Key Reserves: G: Leandro Barbosa, G: Marcus Banks, F: Boris Diaw

Analysis: I moved the Suns up this week because they are healthy and playing very good basketball right now. When this team is on, there is not a team in the NBA that can stop them. Plus Leandro Barbosa has been playing out of his mind. I haven't been as excited about a pure 3-point shooter since B.J. Armstrong (you know, that guy who you put in midway through the first quarter in video games and then leave them in the rest of the game as they shoot 11-14 from downtown while your "starter" rots on the bench).

Key Reserves: G: Jason Terry, G/F: Jerry Stackhouse, C: Erick Dampier

Analysis: The Mavericks moved ahead of the Spurs after their convincing victory over them the other night. I think I have the answer to the question I posed last week about Devin Harris' contract extension...Jason Terry. Confused?? Let me explain. After starting all but 3 games for Dallas over the past two seasons and averaging 16.9 ppg on 42.5% shooting, Terry is thriving coming off the bench. Through eight games, Terry is averaging 21.8 points on a remarkable 56.8 FG%. Almost more amazing is the fact that he's shooting 53.7% from behind the three point line. Keep an eye on him

Key Reserves: G: Manu Ginobili, G: Brent Barry, C: Francisco Elson

Analysis: I'm pretty low on the Spurs after back to back lackluster performances. I know it's got to be tough playing Dallas and Houston back to back but I still expected more out of the defending champs. Make no mistake, they're still an elite team, probably just a little tired.

Key Reserves: G: Bobby Jackson, F: Rasual Butler, C: Hilton Armstrong

Analysis: This team has been a huge surprise. They sign Mo Pete, get Peja back and the rest of their team has continued to mature. David West has been playing huge for them down low and outside of Steve Nash, Chris Paul is the game's best point guard.

Key Reserves: G: Carlos Arroyo, G: Keyon Dooling, F: Pat Garrity

Analysis: Well, at least so far it looks like running Darko out of town and throwing all that money at Rashard Lewis was a good idea. I'm not sure how happy they'll be about it in three or four years but today's NBA is a "win now" league (cough Boston cough). This team will only become deeper when J.J. Redick recovers from his back injury so don't look for the Magic to fall off. Also, Dwight Howard looks unstoppable this year. Last week he became the fastest player to ever reach 3000 career rebounds. This guy is a monster.

Key Reserves: G: Jordan Farmar, F: Vladimir Radmanovic, C: Andrew Bynum

Analysis: Watch out for the Lakers! Could it possibly be that this team has...depth?? Last night I went over to my buddy's house and watched the Pistons-Lakers game and was amazed. Not for the usual, I-Can't-Believe-Kobe-Just-Did-That, reason either. I was amazed because Jordan Farmar was all over the court making plays and hitting shots. Andrew Bynum showed that he is capable of banging down low against a physical team. Lamar Odom showed that he's still got some talent and made some nice plays. At one point I turned to my buddy and said, "Ya know...If Farmar can keep playing like this all of a sudden the Lakers have, Kobe, Odom, Walton, Farmar, Bynum...that sounds pretty good." He just nodded his agreement. I like this years Laker team, especially if they can win a game against the Pistons in which, as Kobe said after the game, he couldn't throw a ball in the ocean if he was sitting on a boat.

Key Reserves: G: Gordon Giricek, F: Matt Harpring, F: Paul Millsap

Analysis: The Jazz would have been higher in the rankings if it weren't for their collapse against the Cavs. I know it's tough playing against LeBron but they shouldn't have lost to Cleveland. By the way, can you imagine if Boozer had stayed in Cleveland?? Now that would be a beast in the East..

Key Reserves: G: Mike James, G/F: Bonzi Wells, F: Luis Scola

Analysis: The Rockets are a good team but losing Tracy McGrady is enough to knock any team down a few spots. Hopefully for Houston (and my fantasy team), McGrady returns soon. I have been impressed with how they've played in his absence though. Yao has really developed into a dynamic player and he has one of the softest touches of any player in the league.

Key Reserves: G: J.R. Smith, G: Linas Kleiza, F: Nene Hilario

Analysis: The Nuggets just ooze explosiveness. They can light up the score board every night and somehow have the leagues reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Their biggest problem has to do with consistency. They aren't really a young team so it should develop as the season goes on but if it doesn't then it looks like they'll be one and done in the playoffs again.

Key Reserves: G: Ronald Murray, F: Jarvis Hayes, F: Jason Maxiell

Analysis: Not having Chauncey really hurt the Pistons against the Lakers. The good news is that Aaron Afflalo has been looking good off the bench and Rodney Stuckey should be ready to play soon. Jason Maxiell is a beast too. I would not want to try and box him out. Do you think we can get him to play Paul Millsap in a game of one on one?

Key Reserves: G: Devin Brown, G: Sasha Pavlovic, F: Donyell Marshall

Analysis: Well Larry Hughes is hurt again but LeBron James has elevated his game to a new level. He is now able to beat teams completely by himself. I am Brad Vipperman...and I wouldn't mind being LeBron James.

Key Reserves: G: Jose Calderon, G: Carlos Delfino, F: Jamario Moon

Analysis: It's been hard to get a read on Toronto so far. At times they look unstoppable and other times they look mediocre at best. Just to clear up what I said last week about Candace Parker, Anthony Parker's sister. Apparently she's already engaged to Shelden Williams, so no babies will be made by her and LeBron. Oh well, it was worth a shot.

Key Reserves: G: Cuttino Mobley, G: Brevin Knight F: Al Thornton (R),

Analysis: The more I watch this team the more confused I am about how they are winning games. They have a team full of number two options and an aging point guard who's able to turn back the clock once a week. Bring back Elton Brand however and I think they could make some noise.

