Records at All-Star break (last week's rank)
1. Spurs 46-10 (2): Four more wins match last season's total.
2. Heat 41-15 (1): Word among insiders: Beat them now while they're runts and you can.
3. Celtics 40-14 (3): One All-Star for each of four seasons as NBA's bandaged "Spirit of '76" crew.
4. Mavericks 39-16 (6): Take out 2-7 swoon without Dirk and Lakers aren't even in race for 2 seed.
5. Bulls 38-16 (4): Stealth contender gets Noah back for this week's Heat visit.
6. Thunder 35-19 (7): This season is to get more experience. Next season they'll need more players.
7. Lakers 38-19 (5): If 'Melo is seen as savior, problem is players' belief in themselves.
8. Hawks 34-21 (8): NBA's most exciting hamster wheel: After 4-3-4 finishes in East ... No. 4!
9. Magic 36-21 (9): Closed 23-8 last season. Better have another move like that left.
10. Hornets 33-25 (10): Remarkable season, assuming NBA doesn't contract them before it's over.
11. Grizzlies 31-26 (12): One for Hollins: Just went 17-7 with Zach, O.J. thought to be gonzo.
12. Suns 27-27 (14): One for Gentry: Suns written off yet again, back yet again.
13. Trail Blazers 29-24 (15): One for McMillan — as owner Allen's Vulcans fly lazy circles overhead.
14. Nuggets 31-25 (11): If 'Melo is doing so well, why are they down from 37-19 at 2010 break?
15. 76ers 27-29 (13): What's a coach worth? Same group was 20-32 a year ago before 7-23 finish.
16. Knicks 28-26 (17): Awoke to find he's still Ray Felton: 46 percent at Christmas, 38 percent since.
17. Jazz 31-26 (16): Corbin 0-3, two vs. fast-closing Suns.
18. Pacers 24-30 (18): Off O'Brien's yo-yo, Hibbert at 18-8 under Vogel, who's 7-3.
19. Rockets 26-31 (19): Gritty crew deserves better, but GM Morey yet to figure out Plan B.
20. Warriors 26-29 (21): One for new owners, Keith Smart: 14-37 at last season's break.
21. Pistons 21-36 (20): One for Kuester after 12-26 start with no owner, future, harmony.
22. Bobcats 24-32 (24): Kwame wows them, turns back into Kwame. Next: the move to trainer's room.
23. Clippers 21-35 (23): Win in Minnesota meant one local team didn't have to crawl home.
24. Bucks 21-34 (22): Anonymous and scrappy is one thing. Anonymous and hurt is another.
25. Nets 17-40 (25): Avery says Favors, centerpiece of 'Melo offer, will be fine by 2012-13.
26. Wizards 15-39 (26): On bright side, Wall clings to No. 2 over Landry Fields in rookie race.
27. Timberwolves 13-43 (27): Promising nucleus needs 7-footer not named Darko, results.
28. Kings 13-40 (28): Nothing maturity won't cure, wherever their young guys are by then.
29. Raptors 15-41 (29): There's a place for 7-foot shooter who averages 5.5 rebounds: Phoenix.
30. Cavaliers 10-46 (30): Thank heaven for hypes from the West Coast.