Nobody would be surprised if you told them that team with the best record in the NBA resides in Los Angeles.
But it's the Clippers and not the Lakers.
That's hard to believe. But it's been that kind of crazy year in L.A., where the one-time laughingstock franchise has replaced the NBA's perennial powerhouse as the team to beat out West. The best player in town? It's not Kobe Bryant or Dwight Howard or any other Laker, but the Clippers' MVP candidate Chris Paul.
Not that we can see it ever happening, but if Phil Jackson is eyeing a return, his best chance to win another title in Los Angeles would be with the Clippers. Crazy, right?
Here's how we see the NBA, from top to bottom:
1. L.A. Clippers (28-8) - Last Week: 1
The best sign of the season was unveiled at Staples Center the other night when the West-leading Clippers defeated the Mavs. It read: "Lakers - will play for food."
2. Oklahoma City (27-8) - LW: 2
It must be the water: The Thunder lost in Washington, D.C., to the Wizards for the second straight season. That must kill D.C. native Kevin Durant just a little bit.
3. San Antonio (28-10) - LW: 3
After barely sending the Lakers to their fifth straight loss, the Spurs step up in class, playing the Grizzlies twice over the next five days.
4. Miami (23-11) - LW: 4
LeBron James' streak of scoring at least 20 points ended at 54 games when he managed only 15 vs. Portland in Miami's two-point defeat, sending the Heat's road record to a troubling 7-8.
5. Memphis (23-10) - LW: 7
There are new owners and a new front office in place and so Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph are available for the right price.
6. Golden State (22-12) - LW: 5
Coming off two straight losses to the Clippers and Memphis, the Warriors are on their first losing streak since dropping games against the Lakers and Denver on Nov. 9-10.
7. Knicks (23-12) - LW: 6
Having served his one-game suspension for losing his cool and trying to get at Kevin Garnett after the game, Carmelo Anthony is back Friday at the Garden versus the Bulls, just the kind of team 'Melo hates to face. They're physical and aggressive.
8. Indiana (22-14) - LW: 9
The Pacers think they've turned the corner, so much so that they rewarded coach Frank Vogel with a new contract.
9. Portland (20-15) - LW: 13
Including their win over the Heat on Thursday, the Blazers are red-hot, going 12-3 in their last 15. This killer six-day stretch continues with games vs. Golden State, Oklahoma City and Denver.
10. Houston (21-15) - LW: 10
The Rockets hit Boston's parquet on Friday winners of 10 of their last 13 games, but coming in off a bad loss in New Orleans, where they suffered their 12th straight road defeat versus a Southwest Division rival.
11. Denver (21-16) - LW: 12
The best game of the current four-game home-stand comes Sunday vs. Golden State.
12. Chicago (19-14) - LW: 11
Derrick Rose is just about ready to play for the first time since blowing out an ACL in the playoff opener vs. Philly last spring, but the Bulls need to decide when.
13. Nets (20-15) - LW: 14
P.J. is looking good. That's P.J. Carlesimo, who has the Nets on a roll since they bounced Avery Johnson, and not Phil Jackson, who claims he's staying retired.
14. Atlanta (20-14) - LW: 8
That team meeting the Hawks recently held didn't exactly do the trick, as they've lost five of their last six games to fall out of third place in the East.
15. Boston (18-17) - LW: 20
Kevin Garnett might not be the same player he was years ago, but he still talks trash with the best of 'em.
16. Utah (19-18) - LW: 17
They're back over .500, but without their two Williams - Marvin and Mo - no one knows how long that will last.
17. Minnesota (16-16) - LW: 15
The T-wolves chances of making the playoffs took a big hit when Kevin Love re-broke his hand, forcing him out until perhaps late March after a round of surgery earlier this week.
18. Milwaukee (18-16) - LW: 16
Scott Skiles had enough with his two me-first guards, Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings. So now the backcourt is interim coach Jim Boylan's headache.
19. Toronto (13-22) - LW: 21
By winning eight of their last 10, the Raptors are slowly making their move to get out of the Atlantic Division basement.
20. Lakers (15-20) - LW: 19
At this rate, Kobe Bryant will be at home watching the playoffs. Their five-game road losing streak is their longest since March 2007.
21. Philadelphia (15-22) - LW: 18
It's all falling apart for Doug Collins, as the Sixers' record since the start of December is 5-16, including a 2-12 road record.
22. Dallas (14-23) - LW: 22
Don't you just love it when Mark Cuban complains about the officiating? It means we know he's still alive.
23. Phoenix (12-25) - LW: 23
The Suns arrive in Brooklyn Friday as easy marks for the Nets: Eleven straight road losses and a 2-16 record on the road.
24. Detroit (13-23) - LW: 26
London fans can't wait to see one of their own, Ben Gordon, playing for the Pistons when they take on the Knicks next week. Oops. That's right, Gordon no longer is a Piston.
25. Sacramento (13-23) - LW: 25
Seattle fans are so starved for an NBA team, they're falling all over themselves to get the Kings. You can't be any more desperate than that.
26. Orlando (12-23) - LW: 24
Shaq who? Dwight who? The Magic's new big man, Nikola Vucevic, has averaged 17.2 rebounds in his last five games, although he can't stop this 10-game losing streak.
27. Charlotte (9-25) - LW: 27
Our deepest condolences to Mike Dunlap, whose Bobcats play 11 of their next 18 games on the road until the All-Star break. Then again, the 'Cats have lost 12 straight at home, so the road doesn't
look so bad.
28. Cleveland (9-28) LW: 28
Rookie Dion Waiters has shown the need to dominate the ball, but the Cavs already have Kyrie Irving to do that. Not a good mix.
?
29. New Orleans (10-25) - LW: 29
Eric Gordon has finally returned from knee problems and made an impact late in the Hornets' season-highlight win over the Spurs.
30. Washington (5-28) - LW: 30
Stop the presses: John Wall is actually expected to play for the first time this season on Saturday vs. Atlanta. That means the Wizards have a shot to get to 10 wins this season.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nydnrss/sports/~3/UyMMwR1Xlas/story01.htm
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