When Tim Duncan went down with a sprained knee and ankle Dec. 2, the Spurs appeared headed for at least a minor stumble. After all, their next two opponents were the Mavs and Jazz. Surely San Antonio would need its two-time MVP to get past those Western heavyweights.
Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and the rest of the defending champs had other ideas. Showing yet again that they have a first-rate system to go with their talent, the Spurs defeated Dallas and Utah to run their record to 17-3. It marks San Antonio's best start after 20 games in franchise history -- and vaults them over the Celtics in this week's rankings.
This week's high riser: Blazers (No. 19 from 26)
This week's big drop: Kings (No. 27 from 19)
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Can't we just give Ginobili the Sixth Man award right now? He picked up the slack for the absent Duncan by posting back-to-back 37-point efforts to lead them to those triumphs over the Mavs and Jazz. Duncan, meanwhile, should be back for this week's tough roadies at Golden State (Tuesday) and at the Lakers (Thursday). |
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They might not be perfect like the Patriots, but they're still wicked good (as they say in New England). Saturday's win at Chicago was their sixth straight and improved their record to an NBA-best 17-2. Only the Spurs' impressive week moves the Celtics out of the top spot. |
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They just ran out of gas in the fourth quarter of Saturday night's shocking loss in Minnesota. Still, they finished 4-1 on the road trip while averaging 117.4 points and 36.8 assists. Steve Nash led the way (big surprise) with at least 14 dimes in each contest. |
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One secret to their success: health. Four of their five starters have played in all 21 games. The fifth, Jameer Nelson, has played in 20. Another secret: Keith Bogans. The fourth-year pro has done a solid job as the starting shooting guard, especially at the defensive end. |
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Avery Johnson can't be happy with their D of late. Through Sunday, they had yielded at least one 30-point quarter in 11 of their last 12 games. At least Josh Howard has been on his game, pumping in a career-high 47 points in last Friday's win over the Jazz to help them feel better after six losses in nine games. |
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With Jerry Sloan agreeing to just a one-year contract extension, some are wondering if the 2008-09 season (which would be his 21st in Utah) might be his last. Sloan no doubt is more concerned right now with his team's three-game losing skid, especially with six of seven on the road starting Wednesday in Phoenix. |
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Flip Saunders doesn't understand all the fuss about Rip Hamilton's early shooting woes. "We're winning by 24 points a game, and people are worried about his rhythm," the Pistons' coach said. Fair enough. The Pistons have won eight of 10, and Hamilton has been shooting a lot better. |
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Even without Peja Stojakovic (groin) and Morris Peterson (back strain), they held off the Sonics on Sunday to make it five victories in their last seven games. Chris Paul followed up his career-high 43-point night against the Grizzlies by racking up 29 points and 10 assists. |
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They're breathing a sigh of relief that Kobe Bryant didn't injure his shoulder more seriously in that fall in Denver. Meanwhile, Andrew Bynum tied a career high with 20 points in Sunday's win over the Warriors, their third straight victory, as the young center continues to blossom. |
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Charles Barkley might not be impressed, but Allen Iverson (51 points in loss to Lakers last week) continues to sizzle. Free to play off the ball with the return of Anthony Carter, Iverson has led Denver to four victories in five games. Plus, he could beat The Chuckster in a foot race any day. |
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