Yahoo ranking thus far. Wouldnt buy into this until the end of the year and see how we do on the road.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=sk-rankings120406&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Here's a look at this week's rankings (records and statistics are through Dec. 3):
Dallas 1. Dallas Mavericks (12-4, Last ranking: 3) – How dominant have the top-ranked Mavericks been? They haven't trailed once in their last four games.
L.A. Lakers 2. Los Angeles Lakers (11-5, Last ranking: 6) – Fifty-two points for Kobe Bryant against the Jazz, and he and the Lakers follow it up with a second win over the Clippers. L.A. still belongs to the Lakers.
Utah 3. Utah Jazz (14-4, Last ranking: 1) – The Jazz stumbled and lost a couple of games last week, but Mehmet Okur saved a third loss with a late three-pointer against Seattle.
San Antonio 4. San Antonio Spurs (12-5, Last ranking: 2) – The Spurs are 2-2 since Manu Ginobili went down with a back injury. He's due back soon.
Orlando 5. Orlando Magic (13-5, Last ranking: 4) – Give it up for the Hills. Grant Hill's game-winning layup against Portland came on a play that was drawn up perfectly by coach Brian Hill.
Denver 6. Denver Nuggets (10-5, Last ranking: 7) – Eduardo Najera has filled in nicely for Kenyon Martin, who is out for the season with a knee injury. The Nuggets seem to have put the chemistry issues of a year ago behind them.
Phoenix 7. Phoenix Suns (9-6, Last ranking: 10) – Amare Stoudemire has four straight games of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, and he's throwing down some wicked dunks again. He's gaining confidence with each game.
Houston 8. Houston Rockets (11-5, Last ranking: 5) – The Rockets are winning even with Tracy McGrady struggling through a slow start. They're doing it the Van Gundy Way – with great defense. Opponents are shooting a league-low 42 percent.
Detroit 9. Detroit Pistons (11-6, Last ranking: 9) – The Pistons are playing small, spreading the floor and firing threes (they've made 118 of them).
Cleveland 10. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-7, Last ranking: 8) – The Cavaliers miss Larry Hughes, who is out again with an ankle injury. Can he ever stay healthy?
Golden State 11. Golden State Warriors (9-8, Last ranking: 11) – Troy Murphy's 23 and 11 were a bright spot in the Warriors' loss to the Bucks. He's trying to find his groove after a slow start.
L.A. Clippers 12. Los Angeles Clippers (8-8, Last ranking: 15) – Elton Brand's points per game average has dropped from 25 last season to 18 this year. Sometimes, the Clips forget to throw him the ball inside.
Sacramento 13. Sacramento Kings (8-7, Last ranking: 12) – The Kings are hoping Mike Bibby's slump will end soon. He's shooting just 35 percent, but he had a poor November last year, too.
Indiana 14. Indiana Pacers (9-9, Last ranking: 14) – Jamaal Tinsley is starting to pick up the pace. He's averaged 21 points and seven assists in his last three games.
Chicago 15. Chicago Bulls (7-9, Last ranking: 24) – Four wins in a row, with more on the horizon: The Bulls host three Atlantic Division teams this week at the United Center.
New Orleans 16. New Orleans Hornets (8-8, Last ranking: 13) – How about Chris Paul's line in the loss to Chicago: 25 points, 18 assists and 11 boards.
Miami 17. Miami Heat (7-9, Last ranking: 19) – James Posey comes back just in time: He hit a buzzer-beating three to defeat Memphis in his second game back from a calf injury.
Atlanta 18. Atlanta Hawks (7-8, Last ranking: 17) – The beat goes on for Joe Johnson. He's scored 25 or more points 13 times this season.
New Jersey 19. New Jersey Nets (7-9, Last ranking: 20) – Nine of the Nets' next 10 games are at home, so now is the time to take control of the Atlantic Division.
Minnesota 20. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-9, Last ranking: 16) – Tough week ahead for the Wolves: Houston and Utah at home, plus a trip to Chicago.
Seattle 21. Seattle SuperSonics (7-11, Last ranking: 17) – Three winnable home games coming up this week for the Sonics, who already find themselves seven games back in the Northwest.
Toronto 22. Toronto Raptors (7-10, Last ranking: 27) – Don't look now, but the Raptors have won four of five. Chris Bosh and T.J. Ford are carrying the load.
Washington 23. Washington Wizards (6-10, Last ranking: 28) – The Wizards have yet to win a game on the road this season; they're 0-8.
Milwaukee 24. Milwaukee Bucks (6-10, Last ranking: 25) – The Bucks are playing zone defense almost exclusively, but it's not working very well. They're giving up 104 points per game, and opponents are shooting 48 percent.
Boston 25. Boston Celtics (5-10, Last ranking: 22) – Think the Celtics depend on Paul Pierce? They haven't won a game in which he's scored fewer than 29 points.
Philadelphia 26. Philadelphia 76ers (5-11, Last ranking: 21) – Chris Webber is back after missing six games with back problems, but will he make much of a difference? The Sixers have lost four straight and eight of nine.
Portland 27. Portland Trail Blazers (6-12, Last ranking: 23) – After that nifty 4-2 start, the Blazers have lost 10 of 12. Brandon Roy remains in street clothes due to a heel injury.
Charlotte 28. Charlotte Bobcats (5-12, Last ranking: 29) – No rest for the weary. The Bobcats have San Antonio, Houston and Phoenix this week.
New York 29. New York Knicks (6-13, Last ranking: 26) – Apparently, Nate Robinson thought he was in another dunk contest during the Cleveland game. The problem is that, unlike All-Star Saturday night, he didn't get a do-over when he missed.
Memphis 30. Memphis Grizzlies (4-12, Last ranking: 30) – Pau Gasol is apparently close to a return. He can't come back soon enough.
