The likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzon Mourning, Chris Webber, Grant Hill, Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant, along with Vince Carter from the 1998 draft, now stand poised to leave an indelible mark on their sport.

Usually All-Star Games don't matter much. Funny though how no one seemed to mention that to the Eastern and Western Conference players before tip-off on Sunday. In addition to good defense and emotion, the NBA stars provided the fans with a game to remember.

Led by Allen 'The Answer' Iverson, the East squad came from 21 points behind with eight minutes left in the game to win a thrilling 111-110 match-up. Kobe Bryant and Stephon Marbury went mano a mano in the last minute. Finally Dikembe Mutumbo forced the Lakers sensation into an awkward pass to Tim Duncan with just seconds remaining, and his desperate last second shot was blocked by Vince Carter to end the game.

What is perhaps more exciting than the All-Star Game (and the Bulls' pathetic 6-42 record) though, is the second half of the season and the potential playoff match-ups in store. A Knicks and Sixers conference final series looks likely, and will no doubt be a classic. New York in the playoffs is electrifying (see numerous close games, brawls, and psychological wars waged by feisty coaches).

The real marquee match-ups will come in the Western Conference though. The Blazers, Lakers, Spurs, and Kings are all bona fide threats to winning the crown, and most likely will face off against one another come the conference semifinals and finals. Yet teams like the Mavericks, Suns, Jazz, and T-Wolves will all provide entertaining first-round series that will dwarf any potential excitement generated in the Eastern Conference's first two rounds.

Whatever materializes these next four months, one thing is certain. Despite those who say the future of the NBA is on shaky ground, the league has a secure foundation of talent and appeal that will carry it successfully over this decade and beyond.

For sure it faces challenges, such as confronting the loss of it's most marketable and recognizable star ever, as well as high school kids and college freshmen forgoing an opportunity to improve their games, and instead entering the draft and diluting the NBA.