The All-Star festivities take over New York this weekend as the biggest names in the NBA compete in a series of events leading up to Sunday's game between the best from the East and West.
Although the players involved will be expected to put on an exciting show of exhibition basketball, the All-Star break gives most players and coaches the chance to recharge the batteries before the league's schedule resumes next Thursday.
There promises to be plenty of twists and turns in the closing stages of the regular season ahead of the playoffs, but in recent weeks the drama has continued to unfold to bring up new questions.
Below, Sports Mole takes a look at some of the key storylines as the teams approach the business end of the season.
1. The Cavs will be contenders
Fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers will tell you that the team were always challengers for the title with the big three of LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving coming together last summer, and many expect them to be in contention when the playoffs eventually arrive. However, the road to finding top form has not been an easy trip for David Blatt and his side.
For the first few months of the season, the problems were clear. James didn't appear to be taking control of games in the same way he had done during his title-winning seasons with the Miami Heat, Love was finding it tough to adjust to life in Cleveland and Irving looked to be struggling with his new role alongside the aforementioned four-time MVP.
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However, 2015 has brought success, and the Cavaliers now look a very different side. A period out to recover from a few injury problems has reinvigorated James, who is back to performing at his best every night, and he once again deserves to be in the MVP discussion. Irving has joined the leader of the franchise in hitting a hot streak. The point guard's ability to score has never been in question, but his explosive displays and improved game management are a big reason behind a run of 14 wins in 16 games. In truth, Love is still not at his best, but his ability to deliver the goods at both ends of the court means that he will be a key man in the playoffs.
Blatt was reported to have lost the confidence of players just over a month ago, but he looks to be the leader this team needs as they attempt to deliver the title the Cavs fans are desperate to enjoy. A couple of clever trades to recruit Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert and JR Smith has added much-needed depth, and suddenly, Cleveland look like the challengers they should be.
2. Atlanta show no signs of stopping
Take a quick look at the standings and this statement will hardly be a shock to anyone, but we've seen top seeds in both conferences hit the wall in the playoffs in previous years. However, there is certainly a feeling that no other teams look better prepared for a title challenge than the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors.
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Even in an Eastern Conference which was labelled weak by almost every expert before the season, very few would have expected the Hawks to be dominating at the top of the standings. Mike Budenholzer used last season to introduce his system to a roster which had the talent, but perhaps not the experience of big matches, to contend for a title. A loss to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs came as no surprise, but it was the start of something special.
Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap, Al Horford and Kyle Korver know their respective roles, and they are efficient every night. A team without any of the biggest names in the league now has four All-Stars heading to New York, and their selfless style and experience off the bench means they will be tough for anyone to beat when the playoffs arrive. Fans from Chicago, Cleveland and other cities will be confident of stopping the Hawks charge, but it could be Atlanta who ride the momentum all the way to the finals.
3. Harden vs. Curry
Do not write off LeBron James. If the Cavaliers star is named MVP for the fifth time in his career, we shouldn't be shocked. He's been in fine form, especially since returning from an injury layoff, and his performances for Cleveland in recent weeks means that he certainly deserves to be in the discussion.
However, when the sports writers and broadcasters come to decide who should be named the NBA's best player of the season, we could be set to crown a new, younger king. Stephen Curry and James Harden are certainly the leading candidates for the award, and in truth, both men would be worthy winners in a season which has seen a number of players reach new heights in a league packed with stars.
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Curry has always had the talent. The point guard possesses a shot that other players can only dream of, and he destroys teams on a nightly basis with his superb work from beyond the three-point perimeter and skill in the paint. The 26-year-old is now in his sixth season as an NBA player, and despite seeing his points average decline from last year, there's no doubt that he's a more accomplished competitor on the court.
Under Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who replaced Mark Jackson last summer, Curry appears to be embracing the role of team leader and face of the franchise. He comes up big for the team when it matters, and has the enviable ability to make others around him play better. If it's not this season, Curry will probably get another chance to be MVP, but his eye will be on bringing the title back to Oakland.
Harden was a luxury player during his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The guard was an excellent member of the team, winning Sixth Man of the Year in 2012, but with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant taking up plenty of money on the roster, Harden's departure was inevitable.
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The Houston Rockets took the chance on Harden and built a new team around him, and he's vindicated their decision by scoring with apparent ease to turn the side into genuine contenders once again. If the last two seasons have been impressive, his third campaign in Texas has been incredible. The 25-year-old is averaging an NBA-best 27.4 points per game, as well as adding more assists to his game. Perhaps most impressive is his improvement on the defensive end. His critics have always pointed to his struggles at the other end of the court, but he now looks like the complete player many knew he could become. MVP quality? Without a doubt, but James, Curry and possibly Anthony Davis will push him hard. For the first season in a long time, it's not a one-horse race.
