THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

RANKINGS, COMMENTS (WITH LAST WEEK’S RANK)

ROYAL FAMILY

1. BOSTON (66-16)

Scary when they have it going: Started 29-3, finished 24-4. (1)

2. LAKERS (57-25)

One of the best coaching jobs no one noticed: Jackson, who held franchise together. (3)

3. PHOENIX (55-27)

Now comes the time of year they’re built for with more days off to rest Shaq. (4)

4. DETROIT (59-23)

May or may not be good enough to go all the way but too tough to go away. (2)

COURTIERS

5. NEW ORLEANS (56-26)

Incredible achievement for little team and Steve Nash of the Future, Chris Paul. (5)

6. UTAH (54-28)

Something else few know: Deron Williams is almost as good -- or as good -- as Paul. (6)

7. SAN ANTONIO (56-26)

Not what they were but still toughest, best-defending team in West. (7)

8. DALLAS (51-30 31)

Window closed to a crack with Kidd: Now to see what Mavericks got for it. (8)

TOWNSPEOPLE

9. HOUSTON (55-27)

Major accomplishment for Adelman and team that closed 19-7 without Yao Ming. (9)

10. DENVER (50-32)

Remember last time AI Iverson came here with a prohibitive underdog in the playoffs? (10)

11. ORLANDO (52-30)

Another terrific coaching job: Stan Van Gundy, who went from 40 wins to 52. (12)

12. GOLDEN STATE (49-33 48-34)

Would be fourth in East. Projecting a 20-10 record vs. East, would be third. (11)

13. WASHINGTON (43-39)

Wizards, 83-81 in previous two seasons, made a move in this one, finishing 18-10. (13)

14. CLEVELAND (45-37)

Down from 50-32 with money spent years out, making this their team for duration. (14)

SERFS

15. PORTLAND (41-41)

Next time you see Trail Blazers, they’ll be a lot higher than this. (15)

16. PHILADELPHIA (40-42)

Not there yet but going small and athletic gives them something to build on. (16)

17. SACRAMENTO (38-44)

Another coaching job of note: Theus had them competing to the end, finishing 8-4. (18)

18. TORONTO (41-41)

Finished 6-16. Imagine where they’d be with Aldridge instead of Bargnani. (17)

19. ATLANTA (37-45)

Luckily, they’re in East or nine-year playoff drought would go on a lot longer. (19)

FARM ANIMALS

20. INDIANA (36-46)

Too nice: Four years after Auburn Hills, still have problem children left. (20)

21. NEW JERSEY (34-48)

Carter, Jefferson, Devin Harris, promising big men and they can’t win 38 games? (21)

22. CHICAGO (33-49)

Boylan gets boot. Real problem is with Skiles gone, this is who they are. (22)

23. CHARLOTTE (32-50)

MJ thought this was a playoff team, now thinks it’s Vincent’s fault it’s not. (23)

24. MILWAUKEE (26-56)

Krystkowiak one and done. Now to find someone who’s been a head coach before. (24)

25. MINNESOTA (22-60)

Not a total wipeout: Started 5-34, finished 17-26 with Jefferson, Foye, McCants. (27)

26. CLIPPERS (23-59)

What if they had Brand, Kaman, Maggette, Thornton, Udrih and Mike Miller now? (26)

27. NEW YORK (23-59)

Isiah’s mistake was falling for Dolan’s win-now wish and he just paid the price. (25)

28. MEMPHIS (22-60)

The Ted Stepien of his era, Michael Heisley builds powerhouse -- in Los Angeles. (28)

29. SEATTLE (20-62)

How about giving city a D-League franchise? Oh, right, they just did that. (29)

BLACK HOLE OF MIAMI

30. MIAMI (15-67)

Well, it was fun while it lasted: Big Palm Tree now Big Cactus. (30)