The Times’ NBA rankings
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| RANKINGS, COMMENTS THROUGH SATURDAY |
| IN LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN(?) | |
| 1. Cleveland (41-11) | Way LeBron’s going, Kobe should be flattered just to be compared to him. (1) |
| BEST OF THE REST | |
| 2. Lakers (39-13) | Remember hunger? Nuggets have it. Lakers waiting for room service. (2) |
| 3. Denver (34-17) | Billups, supposedly washed up at 31, averaging 24 since Jan. 1 at 33. (4) |
| 4. Orlando (33-17) | Carter’s game still missing. Jameer Nelson tweaks sore knee again. (3) |
| 5. Atlanta (32-17) | Johnson, Horford give them two All-Stars for first time since 1998. (5) |
| 6. Boston (32-16) | Amid reports of imminent demise, they go 3-0 after loss to Lakers. (6) |
| 7. Utah (31-18) | Just went 10-1. Millsap, starting for Boozer, has 32-25-12 in last three. (8) |
| 8. Dallas (31-19) | Nowitzki benched for being late, doesn’t start, in loss at home to Minnesota. (7) |
| 9. Phoenix (31-21) | They’re back? Amid reports Amare leaving any day now, went 4-0 -- on road. (18) |
| 10. San Antonio (29-20) | 2-1 on Rodeo Trip, just blew 11-point fourth-quarter lead in Portland. (9) |
| FIRST ROUND OR BUST | |
| 11. Okla. City (29-21) | Since ’87 only MJ, AI have longer streaks of scoring 25 than Durant’s 24. (13) |
| 12. Portland (30-23) | Nate McMillan for coach of year: 7-7 in games without Roy, Oden, Przybilla. (10) |
| 13. Houston (27-23) | Still no one to overlook: Just went into Memphis, beat hot Grizzlies by 18. (16) |
| 14. Toronto (27-23) | Now 16-6 since 11-17 start, highest-scoring team in East at 104 a game. (14) |
| 15. Memphis (26-24) | Gay, restricted free agent, isn’t going anywhere now, but summer’s possible. (12) |
| 16. Charlotte (24-25) | Small fry no longer, went 3-3 on West Coast trip with win in Phoenix. (17) |
| 17. Milwaukee (23-26) | East race back on: Bucks 3½ games out of No. 8 last week, one out Friday. (20) |
| 18. Chicago (24-25) | Welcome back: Rose becomes first All-Star since Michael Jordan in 1998. (15) |
| 19. Miami (24-27) | Oops: Bucks’ win in Miami bodes poorly for making playoffs, keeping Wade. (19) |
| 20. New Orleans (27-24) | Seeking new level with vengeance with Paul out for month, just went 1-4. (11) |
| EARLY ENTRANTS, JOHN WALL DERBY | |
| 21. Clippers (21-29) | Hadn’t offed a coach in so long, apparently forgot how. (21) |
| 22. New York (19-31) | Team that passed up Jennings and Lawson now starts former exile Nate Robinson. (22) |
| 23. Indiana (18-33) | If not Jamison, Cavaliers eye Murphy as power forward who can spread floor. (25) |
| 24. Washington (17-32) | Jamison: “After what we’ve been through, trade talk is like rocks in a pond.” (27) |
| 25. Sacramento (16-33) | Jason Thompson, who averaged 17-9 in December, at 9-8 since. (23) |
| 26. Detroit (17-32) | Sounds familiar: Wilcox benched for rookie Jerebko to get more energy. (26) |
| 27. Philadelphia (19-31) | Fans decry “Three-Ed Monster” -- owner Snider, GM Stefanski, Coach Jordan. (24) |
| 28. Minnesota (13-38) | Another Bruin shall lead them? Just went 4-0 starting Ryan Hollins over Love. (29) |
| 29. Golden State (13-36) | Nellie Alert: Anything can happen after seven losses in row, 18 of last 25. (28) |
| BLACK HOLE OF JERSEY | |
| 30. New Jersey (4-46) | If over-under for win No. 5 is two weeks, it’s now 10 days since win No. 4. (30) |
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