THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

*--* EVERYBODY’S A CONTENDER AT THIS TIME OF YEAR 1. SAN ANTONIO (3-0) Just think how much better they’d be with Kobe. 2. HOUSTON (3-0) (Didn’t you used to be) McGrady gets 77 in road wins over Lakers, Jazz. 3. DETROIT (2-0) With Richard Hamilton out, Arron Afflalo gets to start first two in NBA. 4. BOSTON (1-0) Real Big Three scores 67 in romp past Wizards’ Medium Size Three. 5. DALLAS (2-1) Only team ESPN isn’t reporting going after Kobe -- after Cuban came out and said it. 6. PHOENIX (1-1) Mr. November, not: Started 3-4 two seasons ago, 2-5 last season. 7. UTAH (2-1) Young guys still coming, with Ronnie Brewer looking good at shooting guard. 8. DENVER (2-0) Be very afraid: Anthony, career 28% three-point shooter, starts five for 11. 9. INDIANA (3-0) Dunleavy Jr., lost for years, averaging 21 in O’Brien’s up-tempo offense. 10. TORONTO (2-0) Bryan Colangelo looking good for executive of the year this season too. 11. NEW ORLEANS (2-0) Thousands of empty seats as Hornets win first two in their return. 12. CLIPPERS (1-0) For $52 million, it’s good to know Chris Kaman can still play. 13. ORLANDO (2-1) Giving up 116 at home to Detroit is a bad sign. 14. NEW JERSEY (2-1) Scoring 69 against Toronto shows Nets still mail it in some nights. 15. LAKERS (1-1) Well, everyone was expecting a wipeout in Phoenix. 16. CLEVELAND (1-1) Good thing for Coach Mike Brown they made Finals last season. 17. CHICAGO (0-3) Management worries about attitudes as Deng, Gordon turn down extensions. 18. GOLDEN STATE (0-3) Don Nelson says “We’re not very good” in schedule crunch without Jackson. 19. WASHINGTON (0-3) Things return to normal with Arenas back and defense giving up 105 a game. WELL, NOT QUITE EVERYBODY 20. ATLANTA (1-0) In a mass hallucination, Hawks are reported to have upended Mavericks. 21. CHARLOTTE (1-0) Happily, Bobcats won home opener versus Milwaukee, but it gets harder now. 22. SEATTLE (0-2) So much for rookie of the year: Durant gets 45 in first two. 23. MILWAUKEE (1-2) After scoring 11 in first two, Yi gets 16 points, eight rebounds versus Bulls. 24. PORTLAND (0-3) Doughnut: Without Oden, just nice young guys with a hole at center. 25. MEMPHIS (0-2) Mike Conley Jr., No. 4 pick, now No. 3 point guard behind Stoudamire, Lowry. 26. PHILADELPHIA (1-2) GM Billy King warns their rebuilding program is in extremely early stages. 27. MIAMI (0-2) Happily, Wade on way back because they might have been 0-8 by Nov. 15. 28. SACRAMENTO (0-3) Needed a deferral: Artest serving suspension; Bibby, Hawes out. 29. NEW YORK (0-1) As they say in Army (almost), Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition. 30. MINNESOTA (0-1) Looking good in race for Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley or whomever. *--*