersey Nets

Right now, the Nets are 19-22 and tied for 8th in the Eastern Conference. These guys just do not have the talent to finish at .500 and make the playoffs. The Nets have had one of the easiest schedules so far this season (SOS=.469) and have had 5 more home games than road games. Their success on the road will not continue and with the 76ers finally finding their groove, the Nets will miss out on the playoffs for the second straight year.