Music to listen to: What Does Your Soul Look Like? Pt. 2 (Economics Version) by DJ Shadow
1) San Antonio (18-4): The Spurs are second in the league in scoring, first in assists per game and have found an ability to win closely contested defensive games like the victory at home against Oklahoma City and offensive displays like their last win, a 134-126 overtime triumph on the road at Houston in which Tony Parker notched his first career triple-double. The only issue for San Antonio seems to be defense, where the unit only ranks 14th in the NBA.
2) Oklahoma City (17-4): The Thunder have joined San Antonio, Miami and Boston for many NBA followers, which means regular season success is minimized without surpassing post season expectations. OKC leads the league in scoring and have received a solid contribution from Kevin Martin off the bench.
3) New York (16-5): The Knicks’ overall offensive efficiency which has catapulted the team to the best record in the Eastern Conference has been complimented by Carmelo Anthony is playing at an MVP level and the unit making a high level of three-pointers. However, the point guard play of Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd has been outstanding and allowed the Knicks to not make many turnovers.
4) Los Angeles Clippers (15-6): The Clippers’ organization will never say it publically but they’re better without Chauncey Billups and sticking with the guard rotation of Chris Paul, Matt Barnes, Eric Bledsoe and Jamal Crawford. What should be concerning is the free-throw troubles of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin which will haunt the Clips in the playoffs.
5) Memphis (14-4): The Grizzlies lead the league in scoring defense but were outscored 32-12 in the third quarter during their 93-83 home loss to Atlanta last Sunday.
6) Miami (14-5): I can accept a loss on the road to lowly Washington but having the 22nd best defensive unit in the NBA when the Heat have perennially been a top-ten unit during the LeBron James era is a slight cause for concern.
7) Atlanta (12-6): The nice road win at Memphis last week highlights the improved Hawks defense, which has become a solid top-ten squad this year.
8) Golden State (14-7): I attended the Nets/Warriors game in Brooklyn last Friday and Golden State has improved its defense greatly since Mark Jackson became coach last season. The Warriors are currently 4-0 on their seven-game road trip while Steph Curry and David Lee have averaged more than 20 PPG in each win.
9) Brooklyn (11-9): The Nets are 0-5 since Brook Lopez went out with a foot injury a few weeks ago.
10) Chicago (11-9): The Bench Mob has been left in the dust and the Bulls struggle to even break 95 PPG without Derrick Rose.
11) Denver (11-11): The Nuggets have had arguably the toughest schedule in the NBA so far this season but still have a talented and deep team. The inconsistency on defense (26th in the league with giving up 101 PPG) has lead to the .500 record.
12) Milwaukee (10-9): The Bucks are finding the ability to win games they’re supposed to win like a solid victory at Brooklyn last Sunday.
13) Utah (12-10): The Jazz had a nice win over the Lakers on the road last Sunday.
14) Boston (11-9): The Celtics continue to master the art of pacing themselves during the regular season.
15) Indiana (10-11): When you’re missing your best scorer (Danny Granger), received a relatively underwhelming effort from your best post player (Roy Hibbert) and you have the worst defense in the NBA, a slightly sub-.500 record may be fortunate for the Pacers.
16) Los Angeles Lakers (9-13): We all know that they have a top-five unit on paper but the oddity is that while Kobe Bryant is scoring at one of the highest rates of his career, the Lakers keep losing. Not a knock, just acknowledging stats.
17) Philadelphia (12-9): Andrew Bynum drama aside, the Sixers have received improved play from Evan Turner and have used consistent defense to stay above water in the East.
18) Houston (9-11): When you have a guard-heavy offensive team like the Rockets with Jeremy Lin and James Harden, you’re going to most likely score points (104.5 PPG) but also give up plenty as well (105.4 PPG).
19) Minnesota (9-9): Kevin Love is back but the dynamics of Ricky Rubio at point guard are the missing elements for the Wolves to make a push to make the playoffs.
20) Dallas (11-10): OJ Mayo would make my early top-10 list for MVP if I made a list today.
21) Orlando (8-12): Courtesy of Marc Stein of ESPN, the Magic are 7-2 against sub-.500 teams and Glen Davis has nine double-doubles this season.
22) Detroit (7-17): Just start Andre Drummond all season and ride the wave.
23) Sacramento (7-12): I’ve seen the #freejimmer movement but the Kings have a log jam in the backcourt. It may be time to #freeDeMarcus, who despite averaging 17/9 this season, continues to be lost in Sacramento.
24) Charlotte (7-12): How do you go from being 7-5 and the surprise of the NBA to losing seven-straight?
25) Portland (9-12): This has either been a painfully quiet season for LaMarcus Aldridge or his supporting cast in Portland has been underwhelming.
26) New Orleans (5-14): The future Pelicans (I like the new nickname) have struggled without Anthony Davis in the rotation who finally returned from injury this week.
27) Phoenix (7-15): Will Alvin Gentry be the first coaching casualty of this season?
28) Cleveland (5-17): Nice win at home against the Lakers last night and Anderson Varejao continues the push for his first All-Star appearance.
29) Toronto (4-18): Amir Johnson’s attack of the referee on Monday during the Raptors’ 92-74 loss at Portland shows the overall frustration of the franchise at this point of the season.
30) Washington (3-15): The home win against Miami was good but the Wizards are still 3-15.
Those are my thoughts, what are yours?
The Sports Inquirer 
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