| 1. San Antonio Spurs (15-5) | (↑ 4)
The consistency week after week is finally paying off for the Spurs, reeling in the Jazz and the league’s best record. Going ten deep will only benefit them more down the stretch. |
 | 2. Utah Jazz (15-5) | (↑ 1)
The Jazz are still playing some great basketball thanks to Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams but the team’s only former All-Star, Andrei Kirilenko can’t buy a touch on offense. His numbers and minutes look similar to his first two seasons in the NBA. |
 | 3. Phoenix Suns (12-6) | (↑ 6)
Can Steve Nash fit another MVP award in his locker? The Suns are tearing up the league at present and they don’t look like they’re going to slow down until the end of June. You could probably count the number of games they’re going to lose this month with half the fingers on your hand. |
 | 4. Houston Rockets (14-6) | (↑ 2)
The three losses the Rockets have endured since mid-November have been to Detroit, Phoenix and now the Timberwolves, all of whom where in the midst of impressive winning streaks. |
 | 5. LA Lakers (13-6) | (↑ 2)
Is it possible that the Lakers are just as good of a team without Kobe Bryant as they are with him? The Lakers have the league’s most unenviable week, playing the Texas three including Houston twice. |
 | 6. Dallas Mavericks (14-6) | (↓ 5)
With AI rumors at an all-time high, you can’t help but wonder why Dallas would want any part in it apart from the fact that Mark Cuban is himself. Note: Devin Harris will be an All-Star someday…if only Dallas wasn’t so deep. |
 | 7. Detroit Pistons (13-7) | (-)
Chauncey Billups and company had a week to remember. There isn’t another team in the league who could win eight in a row then lose to Charlotte and Portland; never mind beating Dallas and Orlando away in a back-to-back. |
 | 8. Orlando Magic (15-7) | (↓ 6)
As noted last week, Dwight is now 21. Now look at his number which include 18 points per on 61% from the field. Imagine what that would be if he actually had an offensive game. |
 | 9. Cleveland Cavaliers (12-7) | (↑ 1)
Daniel Gibson is playing like a first rounder should be. He’s started twice, the Cavs have won both times he looks like he’s making fellow first rounder Shannon Brown look like a second rounder. There must be a mistake in the records because history lists Gibson being drafted 42nd overall. |
 | 10. Denver Nuggets (11-7) | (↓ 2)
JR Smith is handing out a lot of regret to the NBA’s general managers for Christmas. 17 teams passed him up on draft day, the Hornets questioned his attitude and the Bulls didn’t even take a look at him before trading him. Who needs big men when you have Melo, Earl and Andre. |
 | 11. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-9) | (↑ 9)
Allen Iverson and Kevin Garnett would be a promoter’s dream. As tough as he is, I’d hate to see what all those big trees out west would do to AI if he’s playing them on a daily basis. |
 | 12. LA Clippers (10-9) | (↑ 2)
Only in the western conference can you be above 0.500 and be looking in from the outside. Shaun Livingston is going to be the most hated player in the league before this season is over. Who else teases fans with flashes of his potential often enough to warrant the high draft pick and lofty comparisons coming out of high school but not often enough to fully evade bust status. |
 | 13. Chicago Bulls (10-10) | (↑ 3)
Don’t look now but Luol Deng is fast becoming the best player on the Bulls. 18 on 55% from the field, 6.5 boards, 2 dimes and a combined 2 steals and blocks per. He’s clearly sticking to his strengths because he’s attempted a solitary three point shot all season. |
 | 14. Indiana Pacers (11-11) | (↓ 1)
Larry Bird may be 50 but he’d probably be good enough still to be the second best player on the team. That way, the Pacers wouldn’t be the least interesting team in the league as well. Either that, or they have to get Ron Artest back. |
 | 15. Golden State Warriors (10-10) | (↓ 3)
Monta Ellis is going to give Deron Williams and Kevin Martin a run for their money in the MIP chase whilst Baron Davis is making a strong All-Star claim of his own. The west needs two All-Star teams.
|
 | 16. New Orleans Hornets (9-10) | (↓ 1)
Peja Stojakovic better watch his back; he’s putting up the type of numbers that got him traded from Sacramento. In all fairness, the Kings did get Ron Artest in return. |
 | 17. Seattle Supersonics (9-11) | (↑ 5)
Luke Ridnour is weird. The season he gets his field goal percentage up to the good side of 45%, his free throw percentage takes a 10% hit. |
 | 18. Washington Wizards (9-11) | (↑ 6)
After seeing Caron Butler get some H4L love last week, Gilbert Arenas decided he wanted some too pouring in a ridiculous 37 a night and a Raja Bell-esque 18 treys over four games during the week. So Gil, here’s your H4L love.
|
 | 19. Atlanta Hawks (8-10) | (-)
Josh Smith would be the Andrei Kirilenko of the east if it weren’t for the fact that he’s arguably better than AK now. Josh Smith will pocket a five by five by the season’s end. |
 | 20. Miami Heat (8-11) | (↓ 2)
It’s become a non-issue as to which Florida outfit is the team of the future but if the other DW can get good enough for Shaq to give him a nickname, don’t rule the Heat out of the conversation.
|
 | 21. Sacramento Kings (8-10) | (↓ 10)
The scheduling folks over at NBA HQ haven’t been too kind to the Maloofs this month. Things ease off a little today with Atlanta on the cards but the next week and a half will be crazy enough to make Ron Artest look sane in comparison. |
 | 22. Milwaukee Bucks (8-12) | (↑ 1)
The Bucks are 5-5 over their last ten which makes Central the only respectable division in the east though losing Bobby Simmons for the season isn’t going to help their quest to reach the postseason again. |
 | 23. New York Knicks (8-14) | (↑ 3)
Eddy Curry...Eddy Curry…Eddy Curry. He’s had at least 20 points the last nine games and is trying his best to save Zeke’s job. If only Thomas knew lottery protection on draft picks existed. |
 | 24. Portland Trailblazers (7-14) | (↑ 3)
Three double figure scorers, one of whom has only played five games. It’s a miracle they’ve even won seven games…if you didn’t know it already, just reminding you that Jarrett Jack is awesome. |
 | 25. Toronto Raptors (7-12) | (↓ 4)
Chris Bosh has gone cold. He’s only hit more than half his field goals once since going seven from thirteen way back on November 22. At least he’s still cleaning the glass. |
 | 26. New Jersey Nets (7-12) | (↓ 9)
Somebody please tell Jason Kidd that he’s 33 going on 34. Through the first four games this month, he’s actually averaging a triple double with a mere 2.5 turnovers. The Nets could be under 0.400 and still be the forth seed come playoff time. |
 | 27. Boston Celtics (6-13) | (↓ 2)
It’s not the 42 points he used to average in high school but Big Al dumped 29 and 14 on the Nets in by far his best effort of the year. Rajon Rondo needs some more burn. |
 | 28. Charlotte Bobcats (5-14) | (↑ 2)
Adam Morrison’s hair must be getting so long he can’t see the bucket. He’s hit one field goal in each of the last three games but he’s attempted twenty-six shots over the same stretch. A haircut never hurt anybody. |
 | 29. Memphis Grizzlies (5-15) | (-)
Jerry West needs to pay Vince Young to run this team during the week. VY can keep his normal weekend job… |
 | 30. Philadelphia 76ers (5-14) | (↓ 2)
Last week: Veteran AI is still going on strong ten years after entering the NBA but it’s about time the younger AI was given the keys to the franchise.
This week: Veteran AI is still going on strong ten years after entering the NBA but it’s about time the younger AI was given the keys to the franchise. |
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