The Times’ NBA rankings

BEN BOLCH’S RANKINGS, COMMENTS THROUGH SATURDAY

NO FOOLING AROUND
1. CHICAGO (42-11) Derrick Rose’s groin not a growing problem for Bulls, who keep on rolling. (1)
2. OKLAHOMA CITY (39-12) Rejuvenated Derek Fisher doesn’t need as much Bengay with Thunder. (2)
3. MIAMI (37-13) LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant MVP debate more compelling than 2012 political race. (3)
4. SAN ANTONIO (36-14) Box score against 76ers Philadelphia lists Tim Duncan as “Did Not Dress -- Old.” Really. (4)

DON’T SUFFER FOOLS GLADLY
5. ORLANDO (32-20) Magic wants Dirk Nowitzki’s winner waved off; since he didn’t call “bank” in German. (5)
6. LAKERS (32-20) Maybe Mike Brown just wanted to bolster weak bench by putting Kobe, Bynum there. (6)
7. INDIANA (30-21) That victory over Lakers at Staples Center isn’t looking quite as impressive these days. (7)
8. ATLANTA (31-23) Area headline writers have “Joe Johnson comes up big in Hawks’ victory” on save string. (8)
9. CLIPPERS (31-21) Vinny Del Negro quickly shifts from verge of firing to brink of lifetime contract. (12)
10. MEMPHIS (28-22) Might feel like jumping into Mississippi the way fortunes keep rising, falling. (9)
11. DALLAS (30-23) Lamar Odom deserves hazard pay for enduring toxic environment. (11)
12. BOSTON (29-22) Refusing to break up core a good decision since future might be now. (16)

YOU CAN FOOL ALL OF THEM SOME OF THE TIME
13. PHILADELPHIA (29-23) Kentucky Wildcats can’t beat Washington? Apparently neither can slumping 76ers. (10)
14. DENVER (28-24) George Karl may need new contacts after calling victory over lowly Bobcats “beautiful.” (14)
15. HOUSTON (28-24) Rockets are latest to discover that Marcus Camby’s skill set never gets old. (15)
16. UTAH (27-26) Good, then bad, then good. Will the real Jazz please toot their saxophones? (13)

TITLE CHANCES ARE FOOL’S GOLD
17. NEW YORK (27-26) Mike Woodson returns to Atlanta with another team that won’t go far in playoffs. (18)
18. PHOENIX (25-26) Steve Nash could turn Miami’s Big Three into a Fantastic Four in off-season. (17)
19. MINNESOTA (25-28) Kevin Love providing pleasant distraction on UCLA hoops message boards. (19)
20. MILWAUKEE (24-28) How embarrassing: Jon Brockman only Buck not to score in 121-84 rout of Cavaliers. (20)
21. PORTLAND (24-28) After giving Luke Babbitt a shot, Blazers may as well should do same with Raymond Babbitt. (21)

APRIL FOOLS
22. GOLDEN STATE (20-30) Stephen Curry back in a few weeks -- too bad team already shut down for season. (22)
23. CLEVELAND (17-33) Cavaliers feel they’re well-positioned for future success. How does 2050 sound? (23)
24. DETROIT (19-33) Finishing 2-2 on recent trip is an unqualified success for this bunch. (25)
25. SACRAMENTO (18-34) Twenty-five years after hitting “The Shot,” Keith Smart’s team doesn’t have one. (24)
26. TORONTO (17-35) Chris Bosh thrilled to be in visitor’s locker room in return to Air Canada Centre. (26)
27. NEW JERSEY (19-35) D-League affiliate Springfield Armor signs three Nets to 10-day contracts. (28)
28. NEW ORLEANS (13-39) With contract on his mind, Eric Gordon has something to play for if Hornets don’t. (29)
29. WASHINGTON (12-40) Why does Andray Blatche have to improve conditioning if he’s biggest loser? (27)

FOOL IN THE RAIN
30. CHARLOTTE (7-43) Michael Jordan’s ownership provides cautionary tale for Magic Johnson. (30)