From Dennis Velasco,
Your Guide to Basketball.
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16. Golden State Warriors (9-8; 12): The Warriors lost two games, but they did beat the San Antonio Spurs to begin the week. There's some rumblings now that SG Jason Richardson, who is obviously not the same player as he was last season is becoming expendable thanks to the play of PG/SG Monta Ellis.

17. Toronto Raptors (7-10; 26): They had a strong 3-1 record for the week, with their only loss being at Dallas. As I said last week, the Raptors will start getting into the groove after a long West Coast trip the past couple of weeks.

18. Miami Heat (7-9; 22): Dwyane Wade is doing everything for this team. Nuff said.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-9; 15): Their three losses last week were to the Mavs and Rockets on back-to-back nights on the road and to the Nuggets. And there was a Mike James sighting against Philadelphia last night.

20. Los Angeles Clippers (8-8; 16): The Clippers started off strong, but fell off a bit, including last week when they went 2-3. However, they did beat the East's best in t the Magic last night. Could that get them revved up to show that last season's playoff run wasn't a fluke?

21. Atlanta Hawks (7-8; 20): Went 2-2 last week. C Zaza Pachulia is getting in on the production party as he averaged a double-double last week (13 points and 10 boards). What happened to PG Speedy Claxton being the starter?

22. Washington Wizards (6-10; 27): The Wizards went 2-1 last week and they're only going to get better as they started off similarly last season and they ended up being a 42-40 team that was thisclose to advancing to the Eastern Conference semis, but LeBron James messed up those plans.

23. Seattle Supersonics (7-11; 19): The Sonics had a tough schedule last week. Will Nick Collison now starting at center change the losing ways? Probably not.

24. Milwaukee Bucks (6-10; 28): I don't get people that say Michael Redd is not a special player because all he does is score. Last time I checked, the team that scores the most points wins. In any case, even Kobe Bryant couldn't stop Redd from scoring 45 points last week in a win over the Lakers in L.A. Ask Kobe if Redd is a special player.

25. Portland Trailblazers (6-8; 6-12; 18): The Blazers have lost five in a row and get to play at Detroit to try to end the losing. At least Zach Randolph continues to play well and LaMarcus Aldridge is showing some flashes as a rook. Now we're all just waiting for Brandon Roy to strut his stuff. And, maybe, just maybe the winning will come along with all that young talent developing.

26. Charlotte Bobcats (3-10; 5-12; 29): The Bobcats have beaten the Cavaliers, Spurs, Nets, and ended the Pistons eight-game winning streak. So, why can't they beat the more average teams? Oh, yeah, the other team the Bobcats beat? The Celtics...

27. Boston Celtics (5-8; 5-10; 21): ...it's not easy being a Celtics fan these days. Not easy at all.

28. New York Knicks (5-10; 6-13; 24): However, it's not any easier being a Knicks fan. However, C Eddy Curry has scored at least 20 points in six straight games. Maybe he'll actually be worth those draft picks. NAH!

29. Philadelphia 76ers (5-8; 5-11; 23): The Sixers lost an effective PF Shavlik Randolph and now have to start PF Chris Webber. Will the dysfunction continue? Oh yeah.

30. Memphis Grizzlies (3-10; 4-12; 30): Last week's win at Denver was a total shocker! However, some are saying that the Grizz may as well just lose and put themselves in a better position to win the Greg Oden lottery. I don't head coach Mike Fratello will let that happen. But then again, who knows how long he has his job for.