NBA at the break

On Tuesday night "the second half of the season" will begin for NBA teams.

Well, at least that's what many players, fans and media members call it, since that's when games start up again following the All-Star break. Actually, though, the second half of the season began weeks ago, as league teams have all already played 50 or more of their 82 regular-season games. The stretch run for playoff positioning — and draft lottery ball collection — is what will start this week.

Still, the break for today's All-Star Game in Phoenix is a good chance for a midseason look at what's happened so far during the 2008-09.

There is still plenty of time for things to change drastically, but for now, here's a list of the leading candidates for the NBA awards:

MVP — LeBron James, Cleveland

Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard are having outstanding campaigns as well, but this is James' award to lose. LeBron, simply, is the best player in the world right now. He scores, he passes, he rebounds, and he's playing the best defense of his career as well. James is neck-and-neck with Wade for the scoring title, averaging 28.5 points per game, but he's also averaging more than seven rebounds and seven assists per game — and his team is one of the top three in the NBA. Barring injury or a complete collapse by the Cavs, James will win his first — of what will no doubt be several during his career — Maurice Podoloff Trophy.

Rookie of the Year — Derrick Rose, Chicago

Rose got out of the gate fast and is still the slight favorite for this award, but Memphis guard O.J. Mayo is on his heels, with Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook making a late push.

Rose is a scorer, averaging 17 points on 47 percent shooting from the field, and he's also dishing out 6.3 assists per game, but the Bulls have been one of the NBA's biggest disappointments this year. Mayo (19.3 ppg) and Westbrook (15 ppg, 4.9 apg) play on even worse teams, but they are on teams that are supposed to be bad so that won't hurt them as much.

People talk about "the rookie wall," and it will be interesting to see which of these three hit it the hardest. For now, Chicago's Rose is still blooming enough for him to be considered the top rookie.

Defensive Player of the Year — Dwight Howard, Orlando

Howard would be a prime MVP candidate in another year when LeBron James wasn't lapping everybody. But winning the award as the best defender would be a nice consolation prize for the Magic's talented young center.