On Kidd's ego, LeBron's education and K.G.'s excellence: as the halfway point nears, it's time to look at the bests and worsts of a season full of them.(Straight Shooting)(Jason Kidd)(LeBron James)(Kevin Garnett)

With so many bright new faces and intriguing trades, this has been the best of seasons. At the same time, with so many major injuries, with the sad outcome of Alonzo Mourning's comeback attempt, and with Rasheed Wallace's idiotic screed, this also has been the worst of seasons.

ATLANTIC Division

Celtics' best: Coach Jim O'Brien is a good soldier, industrious, flexible and quietly efficient. If Ricky Davis buys into the program, he easily could become a monster scorer and game-changer off the bench. Worst: Paul Pierce takes too many shots and makes too few. Vin Baker's comeback is admirable, but he's still limited, selfish and uninterested in playing ...