5. San Antonio Spurs (2): Deep down, everyone knew the Spurs’ success couldn’t last the length of an entire 82-game season. At the same time, I’m not completely sold that the injuries to Duncan and Ginobili are going to impact them in the playoffs at all – Poppovich is probably just trying to get them some extra rest before taking what is probably this group’s final shot at a title.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (4): The “Broingtons” are broken up; however, I don’t think the Thunder are too upset considering that they have only lost once since making the trade for Kendrick Perkins.
3. Dallas Mavericks (5): I still think the Mavericks are a bunch of playoff pretenders, but they are still a ball club that wins a high percentage of its games consistently. (As seen in the Mavs’ 11 consecutive season’s of at least 50 wins.)
2. Chicago Bulls (3): It’s going to be so surreal to hear a Chicago Bull, who’s not named Michael Jordan, named as the league’s MVP. They are on the cusp of peaking, and once they do, watch out.
1. Los Angeles Lakers (1):They’re 15-1 since the all-star break, and with playoffs right around the corner, it looks like they are peaking at the perfect time. Kobe has dropped at least 30 in each of the last three games and the Lakers are rolling.