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Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant cheers from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. (Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press / February 9, 2013) |
YEAR OF THE DRAGON
1. OKLAHOMA CITY (38-12) Resting Durant, Westbrook combine for 0 points this week in 4th quarters. (1)
2. MIAMI (33-14) LeBron James is so good, he makes even the fans around him better. (2)
3. SAN ANTONIO (39-12) Winning streak that goes to 11 and ends there approved by Nigel Tufnel. (3)
4. CLIPPERS (35-17) Trey Thompkins’ feelings hurt by reports that team is back to full strength. (4)
A TIGER CAN BE A MATCH FOR THE DRAGON
5. NEW YORK (32-16) Knicks ask to be stranded in Minneapolis so they can keep playing T-Wolves. (5)
6. DENVER (33-18) Homecourt edge in playoffs would equal a bye, goodbye to foes. (11)
7. MEMPHIS (31-18) Unlike post office, Grizzlies keep delivering on Saturdays at FedEx Forum. (7)
8. GOLDEN STATE (30-21) Warriors’ slide reminds fans of pretty much every season in franchise history. (6)
9. INDIANA (31-20) Green to participate in dunk contest, remind rest of NBA he’s still here. (9)
10. CHICAGO (30-20) Rose’s return is so big in this town it warrants a two-word press release. (8)
11. BROOKLYN (29-21) It may not be long before Blatche is booed on the road and at home. (10)
12. ATLANTA (27-22) Defense against Vasquez is grievous as Hornets guard gets triple-double. (12)
SNAKES STILL SLITHERING AROUND
13. UTAH (28-24) Jazz can’t win big with Carlos Boozer or, apparently, without him. (13)
14. BOSTON (26-23) League’s elite point guards want Celtics to stay mum about recent run. (17)
15. MILWAUKEE (25-24) Boylan learning what Scott Skiles already knows: This team isn’t all that. (14)
16. HOUSTON (28-24) NASA petitions Defense Dept. to send representatives to help Rockets. (15)
17. PORTLAND (25-25) Just as everyone expected, Trail Blazers holding off Lakers in playoff chase. (16)
18. LAKERS (24-27) Based on locker-room leaks, Coach D’Antoni thinks it’s the Year of the Rat. (18)
19. PHILADELPHIA (22-27) Listless 76ers need to visit “Rocky Steps” outside city’s art museum. (19)
20. DALLAS (22-28) Hey, Mr. “Shark Tank”: You’d be lucky to get $1 for a 100% share of roster. (20)
DOGS ARE NO MATCH FOR THE DRAGON
21. DETROIT (20-32) After going 12-11 since Dec. 21, Pistons tout themselves as best of worst. (22)
22. MINNESOTA (18-29) Poor shooter Alexey Shved on Team Chuck-It-Up at Rising Stars Challenge. (21)
23. TORONTO (18-32) Unlike Raptors fans, Stern remains committed to basketball in Canada. (23)
24. NEW ORLEANS (17-33) Having roster intact makes coach feel like the Full Monty Williams. (27)
25. SACRAMENTO (18-33) Kings hope they don’t need talent accreditation before possible move. (25)
26. PHOENIX (17-34) In twist on “Where’s Waldo?”, fans play “Find the NBA player on this team.” (26)
27. CLEVELAND (16-35) Irving to make tearful goodbyes at All-Star game before returning here. (28)
28. WASHINGTON (14-35) John Wall now envious of fellow Kentuckian Eric Bledsoe’s game, team. (29)
29. ORLANDO (14-36) Recruit Collins’ mom probably wouldn’t let him sign with the Magic either. (24)
YEAR OF THE GOAT
30. CHARLOTTE (11-39) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist worried Coach Shaq may bring up Lakers collapse. (30)
1. OKLAHOMA CITY (38-12) Resting Durant, Westbrook combine for 0 points this week in 4th quarters. (1)
2. MIAMI (33-14) LeBron James is so good, he makes even the fans around him better. (2)
3. SAN ANTONIO (39-12) Winning streak that goes to 11 and ends there approved by Nigel Tufnel. (3)
4. CLIPPERS (35-17) Trey Thompkins’ feelings hurt by reports that team is back to full strength. (4)
A TIGER CAN BE A MATCH FOR THE DRAGON
5. NEW YORK (32-16) Knicks ask to be stranded in Minneapolis so they can keep playing T-Wolves. (5)
6. DENVER (33-18) Homecourt edge in playoffs would equal a bye, goodbye to foes. (11)
7. MEMPHIS (31-18) Unlike post office, Grizzlies keep delivering on Saturdays at FedEx Forum. (7)
8. GOLDEN STATE (30-21) Warriors’ slide reminds fans of pretty much every season in franchise history. (6)
9. INDIANA (31-20) Green to participate in dunk contest, remind rest of NBA he’s still here. (9)
10. CHICAGO (30-20) Rose’s return is so big in this town it warrants a two-word press release. (8)
11. BROOKLYN (29-21) It may not be long before Blatche is booed on the road and at home. (10)
12. ATLANTA (27-22) Defense against Vasquez is grievous as Hornets guard gets triple-double. (12)
SNAKES STILL SLITHERING AROUND
13. UTAH (28-24) Jazz can’t win big with Carlos Boozer or, apparently, without him. (13)
14. BOSTON (26-23) League’s elite point guards want Celtics to stay mum about recent run. (17)
15. MILWAUKEE (25-24) Boylan learning what Scott Skiles already knows: This team isn’t all that. (14)
16. HOUSTON (28-24) NASA petitions Defense Dept. to send representatives to help Rockets. (15)
17. PORTLAND (25-25) Just as everyone expected, Trail Blazers holding off Lakers in playoff chase. (16)
18. LAKERS (24-27) Based on locker-room leaks, Coach D’Antoni thinks it’s the Year of the Rat. (18)
19. PHILADELPHIA (22-27) Listless 76ers need to visit “Rocky Steps” outside city’s art museum. (19)
20. DALLAS (22-28) Hey, Mr. “Shark Tank”: You’d be lucky to get $1 for a 100% share of roster. (20)
DOGS ARE NO MATCH FOR THE DRAGON
21. DETROIT (20-32) After going 12-11 since Dec. 21, Pistons tout themselves as best of worst. (22)
22. MINNESOTA (18-29) Poor shooter Alexey Shved on Team Chuck-It-Up at Rising Stars Challenge. (21)
23. TORONTO (18-32) Unlike Raptors fans, Stern remains committed to basketball in Canada. (23)
24. NEW ORLEANS (17-33) Having roster intact makes coach feel like the Full Monty Williams. (27)
25. SACRAMENTO (18-33) Kings hope they don’t need talent accreditation before possible move. (25)
26. PHOENIX (17-34) In twist on “Where’s Waldo?”, fans play “Find the NBA player on this team.” (26)
27. CLEVELAND (16-35) Irving to make tearful goodbyes at All-Star game before returning here. (28)
28. WASHINGTON (14-35) John Wall now envious of fellow Kentuckian Eric Bledsoe’s game, team. (29)
29. ORLANDO (14-36) Recruit Collins’ mom probably wouldn’t let him sign with the Magic either. (24)
YEAR OF THE GOAT
30. CHARLOTTE (11-39) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist worried Coach Shaq may bring up Lakers collapse. (30)
