Sportsfrog.com

Marty Burns’ take on si.com here.

Marc Stein’s take at espn.com here.

A few things jump out if you have not been following the Association closely:

—Did you know the Blazers have won seven straight? And that they are going to be in the playoff chase for the 8th spot in the West? Even without Greg Oden? Add Oden to that team next season, assuming Oden can find health, and the Blazers are going to be a near-future major factor in the Western Conference.

—At 20-2, the Celtics are one successful road trip to the Western Conference from people seriously talking about whether 70 wins is reachable.

—The Magic, at 17-8 are still plenty good, but home losses to Atlanta and Memphis should give those predicting they can take the East come June serious pause. Let’s just say I don’t see the Pistons or Celtics losing two at home to teams like the Hawks and Grizzlies.

—Although at 11-12, the Hawks are not nearly as bad as they used to be.

—How is life post-KG in Minnesota? Pretty fuck-awful. 3-19. With a bullet. Can Minny threaten 70 losses? For those of us who enjoy ironic synergy, the dream is alive for a 12-70 Minnesota campaign and a 70-12 Boston campaign.

–By the way, same as it ever was out West, where San Antonio, Phoenix, and Dallas are the best of a strong conference. But, there is a fourth team threatening to join that group, and it is a new-comer. That would be the Hornets. if you have not had a chance to watch them play recently, do yourself a favor and find a game. Chris Paul is morphing into a young Isiah Thomas (the player, not the horrid coach/GM) and is pretty much impossible to defend most nights.