By Kori Ellis
SpursZONE.com
Season record in parenthesis reflects games played through Saturday, November 13th.
Utah Jazz (5-1)
The offseason additions of Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur are already paying dividends, as the Jazz are off to a blazing start. On top of averaging an impressive 102.8 points for the season, their defense has also been stellar -- giving up only 88.0 points per game.
RANK: 1
San Antonio Spurs (5-1)
Other than a hiccup against Seattle on the road, the Spurs have played flawless ball. Tim Duncan has looked like his dominating self but the story in South Texas is the emergence of Manu Ginobili. The gold medal winning Argentinean is stuffing the stat sheet.
RANK: 2
Dallas Mavericks (6-1)
Despite the loss of Steve Nash, the Mavs are out of the gates fast again this season. Dirk Nowitzki is at the top of his game and the backcourt duo of Jerry Stackhouse and Jason Terry off the bench can light it up. If they can keep their D respectable, watch out.
RANK: 3
Miami Heat (4-2)
The talk around Miami all summer was the addition of Shaquille O'Neal, but now they can't stop talking about Dwyane Wade. The second year player out of Marquette, who is currently out with an ankle injury, is averaging 25.6 points and 7.4 assists per contest.
RANK: 4
Seattle Supersonics (5-1)
After getting blown out by the Clippers on opening night, the Sonics have bounced back by winning their last five games. Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis are proving to be a sharp-shooting combo with both players averaging over 22 points per game.
RANK: 5
Phoenix Suns (4-2)
The Suns are a team no one wants to face in the playoffs. The ability to put Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson on the floor with Steve Nash makes Phoenix one of the most athletic, fast-paced teams in recent history.
RANK: 6
Indiana Pacers (5-2)
With Reggie Miller out with an injury, Jermaine O'Neal hobbled and Ron Artest apparently going crazy, it's a minor miracle that the Pacers are out to a 5-2 start. If the Pacers can heal and get Artest to concentrate on basketball, there is no limit for this team.
RANK: 7
Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2)
Though the team has only won three of their first five games, Kevin Garnett is off to an amazing statistical start, averaging 24.8 points, 15.4 rebounds and 7.0 assists. Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell are off to slow starts, but they'll surely come around as the season progresses.
RANK: 8
Milwaukee Bucks (3-1)
The Bucks lost their opener but have reeled off their last three games. The trio of Michael Redd, Keith Van Horn and Desmond Mason are off to a solid beginning of their campaign. The key for the season is to find someone who can produce at point guard.
RANK: 9
Orlando Magic (3-1)
A season after struggling through a lottery-bound year, the Magic appear to be a team on the rise. Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley have their chemistry, Grant Hill looks like he's back to his old form and 18-year-old Dwight Howard is putting up great numbers.
RANK: 10
Detroit Pistons (3-3)
The defending NBA champions have been struggling, which can mostly be attributed to Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups missing action. Larry Brown is also not on the sidelines after hip surgery. Don't expect the Pistons to be .500 for much longer.
RANK: 11
Los Angeles Clippers (4-3)
With five of their first seven games on the road, the Clippers have done well to open the season with a 4-3 record. Youngsters Corey Maggette, Chris Wilcox, Elton Brand and Bobby Simmons are all averaging over 15 points and five rebounds per game.
RANK: 12
Toronto Raptors (4-3)
After starting the season with three straight wins, the Raptors have come back down to earth by losing three of their next four contests. Their 4-3 record is still impressive considering the wins came against Houston, Detroit, Portland and Utah.
RANK: 13
Boston Celtics (3-2)
Five players are averaging double digits for the Celtics, including Ricky Davis who is scoring 16.2 points per game on 54.2% shooting from the field. Boston is getting good inside play by Mark Blount and Raef LaFrentz, but Paul Pierce and Davis remain the key.
RANK: 14
Los Angeles Lakers (4-4)
Kobe Bryant is finding life hard without The Big Miami Resident by his side. He's averaging 28.3 points per game but is only shooting 38.9% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc. Bryant must improve his shot selection for LA to succeed.
