The Times’ NBA rankings
Times NBA writer Ben Bolch ranks the league’s teams:
STEALING THE SHOW AT TOYOTA CENTER
1. MIAMI (36-14) LeBron James cataloging Birdman’s tattoos: “Not one, not two, not three …” (2)
2. OKLAHOMA CITY (39-14) Maybe that Finals rematch with Heat wouldn’t be so compelling after all. (1)
3. SAN ANTONIO (42-12) Gregg Popovich can fix Bryant-Howard mess, if just for a weekend. (3)
4. CLIPPERS (39-17) Partying like it’s 1992-93 after clinching season series with Lakers. (4)
A WEEKEND IN TRANQUILITY PARK
5. NEW YORK (32-18) Carmelo Anthony’s security detail could teach him art of defense. (5)
6. DENVER (33-21) Kenneth Faried is no longer a rising star. He’s here, dreadlocks and all. (6)
7. MEMPHIS (33-18) Lionel Hollins spends All-Star break dusting off old Rudy Gay footage. (7)
8. INDIANA (32-21) Danny Granger’s impending return means Pacers could be back in title hunt. (9)
9. GOLDEN STATE (30-22) David Lee plays “Wish You Were Here” on iPad to honor Stephen Curry. (8)
10. CHICAGO (30-22) Floors of Hancock Center closed after Derrick Rose says he may not return. (10)
11. BROOKLYN (31-22) P.J. Carlesimo learning that the honeymoons are never permanent here. (11)
12. ATLANTA (29-22) Josh Smith trade gossip so rampant he may end up on cover of Us Weekly. (12)
AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
13. UTAH (30-24) Jazz fans make goodbye cards to prepare for trade-deadline possibilities. (13)
14. BOSTON (28-24) This may be Kevin Garnett’s last All-Star game, if Anthony has his way. (14)
15. MILWAUKEE (26-25) Follow-up question to Brandon Jennings saying he wants to stay: Why? (15)
16. HOUSTON (29-26) No defense will be played, as usual, Sunday in the Toyota Center. (16)
17. LAKERS (25-29) Suggested reading for Pau Gasol in next two months: The Book of Exodus. (18)
18. PORTLAND (25-28) Maybe Aldridge, Batum and Lillard aren’t enough. (17)
19. DALLAS (23-29) Will be a lot of thick beards since Mavs won’t shave until reaching .500. (20)
20. PHILADELPHIA (22-29) Here’s guessing Andrew Bynum didn’t visit old Westchester neighbors. (19)
HOBBY CENTER FOR THE UNDERPERFORMING ARTS
21. TORONTO (21-32) Rudy Gay trade provides hope for small-market teams in two countries. (23)
22. DETROIT (21-33) Jose Calderon averaging fewer assists exclusively as a starter. (21)
23. MINNESOTA (19-31) Any more discord and Kevin Love will start wearing a He Hate Me jersey. (22)
24. NEW ORLEANS (19-34) Hornets ask Superdome officials for tips on staging power outages. (24)
25. SACRAMENTO (19-35) NBA beat writers pulling harder for Kings’ relocation than Seattle fans. (25)
26. PHOENIX (17-36) Just when things seemingly can’t get worse, Charles Barkley rips Suns. (26)
27. CLEVELAND (16-37) Kyrie Irving should put on the old man suit if Kobe Bryant guards him. (27)
28. WASHINGTON (15-36) Ari Gold to settle dispute between John Wall’s agent and David Falk. (28)
29. ORLANDO (15-37) Trip to Disney World during All-Star break can’t even make Magic smile. (29)
WHY IN SAM HOUSTON ARE YOU STILL HERE?
30. CHARLOTTE (12-40) Bobcats are an utterly forgettable 5-35 since that 7-5 start to remember. (30)
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