Kevin Durant isn’t quite LeBron, but he’s closer than ever. And today, the Thunder are the best team in the league because of it.

The Spurs were supposed to be done, like, three years ago. But they won 33 of their first 44. Credit shrewd drafting, timely free-agent acquisitions, outstanding coaching and anti-aging supplements Tim Duncan has to be taking.

Recent trade allows them to hang on to both Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph. Lifting that dark cloud of suspense should allow team’s two best players to perform more freely. Watch out.

Have lost a little bit of their edge since Amar’e Stoudemire returned. It’s just a coincidence, but if the Knicks can move him at the trade deadline, they might.

Everyone is playing better since P.J. Carlesimo took over for Avery Johnson. That’s especially true of Joe Johnson. Suddenly, the Nets are dreaming of East’s No. 1 seed again.

A lot of people sitting around and waiting for them to take a nosedive. But that may have already happened with all those road games at the start of season. Best may still be yet to come for this balanced, deep club.

Figuring out what to do with impending free agents Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap is what this season is now all about. Won’t be easy, considering those are Utah's two best players.

Playing just as hard under Jim Boylen as they did under Scott Skiles. Unfortunately for the Bucks, results are pretty much the same: Win one, lose one, and don’t really go anywhere special.

Never know what you’re going to get from this mostly up-and-coming unit. But home losses to the likes of Cleveland and Washington sure don’t give you much hope for the rest of this season

Well, Chris Johnson sure seems like a find via 10-day contract, huh? Unfortunately, neither he nor anyone else on this team is Kevin Love. Until he’s back and healthy, Wolves don’t really stand much of a chance.

Well, guess they still have to make another big trade. Time for Dwight Howard or Pau Gasol to go. Otherwise, Lakers may go down as biggest bust in league history.

Beginning to sound more and more like it’s Kings’ final season in Sacramento. Read: Californians should catch DeMarcus Cousins while they can.

Should be active near the trading deadline. Took them 10 years to recover after losing Shaquille O’Neal. Shouldn’t take nearly that long after losing Dwight Howard. Still, Magic have a little ways to go.

Different team since John Wall returned, with road wins vs. Denver and Portland (and five wins in seven games) offering evidence. And who would’ve guessed Randy Wittman would still be coach?

The Suns fired their coach without already having an interim in place (job eventually went to Lindsey Hunter). Then Jermaine O’Neal reportedly got into a shouting match with GM Lance Blanks. Yeah, we can call Suns a total disaster now.