THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

RANKINGS, COMMENTS (WITH LAST WEEK’S RANK)

REAL DEALS

1. LAKERS (41-18)

Oops: Who dreamed Derek Fisher was 33? OK, make that one starter over 30. (1)

2. DETROIT (43-16)

Oops: About to start West trip 3-0, blew an 18-point lead in Utah. (2)

3. BOSTON (45-12)

Future better be now with P.J. Brown, 38, there, Sam Cassell, 38, on way. (3)

4. SAN ANTONIO (40-17)

Parker, who came back with 8, 10, 15, 10, gets 26 as Spurs win 12th in 14. (4)

BRAVE NEW WORLDS

5. DALLAS (39-20)

On the positive side, Nowitzki’s averaging 30 since Kidd got there. (9)

6. NEW ORLEANS (39-18)

There must be a place for Bonzi Wells, on fifth team in five years looking for one. (5)

7. UTAH (38-22)

In last five on road, Jazz gave up 106 a game and lost four of them. (7)

8. HOUSTON (38-20)

Won last 12 with Yao, 2-0 since he left and about to march off cliff. (6)

9. PHOENIX (39-20)

Somebody must be having a cow: 2-4 with O’Neal, tied for No. 5 in West. (8)

10. GOLDEN STATE (35-22)

Monta as in pay: Ellis, 22, averaging 26 this month and he’ll be free agent. (12)

11. DENVER (35-23)

Oops: With $83 million payroll, $15 million in tax, could miss playoffs.(10)

12. ORLANDO (38-23)

That should do it: GM Hill encourages struggling Nelson to shave beard. (11)

13. CLEVELAND (33-26)

James repeats he wanted Kidd as Cavaliers go 3-2 since their big trade. (13)

14. PORTLAND (31-28)

Friday’s win over Lakers was preview of battle for West minus Oden, Bynum. (14)

15. TORONTO (32-25)

Bosh misses Pacers loss with sore knee as entire franchise limps in sympathy. (15)

16. WASHINGTON (28-30)

5-12 without Butler; and per team policy there’s news blackout on his status.(17)

17. SACRAMENTO (26-32)

Couldn’t move Artest, have to hope he can stay out of stands for two months. (16)

18. PHILADELPHIA (26-33)

Playing faster, went from 94 a game to 101 over last 16, going 11-5. (18)

19. NEW JERSEY (26-32)

Devin Harris makes big entrance, scoring 21 in 21 minutes off bench. (20)

STILL IN EAST RACE AND FUBAR

20. ATLANTA (24-32)

Woodson on borrowed time so he’d better not lose any he’s supposed to win. (19)

21. CHICAGO (23-35)

With Hughes eating up $12.5 million of cap space, Gordon’s out of there. (21)

22. INDIANA (23-36)

Forget silver linings: Larry Bird says this ‘isn’t acceptable.’ (22)

23. MILWAUKEE (22-37)

Not that GM Harris is a goner, but ESPN’s Bill Simmons campaigns for his job. (23)

FOULED UP BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION

24. CLIPPERS (19-38)

Dear Sam I Am: Thanks for coming. It was a blast having you here. (25)

25. CHARLOTTE (19-39)

Worst yet to come: Bobcats just announced they can’t afford free agent in summer. (24)

26. NEW YORK (18-41)

Phased-out Curry says it’s a big man’s game or, in his case, fat man’s game. (26)

27. MEMPHIS (14-45)

If Mike Miller deal had gone down, they Grizzlies would have D-League team now. (27)

28. SEATTLE (15-43)

Since All-Star break, Durant is down to 18 a game, shooting 35%. (28)

29. MINNESOTA (12-45)

What you call a slow start: No. 7 pick Brewer averaging 5.1, shooting 35%. (29)

BLACK HOLE OF MIAMI

30. MIAMI (11-45)

Unlike 76ers, who rallied late last season, they’re not Heat isn’t going anywhere. (30)