7 rebounds per and the ldquoBig Aristotlerdquo Shaq 10

Their easy early schedule has given LA a chance to build a lead on the conference. Denver though, is only a game back and the Nuggets may be better this season than their franchise-best 54 wins last year.In the East, Orlando and Boston have taken control, while Cleveland hangs close behind them. Both the Magic and Celtics are 16-4 and both actually have more road wins than at home.No matter who you’re a fan of, an NBA finals between any of the top-four teams would be exciting to say the least. 1. LA LakersLA has the best record in the NBA at 16-3 and are currently on an eight-game winning streak. Pau Gasol is back and dominant, Bynum and Artest are playing strong oh yeah, and that Kobe guy. Kobe hit that amazing buzzer-beater against the Heat on Friday. 2.

Orlando MagicOrlando leads the East and has gone 9-1 in their last 10. Dwight Howard’s 18.1 points and 12.1 rebounds per game are monstrous as he, Vince Carter, and Rashard Lewis are attempting to make a repeat run to the NBA finals. 3. Boston CelticsThe Celtics have hit their stride once again, as they are on a large winning streak of their own at seven games. Boston won all four games this week by an average of 12.5 points, all were on the road against Miami, Charlotte, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City. Kevin Garnett could be working his way into MVP consideration already with his amazing play. 4. Denver NuggetsSure, Denver lost last Sunday to the horrible T’Wolves, but that’s no reason to panic.

Carmelo Anthony was named the Western Conference Player of the Month on Friday and he’s arguably the NBA’s MVP so far. His 30.4 points per game lead the league, add in his six rebounds, 3.4 assists, and the Nuggets 2.5 game lead in the Northwest should be grabbing some national media members’ attention. 5. They dominated Phoenix along with their two other opponents this week. Cleveland’s King LeBron James is leading the Cavaliers with 27.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per and the “Big Aristotle” Shaq (10.9, 7.1) is proving he can still play. 6. Atlanta HawksAtlanta was hot early in this 2009-10 season, as they started 11-2, but the Hawks have come back to earth a bit, going only 6-4 in their last 10. 7. Phoenix SunsThe Suns are the West’s version of the Hawks.

Phoenix surprised their conference with a 10-2 start, but this week the Suns lost three of the four games they played. Only time will tell if they can get their momentum back, and whether the Suns are contenders or pretenders. 8. Dallas MavericksDallas is aging, and their inconsistent record shows it. This week the Mavs beat the struggling 76ers and Nets before losing to the Bobcats and Hawks. 9. Portland TrailblazersPortland is barely hanging onto second in the Northwest division, three games behind Denver, and they just lost Greg Oden again.