The NBA season is ready to start the second half. This is the time for many teams to make a statement before the playoffs and ride that wave of success into the postseason. Other teams will fizzle out and barely make a splash in the postseason; this may be due to injury or just inconsistent play. Let’s examine some lingering questions as we are set to begin the second half of the season.

Can Lebron James lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to deep playoff run?
   
This is James’ third season and there is no doubt that he is one of the elite players in the league. Using that dominance to make your teammates better, while maintaining outstanding play is always the last piece of the puzzle that many superstars struggle with. King James will climb that mountain, but not this year.

But in all fairness, he just does not have enough talent around him. Role players are vital to a team’s success in the playoffs.  Larry Hughes was supposed to help take off some of the pressure but he has been a disappointment to say the least.

Drew Gooden has been a bright spot for the team and is a good option inside being consistent with his rebound output. This will help if Zydrunas Ilgauskas goes down with an injury in the second half of the season. Gooden will not be able to play center but he will help to get the rebounds they will miss.

The East is the weaker conference and that works in the Cavs favor, but they still have the Pistons and the Heat. I do not see the Cavs being able to take either one of these teams out in a grueling seven-game series. Last year, they almost pulled off defeating the Pistons but failed in the seventh game. But I just do not think they have improved enough to defeat one of the upper-echelon teams in the East.

How good will the Houston Rockets play when Yao Ming returns?

Tracy McGrady has held this team together since Yao went down with his injury. While his play has not been that astonishing, considering he has been a consistent All-Star, the play of the supporting class has been very promising. Dikembe Mutombo, who surprisingly is still playing, has stepped up and contributed tremendously in the middle. Shane Battier has also been a big surprise for the Rockets and played very well, becoming a real offensive threat.

With Yao having his best year yet and finally putting up the numbers that many hoped for when he was drafted, I see the Rockets as a powerhouse in the loaded West. If Yao stays healthy and McGrady’s back does not go out on him, this team has a good enough supporting cast to make a deep run in the playoffs. How far? I think this team will be in the Western Conference finals.  

Unfortunately for Rocket fans, McGrady and Yao staying healthy is a big if.

Can Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers finally go deep into the playoffs?
   
This is where Kobe can show his real leadership. We have all seen the stories this year talking about Kobe being a great teammate but I am not sold until I see him pull this team through a whole season. As we speak, the Lakers are in the midst of a major losing streak, they have lost 11 of their last 15, and will need Kobe to hold this young team together.