THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

RANKINGS, COMMENTS (WITH LAST WEEK’S RANK)

THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGING

1. BOSTON (52-13)

Most wins since ’92 with Bird, McHale, Parish, Rick Fox and Brian Shaw. (2)

2. NEW ORLEANS (44-20)

They can’t keep this up, they can’t keep this up -- ... oh, I give up. (7)

3. LAKERS (45-20)

Bad news is Pau’s Gasol’s ankle. Worse news is Andrew’s Bynum’s deferred comeback. (1)

4. UTAH (44-23)

Winning in Boston puts a nice dent in reputation as lame road team. (5)

5. HOUSTON (45-20)

If they Rockets don’t lose one soon, Tracy McGrady will already be out of first round. (6)

6. DETROIT (47-18)

Unfortunately when they Pistons ease up, they really ease up. Just went 3-2. (4)

7. SAN ANTONIO (44-22)

Maybe last hurrah was last year: Went 0-3 with 25-point loss to Hornets. (3)

PLAYOFF-READY

8. DALLAS (43-23)

Panic subsides: Went 4-0 but haven’t hasn’t beaten winning team with Kidd. (10)

9. PHOENIX (44-22)

Panic subsides: Went 5-0 but 10 of next 14 are on the road. (11)

10. ORLANDO (44-24)

Coach-of-the-year candidate: Stan Van Gundy, who took them here from 40-42. (9)

11. GOLDEN STATE (41-24)

Schedule advantage: eight at home, nine on road to Denver’s 7-10. (8)

12. DENVER (39-26)

Nuggets are 18-14 since Jan. 6; while Warriors are were going 21-9. (12)

13. CLEVELAND (37-29)

With Ilgauskas, Wallace hurting, they’re 7-5 since big trade. (13)

14. PHILADELPHIA (33-34)

High-scoring new 76ers just went 15-4, beat Spurs and won in Detroit. (15)

15. PORTLAND (35-32)

Too late for this season, but Oden is back practicing with them. (14)

16. TORONTO (34-31)

Won’t hurry Bosh back since they Raptors can quit now and still make playoffs. (16)

17. WASHINGTON (33-32)

Fittingly, Butler back after missing 16 games as Wizards they go back over .500. (17)

18. SACRAMENTO (29-36)

Martin fumes about playing time, has it out with Theus, gets career-high 48. (18

MEDIOCRE AT BEST

19. NEW JERSEY (28-38)

Stretch drive: still in No. 8 after losing six of last eight. (20)

20. ATLANTA (27-38)

Stretch drive: Half-game out of No. 8 after losing 14 of last 19. (21)

21. CHICAGO (25-39)

Zany as he is, 5-6 when Noah starts; he averages 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds. (19)

FOULED UP BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION

22. CHARLOTTE (24-41)

They’d like to go small, but Gerald Wallace doesn’t like power forward. (22)

23. INDIANA (25-41)

O’Neal, Tinsley, who’ve been out five weeks, may never suit up here again. (23)

24. MILWAUKEE (23-43)

Bogut says teams know if Bucks fall behind, “the game’s usually over.” (24)

25. CLIPPERS (21-44)

Real trouble is when Tim Thomas says you’re not playing right way. (25)

26. SEATTLE (16-50)

Gets it: Durant cuts three-pointers way down, averages 21, shoots 49% this month. (28)

27. NEW YORK (19-46)

Magic touch: Dolan extended Isiah a year ago with team No. 8; 23-61 since. (26)

28. MEMPHIS (15-50)

Next prospect who can be had cheap. No. 3 point guard Lowry. (27)

29. MINNESOTA (15-50)

Trying to happen: Foye missed first three months, averaging 16 this one. (29)

BLACK HOLE OF MIAMI

30. MIAMI (11-53)

Anyone can guide them Heat to last place, so Riley leaves to scout collegians. (30)