It’s still early, but it looks like the Eastern Conference might be closing the gap a bit on the big bad West. Through Sunday, the East was 23-16 against the West this season. Already the Celtics and Pacers each have beaten the Timberwolves, while the Hawks and Pistons each have topped the Jazz.
Obviously, the numbers are skewed because the Lakers and Kings have been banged up. L.A. is 0-3 against the East so far, losing at Cleveland, Boston and Washington without Shaq. Similarly, the Kings lost at Miami, Orlando and New York.
But the rise of several midlevel Eastern teams -- combined with early struggles in Utah, Minnesota, Portland and even San Antonio -- seem to have balanced the field a little bit. No longer are Eastern teams just rolling over against their Western counterparts. For now at least, those "NBA Least" jokes should be put on hold.
| SI's Marty Burns |
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| Rank |
LW |
|
Team |
| 1 |
2 |
 |
Dallas Mavericks
Winning big in Big D: The Mavs' first six wins have been by an average of 18.7 points. Even Shawn Bradley has helped picked up the slack for the injured Raef LaFrentz (ankle). They might lose fewer games than the Cowboys. |
| 2 |
4 |
 |
Sacramento Kings
The Kings went 0-3 on a recent Eastern trip and lost Scot Pollard for 4-6 weeks with a back injury. So what? Chris Webber is back, and Bobby Jackson has filled in ably for Mike Bibby. |
| 3 |
1 |
 |
New Jersey Nets
Jason Kidd continues his early MVP-caliber play, but their lackadaisical team defense cost them in losses to the Bucks and Bulls. At least they can’t blame it all on Keith Van Horn. |
| 4 |
6 |
 |
Indiana Pacers
Boom Baby! At 5-1, the Pacers are off to their best start since the ABA’s 1971-72 squad of Mel Daniels, Roger Brown and George McGinnis. And they’re doing it without Reggie Miller. |
| 5 |
7 |
 |
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons had been allowing only 76.7 points per game, tops in the NBA, before Saturday’s blowout loss in Dallas. But can anybody other than Rip Hamilton and Cliff Robinson score consistently? |
| 6 |
14 |
 |
New Orleans Hornets
Hurricane warning? The Hornets’ perfect 4-0 start at home could be a sign that Jamal Mashburn likes his new city. Either that or visiting teams are spending too much time at Pat O’Brien’s. |
| 7 |
8 |
 |
Orlando Magic
So far so good for Grant Hill’s comeback. Through his first six games, he averaged 18.8 points (on 59.7 percent shooting), 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists in just 27.8 minutes. |
| 8 |
5 |
 |
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs got routed (and allegedly spat upon) by Bonzi Wells and the Blazers at home Saturday night. Upcoming games with the T’wolves, Nets and Sixers might only make them feel worse. |
| 9 |
3 |
 |
Seattle SuperSonics
Desmond Mason, aka "The Cowboy," rides to the rescue with a last-second block to save the victory in Miami. The Pacific Division leaders are now looking forward to a Friday showdown with the Kings at Key Arena. |
| 10 |
17 |
 |
Boston Celtics
After bad losses to the Bulls and Wizards, the Celtics have rebounded to win four straight. Antoine Walker made nine 3-pointers in the win over the T’wolves after making just 9-of-39 in his previous five games. |
| 11 |
12 |
 |
Philadelphia 76ers
Todd MacCulloch says he now wants his surname to be pronounced "MacCull-uck." Larry Brown would call him "Kareem" if he’d move his feet on defense once in a while. |
| 12 |
10 |
 |
Minnesota Timberwolves
The T'wolves blew a late lead against the Celtics to suffer their first home loss of the season. A bigger worry now is Wally Szczerbiak’s sore left knee, especially with road games at the Spurs and Hornets up next. |
| 13 |
19 |
 |
Phoenix Suns
Stephon Marbury (35.5 percent shooting) is still struggling to get comfortable in the Suns' new motion offense, but their D has been solid. Wins over the Hawks and Blazers last week should boost their confidence. |
| 14 |
9 |
 |
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks lost at the Kings on Sunday night to make it three straight defeats (along with the Suns and Jazz) on their current West Coast swing. The good news? They might not have to face Shaq on Tuesday at Staples. |
| 15 |
11 |
 |
Houston Rockets
The Rockets' once-depleted frontcourt suddenly looks crowded as Maurice Taylor rejoins the team and Kenny Thomas (20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists vs. the Warriors) comes on strong. |
| 16 |
27 |
 |
Milwaukee Bucks
Victories over the Knicks, Nets and Sixers last week have George Karl breathing easier. But Tim Thomas (11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds) hasn’t yet made anybody forget Big Dog. |
| 17 |
16 |
 |
Washington Wizards
Remember when Michael Jordan used to beat up on Jerry Stackhouse like a kid brother on the playground? Now it’s Stack who’s in command (see his game-winning dunk vs. the Lakers). |
| 18 |
26 |
 |
Portland Trail Blazers
Spitting images: Bonzi Wells (37.9 percent) and Damon Stoudamire (31.3 percent) aren't hitting their marks so far this season. Then again, this team knows all about not meeting expectorations. |
| 19 |
15 |
 |
L.A. Lakers
Shaq is expected back this week -- and just in time, too. Five losses in seven games have the defending champs edgy, and Kobe Bryant’s right arm is in danger of falling off. |
| 20 |
18 |
 |
L.A. Clippers
Elton Brand and Michael Olowakandi have been getting the job done in the low post. But turnovers (18.4 oin their first five games) and shot selection have been the team's weaknesses. |
| 21 |
23 |
 |
Utah Jazz
Back from illness, Karl Malone bags 25 points, 11 boards, seven assists and three steals in Utah's win over the Hawks. Next up for the Mailman and Co.: five straight on the road vs. Eastern teams. |
| 22 |
13 |
 |
Chicago Bulls
No kidding! Rookie Jay Williams records his first triple-double (26 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) as the Nets join the Celtics and Hornets on Chicago’s list of upset victims. |
| 23 |
20 |
 |
Miami Heat
At just 1-4 through Monday, they’re off to the worst start in Pat Riley’s eight years in South Beach. The good news is that three of the four losses were by five points or less. |
| 24 |
22 |
 |
Cleveland Cavaliers
Memo to Tyrone Hill: Criticizing your point guard is not a good way to get touches. Besides, it’s not Bimbo Coles’ fault that team management traded Andre Miller. |
| 25 |
21 |
 |
Toronto Raptors
Vince Carter, resting his sore knee, is not expected back for another month. Antonio Davis (rib muscle) is also out. Until then, it’s the Voshon Lenard Show. Which is not good. |
| 26 |
24 |
 |
Golden State Warriors
From the Maybe I Should Have Stayed In School Dept.: In his first seven games, Mike Dunleavy Jr. hit just 3-of-26 shots (11.5 percent). He shot 47.5 percent in his three years at Duke. |
| 27 |
29 |
 |
New York Knicks
Latrell Sprewell hopes to return for the Knicks' Saturday game against the Sixers. But how long will he remain in New York? Rumors of a trade to Chicago for Jalen Rose are swirling. |
| 28 |
25 |
 |
Denver Nuggets
On Doug Moe Night, they managed to score just 63 points in a loss to the Pistons. Moe’s teams used to score that many in a half. At least they bounced back with win Saturday over Memphis. |
| 29 |
28 |
 |
Memphis Grizzlies
Drew Gooden has been about their only bright spot. Through seven games, he was first among rookies in scoring (16.6 points on 46.5 percent shooting) and third in rebounds (6.3). |
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