With the NBA season at around the 20-game mark, I thought I would take a few moments and give my brief thoughts on each team. I will divide the teams by conference, going from worst to best by record.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

15. Minnesota Timberwolves
It’s no surprise to find the Wolves in the cellar of the West. What is surprising, however, is Al Jefferson’s decline. He’s averaging 16 and 9 so far this season, down from last year’s 23 and 11.

14. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have improved little since they parted ways with proverbial head-case Stephen Jackson. They better hope that published reports of Monta Ellis wanting out are unfounded.

13. Memphis Grizzlies
It’s not a good sign when the most newsworthy item about your season is regarding a player who is no longer with your team.

12. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have been a surprise so far this year. Rookie PG Tyreke Evans has been a huge part of their early-season success. He’s averaging 20 and 5.

11. L.A. Clippers
The Clippers are right around where most expected them to be. Those same people also expected better than 16 and 7 from Baron Davis, however.

10. New Orleans Hornets
Despite the Hornets’ early-season struggle, all-star PG Chris Paul is having another great season with averages of 22 and 10.

9. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have been one of the biggest disappointments so far. Injuries have hurt them, yes. Spurs fans are hoping that this veteran team is saving their big push for after the trade deadline.

8. Oklahoma City Thunder
All-Star forward Kevin Durant is one of the league leaders in PPG with an average of 28. The Thunder have played solid basketball so far this season and look to be in contention for a playoff spot.

7. Portland Trail Blazers
The Oden loss was heartbreaking, but Portland has more than enough talent to contend for a playoff spot. The Andre Miller trade chatter is interesting to follow, however.

6. Utah Jazz
Despite the Carlos Boozer trade rumors, the Jazz have performed well, including Boozer. He is having another solid season with averages of 20 and 11. Deron Williams is also having a great year, averaging ten assists.

5. Houston Rockets
How the Rockets are four games above .500 and fifth in the West without T-Mac or Yao is beyond me. Trevor Ariza has been huge for them, but no one predicted he would be this huge.

4. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have cooled a bit since their red-hot start, but their success so far has been impressive none the less. Steve Nash seems to be turning back the clock with 18 and 11 averages.

3. Denver Nuggets
Carmelo Anthony developing into a legitimate MVP candidate is the biggest reason for the Nuggets continued success this season, even after many analysts expected them to slip a bit.

2. Dallas Mavericks
Dirk is leading the Mavs with 28 and 9 averages. Shawn Mario has been a welcome addition. Jason Kidd is having a solid year. The Mavs are doing everything right, but are doing it quietly and under the radar.

1. L.A. Lakers
The Lakers are the perennial juggernaut of the entire league. Kobe Bryant is having an outstanding year, averaging 29 PPG on .493 shooting. Ron Artest has filled in the Ariza spot nicely and Gasol has been playing well.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

15. New Jersey Nets
The 2-21 Nets have little reason to smile. They have lacked passion and intensity all year. The continued emergence of Brook Lopez has been the lone bright spot.

14. Philadelphia 76ers
Despite their early struggles, the Sixers are hoping the AI homecoming will provide the team the spark it needs.

13. New York Knicks
There really isn’t anything to say about the Knicks that hasn’t been said in the past two or three seasons. The countdown to free agency is on.

12. Washington Wizards
The Wizards have been one of the biggest disappointments so far this season. Even with the return of Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards find themselves last in their division.

11. Indiana Pacers
Danny Granger’s development has been the story in Indiana. Actually, it has been the only story.

10. Chicago Bulls
Even though they have suffered with injuries all season and have struggled to come up with an answer for the loss of Ben Gordon to free agency, many analysts expect more from these Bulls.

9. Toronto Raptors
Even with the Raptors disappointing season so far, fans are probably more worried about the possibility of Chris Bosh wearing a different uniform next season.

8. Charlotte Bobcats
Gerald Wallace leading the league in rebounds (12.4 per game) is one of the biggest surprises so far this season. Larry Brown’s club has played good ball so far, and even kicked it up a notch with the Stephen Jackson acquisition.

7. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons should feel lucky to be this high. Richard Hamilton hasn’t even finished one full game this year, Tayshaun Prince has been out for a few weeks now, and off-season acquisitions Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva are banged up.

6. Milwaukee Bucks
Even though he has struggled over the past few games, rookie PG Brandon Jennings has been the talk of the league this year. Most see him as a potential future all-star.

5. Miami Heat
Dwyane Wade is having another spectacular season with averages of 27 and 6. Jermaine O’Neal has also been solid, but still a shell of his former self.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Shaq has hardly been the boost the Cavs were hoping for. LeBron, however, has been his usual brilliant self with averages of 28, 7, and 8.

3. Atlanta Hawks
Much like the Suns, the Hawks have cooled a bit from their hot start. Still, they’re having a great year due to solid player from the entire team.

2. Orlando Magic
Vince Carter’s numbers may be slightly down, but he has helped the Magic maintain Eastern Conference notoriety. They do appear to miss Turkoglu at least a little bit, however.

1. Boston Celtics
Boston has once again reclaimed its lead at the top of the East. The big three have all played well. Rasheed Wallace has been a welcomed addition.