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Team/Record
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Prev rank/Last wk.
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ESPN.com skinny
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THE BEST |
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1. Lakers 12-1
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1/4-0 |
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Another solid week, and now they have Derek Fisher (right) around to hoist up threes. Will Fisher help? He plus Hunter gives this team all the range it probably needs. Next up for LA: Bucks, Sonics, Wolves, Mavs. |
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2. Wolves 10-2
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3/2-1
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We waited all week for the big game with the Spurs, and the Wolves went and won it easily. Yes, they are for real. And KG hasn't been himself really. |
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3. Bucks 9-1
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4/3-0 |
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George Karl says the team isn't that good. They're 9-1! If they're not that good, then what does that say about the East? Lakers-Bucks Tuesday is big. |
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4. Kings 10-4
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2/2-1
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Was that a Mike Bibby sighting? A whole 11 assists when he's averaging 4? By the way, good going for JDub as he beats his old team. |
| CLOSING IN
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5. Spurs 9-3
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5/2-1
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Duncan has been MVP-like recently, even leading the team in assists in games. Parker's playing more like a two-guard. |
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6. Pistons 9-4
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8/3-2
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The amazing thing is that Ben Wallace, on his third team, is in the top 10 in blocks, rebounds and steals. |
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7. Mavericks 9-5
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9/3-1
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Regrouped after bad stretch, but there remain concerns up front with Howard, Bradley not performing. |
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8. Raptors 9-6
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7/2-2
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Philly came to Canada and got thumped. Think Vince and friends had a little playoff revenge on their minds?
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9. 76ers 7-6
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6/2-1
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Could get Snow back in a few weeks, which means McKie and Harpring share small forward. |
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NOT QUITE FINALS-READY
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10. Nets 9-5
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10/2-2
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Survived the West trip, and Kenyon showed big signs of being the go-to guy. |
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11. Magic 7-8
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13/2-2
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Beat the Wolves, but the big news here is Mike Miller becoming a force. Armstrong becomes sixth man. |
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12. Rockets 7-7
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11/1-2
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Stevie heard a pop. That next sound you hear is the Rockets falling to the lottery. |
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13. Hornets 6-7
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14/2-2
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The Mashburn injury is serious. If you think Lee Nailon's gonna get 20, 5 and 5 every night, seek help. |
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14. Suns 8-7
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15/3-1
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You won't see Bo Outlaw's worth in the stats, but the guy changes the look of this energy-less team. |
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WE'RE NOT CONVINCED
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15. Pacers 8-8
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16/2-2
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Alright, maybe this Tinsley cat can play. Still, they could use Best back. You can't play Tinsley 45 minutes a night for long. |
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16. Celtics 5-6
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12/0-3
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Convinced yet? Lost at home to Hawks, stopped the Wizards' long losing streak. And now Joe Johnson looks average. |
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17. Blazers 7-7
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17/1-2
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If Rasheed's gonna be "the" guy and do special things, he's still not showing it. |
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18. Sonics 7-8
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22/3-1
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Strange stat: Booth returns and blocks a shot in only one of four games; but he goes 18-for-18 at the line? |
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19. Knicks 7-8
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23/3-1
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Revolving door continues: Camby's back, Spoon's out, Spree wants out, Ward wants in. Hard to keep track. |
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HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE... |
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20. Warriors 7-7
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19/1-2
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If the season ended today ... playoffs! Who knows, if Antawn's happy, and Fortson stays healthy... |
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21. Nuggets 6-8
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18/0-3
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Well, they played the Lakers twice. What did you expect? But hey, Van Exellent leads league in scoring! |
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22. Jazz 5-9
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20/1-2
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Lost two OT games at home. Have now lost five games at home, which says something bad. |
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23. Clippers 6-8
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21/1-3
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There are rumors a trade is coming, with one of the kids (Miles? Maggette?) for someone who can legally drink. |
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24. Hawks 5-10
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24/2-3
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With Mohammed going in the tank and 'Reef taking the center minutes, they really need Ratliff back fast. |
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JUST HORRIBLE (& THE MJ SECTION)
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25. Cavaliers 4-10
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25/2-1
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Beat Memphis and Miami, teams with three wins combined at the time. Wesley Person played himself into trade bait last week. |
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26. Grizzlies 2-11
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27/1-3
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It all changes in one night: The 10-3 Kings come to town and lose. Or was it all JDub momentum? |
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27. Wizards 3-9
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28/1-2
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Is any player more inconsistent than Laettner? Scoreless one game, 13 of 17 the next? Just what a lottery team needs. |
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28. Heat 2-10
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26/0-3
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Print this one out: A Riley team is so bad we deem only one other outfit worse? And yeah, Brian Grant will really help. |
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29. Bulls 1-11
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29/0-2
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Is Brad Miller (16 and 9) an all-star? Don't laugh, someone has to contribute to their embarrassing 82 ppg. |
