Nba Western Conference

Sporting News, The, Feb 12, 2001

WHO'S HOT

It has been a season of fits and starts for Spurs PF Tim Duncan, but his latest hot streak appears to be a permanent return to the form he exhibited before offseason knee surgery. After scoring a season-low 8 points on December 30, Duncan averaged 23.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2,8 blocks with 52.5 percent shooting in his next 13 games. Entering the weekend, the Spurs won five straight.

WHO'S NOT

SF Lamar Odom might not be progressing as quickly as the Clippers hoped. His statistics are almost identical to the ones he posted as a rookie, and his recent slump coincided with the team's nine-game losing streak. During the skid, Odom averaged only 15 points on 36.5 percent shooting and committed 3.2 turnovers a game. On a team that needs a leader, he hasn't been one.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME

If lakers C Shaquille O'Neal doesn't suit up for the All-Star Game, finding a Western Conference center to replace him might be tough. Spurs C David Robinson already is in, so the next step down is a doozy. With the Sonics' Patrick Ewing and the Rockets' Hakeem Olajuwon playing more like antiques than All-Stars, rookie Marc Jackson of the Warriors would be the sensible last-minute call-up.

TSN's Power Poll

Rk.   Team            W-L     Comment

 1.   Philadelphia    35-12   76ers started out 22-2 vs.
                              East, are 3-3 since.

 2.   Sacramento      31-12   Reducing Williams' role has
                              paid off for the Kings.

 3.   Portland        34-15   Blazers' former retiree is
                              better than most teams' sixth
                              men.

 4.   Utah            31-15   Marshall cutting into Malone's
                              share of the offense.

 5.   San Antonio     29-15   Spurs playing their best ball
                              of the season.

 6.   L.A. Lakers     29-16   Kobe finding out winning is
                              difficult without Shaq.

 7.   Minnesota       31-18   Suddenly, home-court advantage
                              in first round is within reach.

 8.   Dallas          30-18   Mavs' stars could teach takers
                              something about selflessness.

 9.   Milwaukee       28-17   Win over Nuggets prevented what
                              could have become a tailspin.

10.   New York        27-17   Getting Harrington a coup for
                              Knicks.

11.   Miami           29-19   Expect Heat to at least scare
                              76ers before it's all over.

12.   Phoenix         26-19   Suns should bring back KJ before
                              Skiles considers lacing up.

13.   Denver          27-21   As feared, Nuggets' faults are
                              beginning to show on the road.

14.   Seattle         27-23   Ewing showing unexpected signs
                              of life.

15.   Charlotte       25-23   Blaming D.C. is easy, but
                              Hornets' slide goes much deeper.

16.   Toronto         24-23   Peterson taking some of the
                              tarnish off this year's rookie
                              class.

17.   Orlando         23-23   Double-OT win over 76ers could
                              propel Magic far.

18.   Houston         22-25   It's sad to see Olajuwon go out
                              like this.

19.   Indiana         21-26   O'Neal, not Mutombo, should be
                              an All-Star.

20.   Cleveland       20-25   Every time a Cavalier starts
                              playing well (Murray), he gets
                              hurt.

21.   Boston          20-26   Suddenly, Celtics are fun to
                              watch.

22.   Detroit         18-30   Losing twice in one week to
                              Celtics is no way to catch them.

23.   Atlanta         16-30   Mutombo's breakout nights make
                              his 8 ppg all the more puzzling.

24.   Golden State    14-32   Upcoming home-and-home with
                              Grizzlies has Warriors salivating.

25.   L.A. Clippers   15-33   Poll likes Maggette in an
                              uninspiring slam-dunk field.

26.   New Jersey      14-34   Stylish gray road jerseys only
                              thing Nets have going for them.

27.   Vancouver       13-34   Win over Nets not enough to
                              pull Grizzlies ahead of them.

28.   Washington      12-36   Even after five straight wins,
                              Wizards still at No. 28.

20.   Chicago          6-40   February schedule should give
                              Bulls a few chances to win.

Through Saturday's games. Poll determined by TSN editors.

Comments by Dan Graf.