Many NBA fans tend to think of All-Star Weekend as the midway point of the season, but that's a common misconception. In reality, we are beyond the midway point.
Think of it this way: If the season was represented by the length of an NBA court, we are currently at the part of the floor where Stephen Curry shoots from -- at least a couple feet beyond half court.
Following Thursday's two-game slate, every team in the league will have played between 50 and 55 games, meaning the 82-game regular season is 60 percent complete for all 30 teams and as much as 67 percent finished for some.
In fantasy, this means it is crunch time.
In most leagues, the playoffs start in Week 20 or 21, meaning there are only 3-4 weeks left to make a push to the playoffs or solidify a first-round bye with one of the top seeds.
It isn't time to get cute with far-fetched waiver-wire pickups, or to play the waiting game with injured players, or to expect chronic underperformers to suddenly turn it around.
It's time to bring your best or go home.
Here are a few pointers to help you in the critical weeks ahead: