With the NBA at its break, The Put up’s hoops writers study the important thing questions from the primary half and forecast the remainder of the season (and offseason). Right here’s a glance:
1. The MVP proper now ought to go to …
Stefan Bondy: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder. There’s a powerful argument for Nikola Jokic, who’s carrying a worse crew on his again whereas averaging a triple-double. However SGA leads the league in scoring with outrageous effectivity, missed only one sport and is one of the best participant on one of the best crew.
Brian Lewis: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jokic is an in depth second, however the rise of SGA is full, and he’s carrying West-leading OKC with him.
Mike Vaccaro: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s a testomony to how nice SGA has been that he’s the one motive Jokic gained’t cruise to a different MVP.
2. The crew to be careful for within the second half is …
Bondy: The Lakers. Hate to be Captain Apparent, however including Luka Doncic makes a distinction. Additionally be careful for a post-break surge from the Timberwolves and Suns.
Lewis: The Celtics. Boston trails Cleveland by 5 ½ video games within the East however has the third-softest remaining schedule and is primed for a run.
Vaccaro: the Celtics. They’ve had some hiccups within the first half, however as soon as they begin to sniff the playoffs, they’ll attain one other stage.
3. The crew that may drop off within the second half is …
Bondy the Mavericks. Hate to be Captain Apparent, however dropping Luka Doncic makes a distinction. Anthony Davis is already out a number of weeks with an damage, and I by no means imagine in a crew with Kyrie Irving because the No. 1.
Lewis: the 76ers. They’re all concerning the Course of, and with the first-round decide they dealt to OKC top-six protected, they might shut down Joel Embiid and embrace the tank. Once more.
Vaccaro: the Cavaliers, solely as a result of it’s arduous to think about them taking part in at an .811 tempo throughout all 82.
4. The Knicks’ probabilities of making a deep playoff run come all the way down to …
Bondy: well being, particularly OG Anunoby’s and Karl-Anthony Cities’, whereas determining a method to cease Boston’s pick-and-roll. The Celtics may very well be the second-round matchup, and the Knicks have seemed like they don’t belong on the identical court docket in head-to-heads.
Lewis: luck within the bracket. They’ve misplaced all 5 conferences with Boston, Cleveland and (West foe) OKC by a mixed 91 factors.
Vaccaro: protection. They’re nearly sure to seek out the Celtics ready for them within the second spherical. They must be guarding by then.
5. The remainder of the Nets’ season is about …
Bondy: Dropping as many video games as attainable. They’ve a great coach so it gained’t be as straightforward because it sounds.
Lewis: Plotting a plan of action. They should resolve who’s a keeper and who isn’t, and whether or not to make use of their cap house in the summertime or punt it to 2026.
Vaccaro: Preserving their eyes on the prize. Is squeezing into the play-in value getting bounced out of the lottery?
6. A participant who isn’t an All-Star this season however who will likely be subsequent season is …
Bondy: Zion Williamson. He’s been an All-Star prior so that is dishonest, however I’m impressed by his slimmed-down physique, and subsequent season — following a commerce — will likely be when it lastly comes collectively.
Lewis: Amen Thompson. Selecting Luka Doncic looks like dishonest, so we’ll go together with Thompson, who’s simply 22 and nonetheless trending up.
Vaccaro: Tyrese Maxey. And for plenty of years after that, too.
7. The LeBron-Luka Lakers will …
Bondy: Lose to the Nuggets or the Thunder within the playoffs. They’re excellent however LeBron is 40 years outdated. I repeat, 40 years outdated.
Lewis: Be fascinating. No, they gained’t be one of the best crew, however watching LeBron and Luka modify to one another will likely be must-see.
Vaccaro: Win two rounds of playoffs and lose the convention finals in what needs to be an epic seven video games.
8. The results of the NBA Finals will likely be …
Bondy: Celtics over the Thunder. OKC could be very shut, however Boston nonetheless owns essentially the most gifted roster.
Lewis: But extra inexperienced. Watch the Celtics overcome Cleveland to return out of the East, then beat SGA and the Thunder within the Finals.
Vaccaro: Thunder over the Celtics in 7. OKC is among the few groups that match up favorably with the defending champs. Barely.
9. The subsequent NBA star to be traded will likely be …
Bondy: Zion Williamson. The Pelicans have been going nowhere for a very long time and kicked off an earnest rebuild by dumping Brandon Ingram. Additionally, be careful for Kevin Durant.
Lewis: Kevin Durant. Let’s be trustworthy, who actually thinks KD and the Suns can work long run now that he is aware of they tried to commerce him?
Vaccaro: Giannis Antetokounmpo, after one other fruitless postseason. Giannis delivered Milwaukee its title. Now it’s time for him to chase one other.
10. The NBA’s greatest offseason storyline will likely be …
Bondy: The draft lottery. Final yr was a dud of a draft — Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr aren’t distinction makers — however Cooper Flagg is a future star. Plus, free company will likely be a snoozefest.
Lewis: All the celebs who may get moved. Durant? Giannis? Trae? Dame Lillard? All? None? On this new period — get your bag, then power your transfer — that is the way it works.
Vaccaro: Who wins the lottery. Cooper Flagg is that good, and that intriguing a prospect.