But other than that, all is well. Big movers this week include the Nets and Blazers, while there's a new last-place squad again. If the Grizzlies beat Utah on Tuesday, well, you were warned. And this week the comments are all first-half good and ugly.
Team/Record
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Prev rank/ Last week
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First-half good/bad
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CLOSE AT THE TOP |
1. Kings 36-11
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1/3-1 |
Good: With Webber out Mr. Stojakovic took off. And he hasn't landed yet. Bad: What can go wrong when you're 36-11? OK, maybe we thought Bibby would get more than 5 assists per night, but why quibble. |
2. Lakers 33-12
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4/4-0
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Good: Well, Shaq and Kobe are still pretty good, even though they aren't leading the league in scoring. And Fisher has been steady. Bad: However, only Samaki Walker, of the newcomers, has helped much. Apparently Mitch Richmond really is shot. |
3. Nets 32-14
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5/3-0
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Good: They're the No. 3 team at the break. Man, that's not just good, it's unheard of. And Jason Kidd is no Stephon Marbury, that's for sure. MVP! Bad: Nothing. Incredible health (especially for this franchise) and great teamwork. Maybe Mr. Kidd could shoot better, but how can anyone complain. |
4. Mavericks 33-14
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2/1-2
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Good: With Finley's ironman streak ending, Dirk and Nash have become among the tops at their positions. Bad: One big man. That's all. But Shawn Bradley can't play. At all. And Juwan hasn't exactly lit it up. |
5. Spurs 31-16
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6/2-3 |
Good: This is the year Tim Duncan became the 25-ppg guy we knew he could be. Bad: This is also the year David Robinson fights to score double digits and play in fourth quarters. |
6. Wolves 32-16
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3/1-4
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Good: While KG remains great, Wally Szczerbiak and shooting guard were apparently a match made in heaven. Bad: Terrell Brandon said in preseason he didn't want to start. While his passing remains stellar, his knees aren't holding up. |
CHALLENGERS TO THE THRONE
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7. Raptors 28-20
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8/2-1
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Good: Statistically, not much. Numbers and shooting are down for key players, except Keon Clark. Bad: So Antonio Davis wants to play power forward? Ugh. |
8. 76ers 24-23
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10/2-2
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Good: Admit it, you thought Derrick Coleman and Matt Harpring at forward was a joke. Bad: Injuries made for a brutal start in November. They're still catching up. |
9. Bucks 27-18
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9/1-2
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Good: Three guys are scoring over 20 a night, and Michael Redd is definitely a contributor. Bad: Anthony Mason doesn't like his role, there's no semblance of a big man and everyone hates the coach (and coach Karl hates everybody). |
10. Celtics 27-20
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7/1-3
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Good: Fantastic scoring duo with Pierce and Walker, mainly Pierce scoring more and Antoine sharing more. Bad: Nobody else scores in double figures, and none of the rookies are playing key roles now.
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11. Blazers 25-21
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14/3-1
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Good: Good? In Portland? Bonzi and Ruben have been good. Oh wait, we got one. Only one ejection for Rasheed. Way to go, Rasheed! Bad: Derek Anderson for Steve Smith looked good at the time. |
JORDAN SECTION
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12. Wizards 24-21
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13/3-1
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Good: They've won more games than last year. Already. And Jordan is good, still. Bad: While Rip has stepped up, Courtney Alexander has not. And was Ty Lue worth it? |
NOT REALLY HORRIBLE |
13. Jazz 25-23
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15/2-1
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Good: The ageless wonders have been as good as last year, and Donyell and Kirilenko have been surprises. Bad: Bryon Russell and John Amaechi are making it tough to justify their contracts. |
14. Magic 24-24
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12/1-2
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Good: Not much, really. Mike Miller has stepped up, but it's been a down year. Bad: Hill got hurt (again), Armstrong is clearly tired (again) and Ewing and Ho Grant look really old (yet again). |
15. Clippers 24-25
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16/2-2
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Good: The Brand trade was a total robbery. Embarrassing. Bad: Until winning at Dallas and the Spurs last week (that's hard to believe), they were 3-15 on the road. Now they're 5-17. Tough to avoid the lottery this way. |
16. Sonics 23-23
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11/0-3
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Good: Payton looks rejuvenated, Lewis has a nice future and Baker has made himself tradeable again (even with that contract). Bad: Calvin Booth can't stay healthy. And they really needed him. |
17. Heat 18-28
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19/3-0
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Good: A few players from the scrap heap (Rod Strickland, Jim Jackson) have been key in Heat doubling season win total in past month. Bad: That Bulls-like start. Also, all the Riley backlash. |
18. Pistons 24-21
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18/3-1
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Good: Ben Wallace is among league leaders in blocks, boards and steals. And Stackhouse is sharing more. Bad: Still have problems at the point, and after great start, we see why Suns dealt Clifford for nothing. |
19. Pacers 25-24
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17/2-1
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Good: The meteoric rise of Jermaine O'Neal to All-Star status. And stealing rookie Jamaal Tinsley. Bad: Jalen takes a big step backward. |
20. Hornets 23-23
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21/3-0
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Good: Baron should have been an All-Star. Bad: Where to begin? Mashburn's played nine games, nobody else has really stepped up and New Orleans thinks its getting the team. |
21. Suns 24-23
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20/3-1
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Good: Shawn Marion has a very solid career ahead of him. Bad: Stephon and Penny are selfish players. Yeah, they have some decent stats, but something's missing. Oh, it's called passion. |
ONE WORD: LOTTERY
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22. Knicks 18-27
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22/1-2
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Good: Well, nothing, unless you're Jeff Van Gundy. He made a very smart decision. Bad: From the offseason moves to Camby's health, it's ugly. |
23. Rockets 16-32
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24/2-2
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Good: Surprisingly a few things. Francis is an All-Star, Eddie Griffin has amazing raw talent and Cato and Thomas can be counted on. Bad: Team is 1-19 when Francis doesn't play. Stevie's migraine problem is a big concern. |
24. Hawks 15-32
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25/1-3
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Good: Shareef and Terry have been fine, but nothing else has worked out. Bad: The Shareef-Gasol trade can be questioned, Ratliff and Kukoc are damaged goods and that point guard they needed was dealt to Indy (Tinsley). |
25. Nuggets 13-31
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23/0-2
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Good: Let us know when you find something. Bad: Two words: Dan Issel. |
MAKE US CRINGE |
26. Cavaliers 14-32
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29/1-2
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Good: League leader in assists is not Jason Kidd; it's Andre Miller. Now get him some help! Bad: Pretty much everyone around him. And rookie Diop has played 65 minutes. |
27. Bulls 10-36
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27/1-3
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Good: Well, they beat the 1973 Sixers already. Let's rejoice. Bad: Eddie Robinson's health has been disappointing, and the rookies? Don't ask. |
28. Warriors 14-31
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26/0-3
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Good: Fortson might win the rebounding title, and Jason Richardson might be better than Hughes. Bad: The way this Marc Jackson thing has been handled, on all sides, is an embarrassment to this and any league. |
29. Grizzlies 13-34
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28/0-3
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Good: A lot. The top two rookies in the league in Gasol and Battier, for starters. And attendance has been OK. Bad: Original backcourt has either been hurt (Dickerson, 4 games total) or erratic (JDub).
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