NBA Second-Half Questions

With the first half in the history books, BV Sports' NBA guru Marc Spears lists the 10 questions that will be shaping up the second half of the NBA season.

1. Riley Feeling The Heat

Coach Pat Riley will return to the bench next week after taking a leave of absence due to hip and knee surgery. He will replace interim coach Ron Rothstein, who led the Heat to a 13-9 record bettering Riley's 13-17 mark before he stepped down. Will the reigning NBA champions be better or worse under Riley now? Their all-star center Shaquille O'Neal is still struggling to get back to full form after knee surgery, while superstar guard Dwyane Wade could hit a wall after not taken anytime off last summer, because of his USA Basketball commitments. And Miami has so far not solidified its claim to a playoff spot this season. Don't be surprised if Miami plays Detroit, Cleveland or Washington in the first round starting on the road.

2. Trading Places

The Feb. 22, NBA trade deadline surely has a lot of players nervous. Many marquee name and solid players are on the block, including Memphis forward Pau Gasol, New Jersey Nets' guard Jason Kidd and forward Vince Carter , Los Angeles Clippers swingman Corey Maggette , Orlando forward Grant Hill , Chicago forward-center P.J. Brown, Detroit center Nazr Mohammad and Houston guard Bonzi Wells . It's always hard to predict just how much wheeling and dealing the approaching deadline will generate. But expect all the NBA executives to be talking at length during NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas about potential trades and 2007 draft picks.

3. Oden versus Durant

NBA scouts continue to say Ohio State center Greg Oden is the top prospect in this year's draft since he is the true center who rarely comes along. Even so, Texas forward Kevin Durant explosive scoring and rebounding has sparked a debate about who should be the top pick. Both freshmen are expected to enter the draft after this season. Boston, Memphis, Philadelphia and Charlotte are the main front-runners for Oden or Durant's services. It could be a blessing and a curse to have the top pick.

4. Yao's Influence

Led by NBA all-star Tracy McGrady, the Houston Rockets is still one of the Western Conference's best teams despite all-star center Yao Ming being out for most of the season due to a leg injury. Yao could be back in the lineup in March. Could Yao's return make the Rockets a title contender? If McGrady and Yao stay healthy, the Rockets are a scary team to play in the postseason. But the long-term health of both players is a big question mark.

5. Mavs Chasing Title

The Dallas Mavericks have no one to blame but themselves for not winning the 2006 NBA title after blowing a potential 3-0 lead. Dallas has returned this season with a vengeance and can finish with one of the top regular-season records in NBA history. But winning in the regular-season doesn't equal a first-ever NBA title. The Mavericks have a chip on their shoulder due to last season's disappointing end. But can Dallas overcome the pressure of making up for what they lost last season? Owner Mark Cuban will be watching.

6. Can MVP Stay Healthy?

Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash is not playing in the NBA All-Star game Sunday because of a lingering inflammation in his right shoulder. He has missed the last four games. He will have had two weeks to rest and treat the shoulder before the Suns play their first post-all star contest Feb. 20 against the Clippers. One concern: Nash is chasing his own career-high 35.3 minutes-per-game average this season. The Suns should go for a veteran backup point guard to reduce his minutes and the risk of him being worn down at playoff time.

7. Best of the Worst

The Eastern Conference is loaded with teams struggling to stay over .500. In fact, don't be surprised if two of the East's playoff teams have losing records and Toronto could end up the only team in the Atlantic Division with a winning record. There will be a dogfight in the junior varsity division of the NBA for seeds three through eight. Several playoff positions could be determined in the regular-seasons final days.

8. Will Nuggets Shine?

The Nuggets have arguably the best scoring duo in the NBA in Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, but they haven't played many games together due to injuries and Anthony's suspension. Nuggets center Marcus Camby is having a high-caliber season while forward Nene Hilario is starting to show why he has a $60 million contract. If Denver gets healthy and everyone gets comfortable in their roles, they will be a difficult team to beat in the postseason.

9. Gay Controversy

Former NBA player John Amaechi recently became the league's first ever player to come out the closet. Will others follow? There are rumors that there could be several others staying quiet about being homosexual as well. Some players have expressed discomfort about playing with someone gay while others say it shouldn't matter. Stay tuned.

10. Other Coaches On Hot Seat

Rumors persist that Seattle coach Bob Hill will be replaced by former Sonics legendary coach Lenny Wilkens. The Boston Celtics' franchise-worst struggles have coach Doc Rivers on the hot seat. Charlotte coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff is considering just being in the front office after this season. New Jersey's disappointing season has the spotlight on coach Lawrence Frank, too.

-- Marc J. Spears covers the NBA and the Denver Nuggets for The Denver Post.