The NBA Trade deadline has passed and the Dallas Mavericks were the biggest winners getting two impact starters to improve their team defensively. The Mavs are 3-1 since acquiring Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood and appear poised to challenge the Lakers and the Nuggets for Western Conference supremacy. The once unbeatable Cavs traded for former All Star swingman Antawn Jamison in hopes strengthening their title hopes. They have taken several steps back however (0-2 when Jamison plays), and have their first 3 game losing streak in 2 years… on to the rankings.

(1)2. LA Lakers(42-14)
The Lakers are 4-1 without Kobe in the line-up and the ONLY loss being a 1 point defeat at the hands of the resurgent Boston Celtic team.

(2)1. Cleveland(43-14)
Prior to the Cavs 3 game losing streak they won 14 games in a row. Shaq is no longer impacting wins and losses.

(3)3. Utah(36-19)
The Jazz have been one of the hottest teams in ALL of the NBA. They have won 18 of 21 games and are right on the heels of the Nuggets for the 2nd seed in the Western Conference.

(4)8. Dallas(35-21)
Dirk Nowitzki has scored 23, 28, 24 and 28 points in the last 4 games and Jason Kidd has made 12 of 26 three point field goals in that same stretch. Expect the Mavs to have a strong say in the outcome of the Western Conference.

(5)3. Denver(37-19)
In the last 5 games the Nuggets are 3-2 which is not so bad. But one of the losses was to the lowly Washington Wizards and the other to the lifeless Spurs.

(6)5. Orlando(38-19)
The Magic continue to own the Cavs. They held Lebron James to 1 fourth quarter field goal and won 101-95 in Orlando.

(7)6. Boston(35-19)
The Lakers are the ONLY team in the NBA with less road losses (9) than the Celtics (10). Expect Nate Robinson to have an immediate impact as backup point guard to Rajon Rondo. As a matter of fact do not be surprised if he is closing out games.

(8)11. Oklahoma City(33-21)
Kevin Durant has scored 25 or more points in 27 straight games. You have to go back to the late 80's to find a streak that long. KD is my choice for NBA MVP so far.

(9)12. Phoenix(34-23)
Since NOT trading Ama're at the deadline, the Suns are 2-0 and Stoudemire is averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds.

(10)4. Atlanta(34-20)
To say rookie PG Stephan Curry outplayed Mike Bibby Sunday night is kind of an understatement. Curry finished with 32 points, 9 rebounds and shot 13-18 from the field. Bibby meanwhile had 3 points on 1-6 shooting. Ouch!!!

(11)10. Portland(32-26)
Marcus Camby's rental for the rest of the season is off to a rocky start. The Blazers are 0-2 and Camby is averaging a mere 2 points per game.

(12)17. Chicago(29-26)
Since the trade of John Salmons to clear some salary and the dumping of disgruntled Ty Thomas, Rookie Taj Gibson is averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds per game.

(13)9. San Antonio(31-23)
Tony Parker has foot and hip issues that may cause him to miss an extended period of time. S.A. is currently in the 7th spot and may fall right out of the playoff race which prior to the season was unimaginable.

(14)14. Toronto(31-24)
Team leader Chris Bosh is nursing a sore ankle and has missed the teams last 2 games. The Raps won both games but the teams they beat have combined to go 24-85.

(15)18. New Orleans(30-26)
David West is averaging 20.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 4.7 apg since the All Star break. The Hornets are 3-1 and are 1 game out of the 8th seed in the Western Conference playoff race.

(16)15. Charlotte(27-27)
Tyrus Thomas is averaging 10 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks per game as a Bobcat. He may be the missing piece to their playoff push. They are 2-0 with him on the roster.

(17)19. Miami(29-28)
Flash Wade is injured but the resilient Heat have won 2 of 3 without their leader. I do not expect that to continue but the good news out of Miami is that he is out of his walking boot.

(18)16. Houston(28-27)
Trading for Kevin Martin may prove to be fool’s gold. He is averaging only 13 points per game in about 30 minutes but the team is 0-2 and giving up over 110 ppg in the process.

(19)20. Milwaukee(26-28)
John Salmons has scored 19 points in each Buck game and has made decisive plays in the 4th quarter that led to wins. He may just have enough of an impact to lead Milwaukee to the 8th seed in the EAST. We all saw what he was able to do with an explosive rookie PG last season.

(20)13. Memphis(28-27)
Memphis is 3-6 in February and have fallen faster than credit card interest rates. Inconsistent back court play has been the bane of their playoff existence.

(21)21. LA Clippers(22-33)
Baron Davis is taking his annual "trip" to the IR with the undiagnosable "back problem".

(22)24. Philadelphia(21-34)
The Sixers are 6.5 games out from the 8th seed and should really think about what direction they are going to head in. Just about everyone on the roster was made available during the trading deadline and it resulted in nothing.

(23)27. Detroit(20-35)
Joe Dumars prized off season pick-ups Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva are BOTH averaging less ppg than they did when they were rookies. NICE!!!

(24)23. Washington(19-34)
The Wizards traded their best eligible players and set up an opportunity to snatch a coveted free agent to play alongside Gunslinger Arenas and Hennessey Howard.

(25)22. New York(19-35)
Tracy McGrady looked a little 2001-ish for 3 quarters in his debut… and looked like the EXACT same T-Mac his career has dictated in the 4th quarter and overtime. No surprise the Knicks lost that game.

(26)25. Indiana(19-36)
Danny Granger will miss Monday night’s game due to personal reasons. Let us hope everything is ok.

(27)29. Golden State(16-39)
Stephan Curry is averaging 20 points, 8.3 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game since the All Star break and the Warriors are 2-2 in those games.

(28)26. Sacramento(18-38)
Ty Evans is averaging 4.0 turnovers per game since the All Star break and the Kings have lost 4 in a row. The rookie of the year candidate has endured just about everything possible a superstar can ever endure.

(29)28. Minnesota(13-44)
Al Jefferson has recently come out and said he is not fully healed from last season’s surgery. I would say he is right on the money. Last season he averaged 23 and 11. This season it is 17 and 9.

(30)30. New Jersey(5-51)
New Jersey beat the Bobcats in the 1st game after the All Star break and appeared to be onto something with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez leading the way. Since then they are 0-3… go figure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWowxYowOeg

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