THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

RANKINGS, COMMENTS (WITH LAST WEEK’S RANK)

BACK TO THE FUTURE

1. BOSTON (55-14)

League’s best by a lot after going 4-0, 2-3, 4-1 on West Coast trips. (1)

2. LAKERS (48-21)

Version 1.0 with Bynum, 2.0 with Gasol, 3.0 neither, 4.0 with both they hope. (3)

YOU GUYS WON’T MESS UP PERFECT ENDING, WILL YOU?

3. NEW ORLEANS (47-21)

Little rascals just came from 15 down to beat Celtics for eighth win in 10. (2)

4. DETROIT (49-19)

Struggles vs. defensive teams with stars, such as the like Celtics (1-2), Cavaliers (1-3). (6)

5. UTAH (46-25)

It’s not good if they can’t beat Laker JV team at home where they won 19 in row.(4)

6. PHOENIX (47-22)

Just won seven in a row but next three are in Boston, Auburn Hills, Philadelphia. (9)

7. SAN ANTONIO (46-23)

Noted stretch runners just lost six of seven, blew 22-point lead vs. Celtics.(7)

8. HOUSTON (47-23)

That roar you hear is air leaving Rockets’ their balloon: 1-3 since streak ended. (5)

9. ORLANDO (46-26)

Room to improve: Walt Frazier says Howard has two moves: ‘Stuff and stuff.’ (10)

10. GOLDEN STATE (42-26)

Basic Nelson matchup nightmare with two guys he loves, 10 in/out of doghouse.(11)

11. DALLAS (44-25)

On bright side, they still lead 10th-place Denver by three games. (8)

12. DENVER (41-28)

Good news: Averaging 117.5 since break. Bad news: They’re 8-8. (12)

13. CLEVELAND (40-31)

Fun as it is to beat Pistons, they’re looking at Celtics in second round. (13)

14. PHILADELPHIA (35-35)

Who said East is a joke? Their 17-5 run gives conference seventh .500 team. (14)

15. PORTLAND (37-33)

Trying to get Darius Miles, who’s been out for two years, off their cap. (15)

16. TORONTO (35-34)

1-1 with Bosh after going 2-7 without him. Luckily, they’re in East. (16)

17. WASHINGTON (35-33)

4-1 with Butler after going 7-9 without him. Luckily, they’re in East.(17)

18. SACRAMENTO (31-38)

19-18 since Jan. 5. Unfortunately, they’re not in East. (18)

STILL IN EAST RACE AND FUBAR

19. ATLANTA (30-39)

In (snicker) race for No. 8, just won four of five to zoom past Nets. (20)

20. NEW JERSEY (29-41)

In (gag me) race for No. 8, Hawk loss was to Nets, who won season series. (19)

FOULED UP BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION

21. INDIANA (29-41)

One Dunleavy en fuego: Mike Jr. averaging 22 since break in career turnaround. (23)

22. CHICAGO (27-42)

After years hailing high-character guys, GM Paxson fines everyone who moves. (21)

23. CHARLOTTE (25-44)

Won’t make playoffs, as MJ planned, or even approach last season’s 33 wins.(22)

24. MILWAUKEE (24-44)

Splat: No. 6 pick Yi hit wall, averaging 9.6 before break, 3.7 since. (24)

25. CLIPPERS (21-48)

That they can do: Look like all-out sprint for most chances at top pick. (25)

26. SEATTLE (16-54)

Just OK: Jeff Green, No. 5 pick, averaging 11.7 since break. (26)

27. MINNESOTA (18-51)

Hit wall Opening Night: No. 7 pick Brewer averaging 5.4, shooting 36%. (29)

28. MEMPHIS (18-51)

Splat: No. 4 pick Conley averaging 6.5, shooting 35% since break. (28)

29. NEW YORK (19-50)

Gave up 234 in last two but you can’t say they quit. That was months ago. (27)

BLACK HOLE OF MIAMI

30. MIAMI (12-57)

On the bright side, Shawn Marion’s finally his team’s No. 1 guy. (30)