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10 Things We Learned From First Half of 2014-15 NBA Season

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By @Greg_Sacidor

10 Things We Learned From First Half of 2014-15 NBA Season

Oklahoma City Thunder v Golden State Warriors
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Despite only being at its halfway point, the 2014-15 NBA season has already been an eventful one. From legends fading to a rookie coach taking the league by storm, here are 10 things we have learned from the first half of the 2014-15 NBA season.

10. Kobe Bryant Is Mortal

Kobe Bryant
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10. Kobe Bryant Is Mortal

Kobe Bryant
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Throughout his career Kobe Bryant has seemed almost immortal, seemingly never missing a step despite playing through a series injuries. A torn Achilles in 2013 and a serious knee injury in 2014 each looked to be the end for Bryant, but both times he came back stronger than ever. Bryant may vow to return next year after his most recent shoulder injury, but with three serious injuries in three years, Bryant’s mortality is now becoming clear.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers May Not Be Ready This Season

Oklahoma City Thunder v Cleveland Cavaliers
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9. Cleveland Cavaliers May Not Be Ready This Season

Oklahoma City Thunder v Cleveland Cavaliers
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Despite LeBron James saying prior to the season that the Cavaliers would not be ready this year, the trio of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and of course James made the Cavs one of the favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals. After numerous struggles throughout the year, the Cavaliers are finally coming together. But just like the Heat in James’ first year there, the Cavs are not quite ready to win an NBA Championship this year.

8. Eastern Conference Is Still Wide Open

Toronto Raptors v Washington Wizards
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8. Eastern Conference Is Still Wide Open

Toronto Raptors v Washington Wizards
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Prior to the 2014-15 NBA season, the Eastern Conference was viewed as wide open. The Cavaliers and Bulls were seen as the two teams most likely to win the conference, but other teams were still in the picture. Halfway through the season and the Eastern Conference seems as wide open as ever. Currently the Hawks, Wizards and Raptors sit atop the conference, but the Cavaliers and Bulls still look like contenders.

7. It Will Be A Long Time Before New York Knicks Are Serious Contenders

New York Knicks
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7. It Will Be A Long Time Before New York Knicks Are Serious Contenders

New York Knicks
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When Phil Jackson was brought in as the president of Knicks, it seemed as though he could turn around the franchise rather quickly. However, this does not appear to be the case any longer. The Knicks may have available cap space this upcoming offseason, but with the train wreck that is going on up there this season, it looks like it will be a long time before Jackson can make the Knicks title contenders again.

6. Boston Celtics Have Best Rebuilding Plan

Boston Celtics Introduce Brad Stevens
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6. Boston Celtics Have Best Rebuilding Plan

Boston Celtics Introduce Brad Stevens
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In the NBA there are several ways to rebuild a franchise. The 76ers are rebuilding by stockpiling second-round picks. The Knicks seem to be rebuilding by making a run at high-priced free agents. The Celtics, however, have quietly developed the best rebuilding plan by collecting first-round picks. Over the next four years, the Celtics will have 13 of these picks. They seem poised to be contenders sooner than these other franchises.

5. Pau Gasol Still Has Plenty In the Tank

Pau Gasol
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5. Pau Gasol Still Has Plenty In the Tank

Pau Gasol
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During his last few seasons with the Lakers, Pau Gasol found himself falling off of the NBA map. Between a lack of touches due to the addition of Dwight Howard and the Lakers being at the bottom of the NBA standings, Gasol became lost in the shuffle. This season with the Bulls, Gasol has had a career resurgence. Averaging 18.3 points and 11.8 boards this year, Gasol is an All-Star for the first time since the 2010-11 season.

4. Mike Budenholzer Is Next Top Coach

Detroit Pistons v Atlanta Hawks
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4. Mike Budenholzer Is Next Top Coach

Detroit Pistons v Atlanta Hawks
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The Atlanta Hawks have so far been one of the biggest surprises of the 2014-15 season. A main reason for this is head coach Mike Budenholzer. As a member of the Gregg Popovich coaching tree, Budenholzer has been able to get his team to play a style similar to Popovich’s Spurs. With Budenholzer experiencing this amount of success in only his second year, it appears as though he is on his way to becoming the next top head coach in the NBA.

3. There Is No Time To Rest In the West

Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Nuggets
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3. There Is No Time To Rest In the West

Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Nuggets
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This season there is no time for rest in the West. The duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have missed a combined 38 games leaving the Thunder’s playoff hopes in doubt. The Spurs have also dealt with multiple injuries causing them to being the No. 7 seed in the West. With the conference as tough as ever, teams in the West can’t afford to take a day off. Just ask LaMarcus Aldridge, who is currently playing through a serious hand injury.

2. Firing Mark Jackson Not As Bad As First Thought

Steve Kerr
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2. Firing Mark Jackson Not As Bad As First Thought

Steve Kerr
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After a quick exit from last year’s playoffs, the Warriors' front office made the unpopular decision to fire head coach Mark Jackson. With players and fans alike questioning them, the front office stuck by their decision and hired rookie head coach Steve Kerr in his place. Despite all of the heat in the offseason, the decision to hire Kerr seems to be paying off as the Warriors are the best team in the West, winning 36 of their first 42 games.

1. NBA Is In Good Hands

NBA 2K15 Uncensored
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1. NBA Is In Good Hands

NBA 2K15 Uncensored
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The future certainly seems bright for the NBA. Whenever the current face of the league, LeBron James, decides to retire (which won’t be for a while), the NBA has plenty of young stars who James can pass the proverbial torch to. This season the NBA has seen the elite emergence of guys like Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis and James Harden (just to name a few), who all will serve well as future face of the league.

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