The NBA regular season has reached the mid-way point, and like last year, has failed to disappoint with its brand of ever-increasing athleticism, influx of talent and fascinating personalities. Here is some of the best and worst from the NBA at mid-season. 

Best Team —

Los Angeles Lakers

This mid-season award was a toss-up between the Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, easily the NBA’s best teams since the Boston Celtics underwent a holiday slump. Yet, the Lakers edge out the Cavs in part due to greater balance on their roster, a deeper bench and better competition in the Western Conference.

The Lakers pace the league with an impressive 108 points per game, thanks to team leader Kobe Bryant, who averages 27 points per contest. On any given night, the Lakers can receive significant contributions from starting players such as Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum and bench players like Lamar Odom and Sasha Vujacic. Regardless of the style of play other teams wish to impose on the Lakers, coach Phil Jackson has enough options to both match and exceed opponents. Expect to see Jack Nicholson sporting his sunglasses in a courtside seat come June.

Rookie of the Year —

Derrick Rose

Despite some fierce competition from the Memphis Grizzlies’ OJ Mayo and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook, Chicago Bulls’ rookie point guard Derrick Rose has defied pre-season predictions in becoming the league’s top first-year player. The point guard position is generally seen as one of the most difficult for a rookie player to play at the professional level, yet Rose, at 20 years of age, has adapted well. Through 40 regular-season games, Rose has averaged nearly 17 points per contest and over six assists. His quickness, athleticism and ability to finish at the basket have Chicago fans dreaming big for the first time since the reign of Michael Jordan.

Most Disappointing Player —

Tracy McGrady

Finally Tracy McGrady’s on-court play matches his sleep-eyed, half-stoned appearance. The Houston Rockets have played solid basketball, yet their top talent has played at a mediocre level and looks prepared for a significant career downfall. Despite being only 29 years of age, McGrady is a 12-year veteran and his body is beat up like a rusty Dodge pick-up. In 28 regular season games, McGrady has averaged under 16 points per game, nearly six below his career average, behind a horrendous 39 per cent field goal percentage.

Most Disappointing Team —

Philadelphia 76ers

Last season’s Philadelphia squad snuck into the playoffs and put a scare into the veteran Detroit Pistons behind their youth, athleticism and fearless play. When the 76ers signed free agent Elton Brand to an $80 million contract, most basketball writers salivated at their upcoming potential.

Mid-way through the regular season, however, the 76ers sit at a disappointing 19 wins and 20 losses, through Saturday’s action. So how has the Brand signing worked out? For the past month he’s been injured with a dislocated right shoulder, a span in which his team has an 8-6 record and has played infinitely better.

The Groundhog Day Award —

San Antonio Spurs

Much to the chagrin of most NBA fans, perennial contenders the San Antonio Spurs weathered an abominable start and postponed their retirement to the geriatric ward. Early in the season, all-stars Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker rode the bench with injuries, while superstar Tim Duncan held down the fort.

Now that they’re playing at full-strength, the Spurs look poised for a deep-season run and yet another post-season with an inordinate number of courtside TV appearances from Eva Longoria, Parker’s main squeeze. Credit the Spurs for picking up shooting guard Roger Mason, who leads the league in three-point field goal percentage at 47.5 per cent.

MVP —

Lebron James

In perhaps the most obvious mid-season selection, Lebron James has taken his play to yet another level and paced his Cleveland Cavaliers squad to a league-leading record through Saturday’s action. His season averages have remained consistent with prior seasons, at a shade under 28 points per game, yet the overall play of his team and a new-found commitment to defence makes James an MVP frontrunner.

Part of the reason why James’ statistics are modest, by his standards, is that the Cavs have been annihilating the competition by a league-leading 12-point differential and rarely need his services in garbage time. Don’t forget that James has been spiking opponents’ shots like a Brazilian beach volleyball player, and you’ve got a pretty convincing argument for his first of many MVP awards.