Congrats to the city of New Orleans for winning their first NFL Championship. The city of Ohio looks like they are preparing for their 1st NBA Championship. Lebron "the Don" James is going to repeat as league MVP and the Cavs are the front runners right now. Boston is old, L.A. is banged up and Orlando just doesn't get it... on to the rankings.

(1)1. Cleveland(41-11)
Cleveland has won 11 games in a row and sit 30 games over .500 with the best record in all of basketball. In Cleveland's last game, the teams best player scored 47 points, had 8 rebounds, 8 assists, hit 6 threes and had 5 steals against the New York Knicks. Ironically, those same Knicks will do just about ANYTHING to have him sign with them this off-season.

(3)2. Denver(34-17)
With a career high 9 three pointers and 39 points Chauncey Billups led the Denver Nuggets to a convincing victory against the World Champion Lakers. Both Billups and All Star forward Carmelo Anthony missed the next game against the red hot Jazz and Denver fell to 3-6 when Billups does not play. By contrast they are 8-5 when Carmelo Anthony does not play. Hmmmmmmm.

(7)3. Utah(31-18)
Since re-inserting AK47 in the starting lineup Jan. 11Th against Miami, Utah is 11-1. In that stretch they have beaten Cleveland, Denver, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix and Portland twice. WOW!!!

(2)4. LA Lakers(39-13)
The Lakers are a bit banged up and they have not been nearly as sharp as they have been all season. But their demise will not be exaggerated by me. They are still the best team in the NBA, when healthy.

(5)5. Orlando(34-17)
Just when I am ready to write off the Magic (like after an ugly 92-91 loss at home to Washington on Fri. night after being up by 21 points), they turn around and erase an 11 point half time deficit on the road against a playoff contender (96-89 victory at Boston on Sunday) to pull me right back in.

(4)6. Atlanta(32-17)
On Friday night Josh Smith recorded the 2ND triple double of his career (18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists) to help the Hawks beat the upstart Chicago Bulls 91-81.

(6)7. Boston(32-17)
As awful as it appears the Celtics have played this season, they have the 2ND best road record in the NBA at 17-8.

(12)8. Phoenix(31-21)
The Suns have won 5 games in a row and although they have played the most road games in the NBA (28) they are still 10 games over .500 with a more than favorable post All Star break schedule.

(8)9. Dallas(31-19)
I am fully expecting Dallas owner Mark Cuban to be extremely active before the trading deadline. Dallas is all of a sudden looking very average.

(9)10. San Antonio(29-20)
The emergence of George Hill may force the Spurs front office to move one of their more high profile players for a more compatible piece to their championship puzzle. So far the Richard Jefferson move has been a complete disaster.

(11)11. Oklahoma City(29-21)
Following a 3 game losing streak the Thunder have won 5 games in a row. Russell Westbrook flirted with a rare quadruple double in a win Sat. night at Golden State. He finished with 21 points, 10 assists, 8 steals and 7 rebounds.

(10)12. Portland(30-23)
With the injuries mounting quicker than snowfall totals in a blizzard, Andre Miller has picked up his play considerably averaging 18 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists since the new year began.

(14)13. Toronto(28-23)
The Raptors appear to be headed for a 1st round match-up against the Hawks, C's or Magic... Translation 1 and done.

(16)14. Houston(27-23)
So far this month Aaron Brooks is averaging 25.7 ppg, 4.7 apg and 6.0 rpg. He is a big reason the Rockets remain in contention for a playoff spot despite missing 2 franchise players.

(17)15. Chicago(24-25)
The All Star break could not come faster for Bulls center Joakim Noah who was last seen limping around in a walking boot after a procedure to treat the plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

(13)16. Memphis(26-24)
There have been numerous rumors of the Grizzlies shopping dynamic young forward Rudy Gay. With the emergence of Zach Randolph as a (* clears throat)
"leader" this move might not be as outlandish as it seems.

(15)17. Charlotte(24-25)
Three loses in a row in years past would have sent the average Bobcat fan to check out the best possible scenario for the upcoming draft on www.nbadraft.net. Not this year, Captain Jax has changed the culture.

(18)18. New Orleans(27-24)
The Hornets are 2-3 since CP3 went down and rookie Darren Collison is averaging a more than respectable 16.6 ppg and 9.8 apg.

(20)19. Milwaukee(23-26)
In 19 minutes per game this season Jerry Stackhouse is averaging 7 ppg, 2 rpg and 2 apg. I bet most people did not know he has a career average of 18 ppg.

(19)20. Miami(24-27)
With 5 losses in a row the Heat are now tied for the 8Th seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Without Flash Wade this team would be preparing construction for the John Wall section in South Beach.

(21)21. LA Clippers(21-29)
Congrats to Chris Kaman who was selected to replace Brandon Roy on the Western Conference All Star Team.

(24)22. Philadelphia(19-31)
Tracy McGrady recently said he would like to finish this season in Philadelphia. If only this were 10 years ago. Iverson and McGrady on the same roster would have almost certainly punched a ticket to the Finals.

(22)23. New York(19-31)
Is it possible to NOT be a starter, then be a starter, then NOT be a starter again. Oh the wonderful world of D'Antoni's doghouse.

(25)24. Indiana(18-33)
After missing the entire month of Jan. and the first game in Feb. with the infamous DNP/CD, T.J. Ford has played Indiana's last 2 games (a win and a loss) and averaged 15 points 3 rebounds and 4 assists.

(27)25. Detroit(17-32)
With the addition of ChKris Kaman to the All Star team, Detroit's pick (Darko Milicic) is the only player drafted in the top 6 to not make an All Star team. And you know what, it is not even CLOSE.

(23)26. Washington(17-32)
It is being rumored that the Wizards front office is exploring many different options on how to blow the team up. Reportedly everyone is available Bob Barker style: If the Price is Right.

(28)27. Minnesota(13-38)
Corey Brewer has three 20 point games in the Wolves last 6 games. The Wolves are 4-2 in those games and it appears that they are open to moving one of their 2 prized front court players.

(26)27. Sacramento(16-34)
A report from www.cbssportsline.com has the C's offering Ray Allen's expiring contract for Kevin Martin.

(29)29. Golden State(13-38)
Losers of 8 in row and looking for any possible spark, Don Nelson has resorted to inserting Coby Karl into the starting line-up.

(30)30. New Jersey(4-46)
The Nets season can be best summed up in this video: New Jersey's Devin Harris and Jarvis Hayes left the game in the 4Th quarter after colliding at mid-court in Detroit's 99-92 victory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWowxYowOeg

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