Key Reserves: G: Matt Carroll, G: Jeff McInnis, F: Jared Dudley (R),

Analysis: I like this team. I think as far as sleepers go, they could do some damage in the east, especially if they made the playoffs. If you're looking for a team who could pull off a first round upset, much like Golden State did last year, I think the Bobcats could do it. Then again, that would imply that they are not the higher seed in the first round which is the direction they're heading in right now.

Key Reserves: G: Antonio Daniels, F: Darius Songaila, F: Andray Blatche

Analysis: With three straight wins, the Wizards have apparently hit their groove. The knock on the Wizards is that they play no defense, and, in all honesty, they don't. However, I really like the way that Brendan Haywood has been playing this year. He's always had the potential to be a solid interior defender and it looks like he may have finally figured it out.

Key Reserves: G: Charlie Bell, G: Bobby Simmons, F: Charlie Villanueva

AnalysisThe Bucks are another team that is extremely difficult to figure out. Bogut is playing well and Yi seems to be adjusting to the NBA. I just don't really see anything that stands out one way or the other. Looking back though, I wonder if they're still glad they made that T.J Ford for Charlie Villanueva trade. I wouldn't be.

Key Reserves: G: Salim Stoudamire, G: Tyronn Lue, F: Josh Childress

Analysis: Josh Smith is becoming a beast. He always been able to fill up a stat sheet but this year he's starting to score more. Joe Johnson is rock solid and doesn't quite get all the respect he deserves. By the way, I'm glad Tyronn Lue is still playing. He's a cool guy. When I was 12, I went to the Rainbow Classic (a Christmas college basketball tournament hosted by the University of Hawaii) and watched Lue destroy some team in the game before Hawaii's. The next day was the Hawaii-Nebraska (where Lue went to school) game. Me and my friend got there early and when Nebraska came out of the locker room for shoot around we got Tyronn Lue's attention. He came over and talked to us for a few minutes, gave us an autograph and was just one of the coolest basketball players I've met. Then he went out and dropped like 42 on Anthony Carter, but Hawaii still won the game. I wish him all the best.

Key Reserves: G/F: Wally Szczerbiak, F: Jeff Green (R), C: Robert Swift

Analysis: How about Kevin Durant?? How about that game winning shot?? Honestly, sometimes the ability to hit clutch shots is the only thing that separates good players from great ones and Durant is showing that he wants to be great. I'm actually liking the Sonics a little bit. They're a team that scores a lot of points and if you're not careful they can put you in a hole that's too deep to crawl out of.  Plus they are a good late-game team because they have quick guards and good shooters.  One more player to keep an eye on is Dominique, err, Damien Wilkins.  He looks like he just woke up last week and realized that he was related to 'Nique and better start playing like it.  He had to have been, by far, the most added player in fantasy basketball leagues this past week.

Key Reserves: G: Louis Williams, F: Kyle Korver, F: Rodney Carney

Analysis: Well at least we know this team won't quit. I was watching the Blazers blow them out at home and thinking that this one was in the bag. Next thing I knew the 76ers had crept back in it and kept clawing away until, miraculously, they won. I still think that the Sixers need to make a trade in order to set themselves up for the future because as of now, they're pretty much stuck in neutral.

Key Reserves: G: Daequan Cook, F: Penny Hardaway, C: Alonzo Mourning

Analysis: Dwayne Wade is back and it's not a minute too soon. He's already proved that he can carry Miami to wins, and like I said last week, his presence on the court makes everyone else play better. Also, he's not afraid to be vocal, as evidenced by his criticism of Shaq's effort so far. Keep an eye on Miami.

Key Reserves: G: Kyle Lowry, G: Mike Conley Jr. (R), F: Stromile Swift

Analysis: Memphis is a lost team in the NBA. They get hardly any national attention and yet this team has one of the best young nucleus' in the league (Conley, Gay, Milicic). I wish they were on TV more because I'd like to see them play.

Key Reserves: G: Mickael Pietrus, G: Marco Belinelli (R) F: Matt Barnes

Analysis: It appears the Warriors have finally woken up, and it's about time. This team has way too much talent to continue to struggle. They're athletic, they're physical and they can all shoot. And when they are on they're tough to beat. I'm glad that Baron Davis is healthy again too, he's one of the most talented players in the NBA, at any position.

Key Reserves: G: Chris Duhon, F: Andres Nocioni, F: Joe Smith

Analysis: The Bulls just can't seem to hit their shots this year. They live and die by hitting shots. Thus, so far they've been dying. There is hope ahead however, as the Bulls have played well in their last couple of games. I still don't think this team misses the playoffs.

Key Reserves: F: Shawne Williams, F: Troy Murphy, F: Ike Diogu

Analysis: Indiana has lost six straight games and looks downright sorry. Jermaine O'Neal isn't doing anything, Jamaal Tinsley needed to be replaced years ago and everyone is isn't picking up the slack. I'm a Jim O'Brien fan but he's got to figure out a way to get some wins, soon, before he finds himself in hot water. Man I wish Bird still coached.

Key Reserves: G: Francisco Garcia, G: Quincy Douby, F: Mikki Moore

Analysis: The reason Sac-Town is at 28 is because they won a close game against the Knicks the other night.

Key Reserves: G: Nate Robinson, F: David Lee, F: Renaldo Balkman

Analysis: The reason the Knicks are at 29 is because they lost a close game against the Kings the other night.

Key Reserves: G: Marko Jaric, G: Greg Buckner, F: Craig Smith

Analysis: I love watching McCants and Jefferson...umm...if you aint got anything nice to say, don't say nothing at all so...that's all I got.