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The 2009-10 NBA season is less than a week old, and there already appears to be a team that's a cut above the rest.
The Boston Celtics have had to play four games in five days, winning them all in impressive fashion, the latest being a 97-87 victory in New Orleans Sunday night.
KG and Co. defeated LeBron James and the Cavs in Cleveland in the season opener and then destroyed Charlotte and Chicago.
With the Lakers' loss to Dallas last Friday, the '09 champs are now looking up at the '08 champs.
1. Boston Celtics (4-0, Last Week: 2)
Boston's new $55 million man, Rajon Rondo, is averaging 11.8 assists per game through the first four. Does this team have a single weakness?
2. Los Angeles Lakers (2-1, Last Week: 1)
It'll be tough for the Lakers to keep up with the Celtics as long as Pau Gasol is out of the lineup.
3. Orlando Magic (3-0, Last Week: 3)
A relatively-easy first month's schedule should help the new-look Magic work out all the potential issues that come with having several new key players.
They've shown no signs of struggle thus far, with easy wins over Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Toronto.
4. Denver Nuggets (3-0, Last Week: 6)
Carmelo Anthony's 41-point assault in a 97-94 victory in Portland signifies that he and the Nuggets aren't ready to relinquish their divisional crown to the young Blazers just yet.
5. San Antonio Spurs (2-1, Last Week: 3)
We'll see what the Spurs are made of when they travel Utah and Portland Thursday and Friday, two of the toughest places to play in the league.
6. Dallas Mavericks (2-1, Last Week: 7)
After a disappointing season-opening loss on their home floor to the Wizards Tuesday night, the spiffy-looking Mavs rebounded with a resounding win over the Lakers at Staples Friday night.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (2-2, Last Week: 5)
Cleveland lost just two games all of last season at home.
They're already halfway there less than a week into 2009-10.
8. Atlanta Hawks (2-1, Last Week: 10)
After beating the much-improved Wizards Friday night, Atlanta was impressively able to hang with the Lakers until late in the fourth quarter Sunday.
9. Phoenix Suns (3-0, Last Week: 12)
What better way to start your season than with games against the Clippers, Warriors, and Timberwolves?
10. Portland Trail Blazers (2-2, Last Week: 8)
Greg Oden is averaging 10 rebounds and about three blocks per game so far.
If he can gain more confidence and focus on the offensive end, the Blazers will be a very scary team down the road.
11. Miami Heat (3-0, Last Week: 18)
D-Wade and company are probably the most surprising unbeaten team in the league.
They're about to be tested, however, with their next three games coming against Phoenix, Washington, and Denver.
12. Washington Wizards (2-1, Last Week: 14)
Andray Blatche is finally looking like the player Washington has thought it's had all along, and Gilbert Arenas has shown no signs of rust.
13. Utah Jazz (1-1, Last Week: 9)
Tough road ahead for the Jazz, as they play the Texas trio of Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio in their next three games.
14. Houston Rockets (2-1, Last Week: 16)
Trevor Ariza is averaging 23 points per game through three games, and, although it's extremely early, appears to have been well worth the gamble of giving him a full midlevel exception over the summer.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (2-1, Last Week: 15)
Second-year forward Marreese Speights may be making the Sixers wonder if signing Elton Brand last summer was a necessary move.
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (2-1, Last Week: 20)
OKC is a long way from their horrendous start to last season.
If they're able to make a push into the playoffs, is Kevin Durant a dark horse MVP candidate?
17. New Orleans Hornets (1-2, Last Week: 11)
New pickup Emeka Okafor is averaging an Emeka Okafor-like 11 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks per game so far.
18. Toronto Raptors (1-2, Last Week: 17)
Though they've struggled through three games, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani are looking like the NBA's best young frontcourt.
19. Chicago Bulls (1-2, Last Week: 13)
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