1. Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron single-handedly put the Cavs in first this week with BIG blocks at the end of the Lakers, and Thunder games. LeBron James was named as the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the 4th time this season.
2. Los Angeles: Lakers are 10-8 on the road. Swept by the Cavs, and a loss yesterday to Raptors, still 5 games left on this road trip including a back-to-back Boston, Memphis.
3. Boston Celtics: Good win over Roy-Less Blazers, and the return of the “pinto” Kevin Garnett, have the Celtics moving in the right direction. Hawks friday, then Lakers Sunday.
4. Dallas Mavericks: On Sunday they beat the Knicks by 50! 50!
5. Denver Nuggets: 6 straight W’s with Melo hurt, and J.R.Smith tripping.
6. Atlanta Hawks: the first team this season to record 20 double-digit wins. Jamal Crawford is a strong 6th Man of the Year candidate.
7. San Antonio Spurs: Loses to Houston & Utah showed the obvious..Tim Duncan is old, and Richard Jefferson is over-rated
8. Orlando Magic: Great OT win against hot-Bobcats team. Matt Barnes has shown an offensive side, and Vince Carter has become Halfman/Half-Disabled
9. Portland Trailblazers: Nate McMillian is Coach of the Year if Blazers make it to the Playoffs…period!
10. Toronto Raptors: Didn’t let Kobe go for 81 on Sunday, in a convincing win. “I haven’t been this encouraged in a while,” Bosh said. Too bad h is leaving.
11. Phoenix Suns: The Suns are slowly falling back to Earth. 12-15 since Dec.1 and majority of wins against sub-.500 teams. At least two players(Nash,Stoudemire)starting in All-Star Game.
12. Oklahoma City: OKC’s past four losses to the Spurs, Mavs, Griz, Cavs came by a total of five points. Durant still our choice for MVP.
13. Utah Jazz: The Jazz are a season-high seven games over. 500. They just have to keep wearing the “green” throwbacks and they’ll be fine.
14. Memphis Grizzlies: upcoming schedule: Magic and Lakers at home, Spurs and Cavs on the road. If they make it through this torture chamber and they will definitely be moving up.
15. Houston Rockets: Holding on to the last spot by the hairs on Aaron Brooks chin. 4-6 in January. Brooks, Scola, and Landry are only consistent players, more “run” for Budinger would help. Ariza upset he missed out on Lakers trip to White House.
