The All-Star break has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to look forward to in the second half… the playoffs are coming! But before that, we have the trading deadline, which comes on Thursday of this week. Who knows what will happen, but I’m ready!

Monday

No games scheduled – use that time to watch my boys #1 Kansas play #23 Texas Tech on ESPN,(Kansas!).

Tuesday

Suns @ Grizzlies – Welcome back to the second half… great matchup here! I wonder if Amare Stoudemire will even be on the team for this one. I’d like to see him square off against Zach Randolph.

Mavs @ Thunder – Get excited. Dirk the Jirk against Kevin Durant. I could see them dueling for a full four quarters. Either way, here is a litmus test of the new trade.

Jazz @ Rockets – Don’t forget how good the Jazz are, despite their scary loss to a Kobe-less Lakers. Meanwhile, the Rockets have to win all the home games they can to secure a playoff spot.

Wednesday

Jazz @ Hornets – Normally, this matchup would be between superguards Deron Williams and Chris Paul. Well, Paul is hurt, BUT I’m going to stick with this matchup to give Darren Collison a chance to prove his game.

Suns @ Mavs – The Suns must win more consistently if they want to make the playoffs because they were really let down by losing their last game before the break. Here’s a game against the new look Mavs!

Thursday

Nuggets @ Cavs – Melo vs. LeBron. I don’t like either of them, but it’s always cool to see these guys square off because they are so competitive. Not only that, but they’re friends, so they got that goin too.

Celtics @ Lakers – Finals preview? Nah, but it is fun to watch these teams battle because I feel they genuinely hate each other. Just like the 80s.

Friday

Mavs @ Magic – I’m all over the Mavs this week, haha. This is their third game highlighted this week in this post, but I just can’t help it! I want to see how this trade works out for them, and this will be a good test against Orlando.

Celtics @ Blazers – C’s and the B’s from Portland. I’m curious to see if the Celtics will keep their core or make a move before the trade deadline on Thursday. Either way, how will they react against the Blazers?

Saturday

Bobcats @ Bucks – Why cover this game? Because both of these teams are battling for the Eastern Conference 8^th seed! I actually like these two teams because they seem focused on the playoffs.

Thunder @ Knicks – Ok, truly, I picked this game because Kevin Durant has an opportunity to play at MSG and display his skills on the famed floor. Let’s see if he can follow the lead of LeBron and Kobe.

Sunday

Cavs @ Magic – I love this matchup – it’s the same court where LeBron stormed off like a little girl after being eliminated from the playoffs last year.

Celtics @ Nuggets – Wow, what a tough trip for the Celtics. They can’t take a break, especially not against the Nuggs and Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups. Can Rondo contain him?

5 Players With Something To Prove In Second Half

Amare Stoudemire – I don’t question his talent, but I question his heart. If he is traded, will his game step up? If he stays in Phoenix, will he play with 100% intensity?

Tracy McGrady – He’s got to get traded this week. So if he does, he will be playing for a contract next season. That’s something to be proven and decided.

Caron Butler – Again, Butler was traded to put the Mavericks back into the West elite, but that’s a lot of unfair pressure for him. But that’s the way it goes…

Vince Carter – My goodness, he is hot and cold. Will the Magic stay in the East elite with his help? Or will he drop them down a peg?

Richard Jefferson – He was brought to the Spurs to keep them at the top, but it’s been quite the opposite. It’s certainly not Tim Duncan’s fault, so I am putting the blame on R-Jeff. But he can still redeem himself.

-Shooter