RANK: 15
Cleveland Cavaliers (3-3)
Since they tipped off the season with three losses, they've rebounded by winning their next three games. LeBron James must be immune to the idea of a sophomore slump. He's averaging 27.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists while playing 44.8 minutes a night.
RANK: 16
Portland Trailblazers (3-3)
With the Western Conference as deep as it is, the Blazers will have to be playing at top form to make the playoffs. So far, they've been playing inconsistent ball outside of the steady play of forwards Zach Randolph and Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
RANK: 17
Philadelphia 76ers (3-3)
The Sixers have eight players averaging at least 8.8 points per game, with Allen Iverson leading the balanced attack with an average of 26.0 points per contest. AI is doing a good job of running the team as the point guard and is keeping everyone involved.
RANK: 18
Sacramento Kings (2-4)
Although a 2-4 record makes it seem like it's time to panic in Sacramento, the Kings have played five of those six games on the road. The club has a five-game home stretch coming up on the schedule, so their record should even out soon.
RANK: 19
Washington Wizards (3-3)
The Wizards are a talented team who could create a lot of noise in the East if they can all get on the same page. Antawn Jamison is back to being a go-to option and he's responded by averaging 22.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
RANK: 20
Houston Rockets (3-4)
It's been a rollercoaster ride for the Rockets this season. They started off by losing their first two games but then recovered by winning their next three, only to lose their next two. Until Tracy McGrady is comfortable, it's going to be tough for them to score.
RANK: 21
Memphis Grizzlies (2-4)
After making the playoffs last year, the expectations are high. Possible due to that pressure, Memphis stumbled out of the gates by losing their first four games. However, they've apparently recovered as they've won their last two games by 26.5 points.
RANK: 22
New York Knicks (2-3)
The Knicks have won only two of their first five games and are off to Texas to play the three teams there. If they fall out of the playoff picture, look for Lenny Wilkens to be replaced sooner rather than later. The good news is Stephon Marbury is off to a fast start.
RANK: 23
Denver Nuggets (2-4)
The offseason signing of Kenyon Martin has many league pundits picking the Nuggets to move up the ladder in the West. So far, that isn't happening. The Nuggets have started the season 2-4, while Carmelo Anthony is shooting only 35.3% from the field.
RANK: 24
New Jersey Nets (2-4)
With Martin in Denver, Kerry Kittles on the Clippers and Jason Kidd nursing his knee, virtually the only recognizable member of the Nets team that reached the Finals twice is Richard Jefferson. Alonzo Mourning is off to a fine start, but he too wants a trade.
RANK: 25
Charlotte Bobcats (1-4)
For an expansion team, the Bobcats are off to a commendable start. Though they've lost four of their five contests, the team has played hard and the young players on the squad look promising. This team will struggle to win but the future is bright in Charlotte.
RANK: 26
Golden State Warriors (1-6)
The Warriors look like a team going nowhere fast. They have a mix of young players and veterans but the talent isn't there to make a playoff push. Unless players like Jason Richardson and Mike Dunleavy have breakout seasons, this is a guaranteed lottery team.
RANK: 27
Atlanta Hawks (1-5)
Losing by over 16 points per game, the Hawks are in for a long season. Antoine Walker and Al Harrington are the two go-to players but outside of that, there isn't much. Though with a lot of young players composing the roster, they should improve greatly throughout the season.
RANK: 28
New Orleans Hornets (0-6)
Welcome to the Western Conference, New Orleans. After starting the season 0-6, the Hornets would be lucky to even sniff the playoffs. With attendance lacking, players wanting out and ownership issues, the franchise is coming close to being in crisis mode.
RANK: 29
Chicago Bulls (0-4)
Another summer of change and another season of losing. The Bulls are in their familiar spot in the rankings after going winless in their first four contests. The only good news for the Bulls is Luol Deng has started off the season strong and looks like the real deal.
RANK: 30
