Midseason Grades
Team	Grade	CNNSI.com's Marty Burns
	C	Injuries to starters Theo Ratliff, Toni Kukoc and Emanual Davis have derailed their once-promising season. Given the circumstances, they have held up satisfactorily. However, they still play like the same old Hawks too many nights.
	A	At 25-16, they are on pace for their best season since 1991-92. Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker have been All-Stars, and the rest of the cast has played to its potential. Once again, this esteemed family is back at the head of the class.
	C	Despite the loss of leading scorer Jamal Mashburn and the distraction of a possible move to New Orleans, they have managed to stay near .500. Lack of intensity is still a problem many days. Also, 9-11 record on their home floor has been disappointing.
	D	The absence of Eddie Robinson (toe) and Ron Artest (finger) hurt them early, but it can't excuse their performance. Several veterans quit on former coach Tim Floyd. They've played harder under Bill Cartwright, but overall they deserve at best a weak pass.
	C-	After a promising start, they have fallen back to their familiar losing ways. However, Zydrunas Ilgauskas has been limited, and Tyrone Hill hasn't played at all. New coach John Lucas has brought fire, but he needs to show more improvement in the second half.
	A-	No sophomore slump for this Cinderella of a year ago. Their 29-12 record was the franchise's best-ever at the midway point, a real accomplishment considering Michael Finley has been hurt for a while. Only class clown Mark Cuban keeps them from getting a better grade.
	C	Given the loss of All-Star Antonio McDyess to a knee injury, the Dan Issel fiasco, and the Nick Van Exel trade demands, it could have been worse. Their victory at the Lakers last week was a highlight. And they haven't boycotted practice once -- at least not yet.
	B-	After a sensational start under new coach Rick Carlisle, they have come crashing back to earth. Still, they haven't panicked and they've continued to play solid team defense while holding on in the Eastern playoff race. A solid job overall.
	D	They're at a disadvantage in the tough Western Conference, but the talent is still better than their record would indicate. Antawn Jamison has not earned his monster paycheck, while the vets bailed on coach Dave Cowens. Only Danny Fortson keeps them from getting an F.
	C	This is another team that suffers from being in the West. They also had to deal with losing Glen Rice for the season and Steve Francis for a long stretch. Still, they haven't done enough to merit better than a satisfactory grade here.
	B	The Pacers survived a tough road schedule early and have shown gradual improvement. They also haven't let the Jalen Rose situation become a distraction. The loss of Al Harrington (season-ending knee injury) will hurt; young stars Jamaal Tinsley and Jermaine O'Neal must continue to develop.
	C	Despite losing Lamar Odom for stretches due to suspension and injury, they managed to post their best midway record (20-21) since 1992-93. However, they benefited from a favorable early schedule and still need to prove they can win on the road in the second half.
	A-	The Lakers appeared on their way to valedictorian honors after starting the season 19-3. Then they got bored and managed to lose to cellar-dwellers Heat, Bulls, Grizzlies and Nuggets. Just because they're smarter than the rest of the class doesn't mean they can goof off.
	B-	Given injuries to preseason starters Michael Dickerson and Bryant Reeves, they have held up surprisingly well. Young stars Pau Gasol, Shane Battier and Stromile Swift continue to show improvement. Big road wins at Phoenix and Utah were the first-half highlights.
	D	The Heat looked to be on their way to sitting in the corner with a duncecap after starting the season 5-23. They showed enough improvement late to avoid failure, but they're still in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in Pat Riley's coaching career.
	B	Despite their difficult early schedule and the loss of Glenn Robinson for two weeks (thigh), they managed to post the best record in the Central Division. Still, they continue to be plagued by bouts of lackadaisical play, especially from stars Sam Cassell and Ray Allen.
	A	The model student for the first half of the season, the Timberwolves have managed to get the most out of their ability while using the new rules to their maximum advantage. Moreover, KG and Wally World haven't had one fight in the schoolyard.
	A	Another model student, New Jersey's performance is made more remarkable by the fact that it was a truant last year. But teacher's pet Jason Kidd has taken them from Bart Simpson to Harry Potter with his masterful leadership. They have a shot at winning their first playoff series since 1984.
	F	Injuries to Marcus Camby and Clarence Weatherspoon cannot excuse their pitiful first-half performance. Substitute teacher Don Chaney deserved better. They should be forced into detention or shut down by the Board of Ed. Yawn.
	B	Despite the loss of Grant Hill to season-ending injury (again), Doc Rivers' crew has somehow managed to stay afloat (again). Tracy McGrady is a star pupil, and the rest of the class works hard. Must not get distracted by the sale of the team during the second half.
	D	Poor Professor Brown. He just hasn't yet been able to get this group of misfits, some of whom he selected personally, to work together as a group. It doesn't help that that irascible Iverson kid keeps showing up tardy and shooting rubberbands in class.
	C	Given that they lost their two best defensive players from a year ago, and that they play in the competitive West, their 21-20 mark is about right. However, coach Scott Skiles expects more, and he might be right. Recent home losses to the Grizzlies and Sixers showed a glaring lack of intensity.
	D	Only their recent hot spell has spared them a mid-term F. New coach Maurice Cheeks looked lost early on, while this band of underachievers nearly got him fired. Bonzi Wells takes over Rasheed Wallace's customary role of having to sit in the corner facing the wall.
	A	Not even the absence of Chris Webber for the first month has kept them from posting the NBA's best record. Peja Stojakovic has made the foreign exchange program look good, while Mike Bibby has been the class leader. A gold star for this group.
	B	Tim Duncan has been terrific, and Steve Smith has shot lights out. But former whiz kid David Robinson just hasn't been himself. Overall, they've done a solid job, but their lack of success against other top teams has put their elite status in question.
	A-	Despite season-long trade rumors involving Gary Payton and Vin Baker, they have kept playing and competing. Payton, in particular, has been a model student with little of his usual back-talk. They could be a surprise playoff team in the West.
	C-	A lack of leadership has been glaring during the first half. Antonio Davis and Alvin Williams haven't played as well as last year, and Vince Carter seems unwilling to grab the team by the throat. There's plenty of time to improve this grade, but it's going to take improved effort.
	B-	Rules changes and a rare slow start had them in danger of being flunked at one point, but they've since rebounded to their usual spot near the top of the class. They're still a model in how to get the most out of their ability.They must do a better job of protecting home court, though.
	A-	With 20 wins, they have already surpassed last year's total (19) for the season. Despite limited talent and injuries, they have continued to work. Michael Jordan has changed their attitude and made them a playoff contender, just like he said he would.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.