Spurs top The Times’ NBA rankings

1. SAN ANTONIO (46-10) That’s a comeback: Four more wins match last season’s total. (2)

2. MIAMI (41-15) Word among insiders: Beat them now while they’re runts, and you can. (1)

3. BOSTON (40-14) All-Star for each of four seasons as bandaged “Spirit of 76” crew. (3)

4. DALLAS (39-16) Take out 2-7 swoon without Dirk and Lakers aren’t in race for No. 2. (5)

5. CHICAGO (38-16) Stealth contender gets Joakim Noah back for this week’s Heat visit. (6)

TOO YOUNG, OLD OR WHATEVER

6. OKLAHOMA CITY (35-19) This season is to get more experience, next season to get more players. (7)

7. LAKERS (38-19) If Anthony’s seen as savior, real problem is their belief in themselves. (4)

8. ATLANTA (34-21) NBA’s best hamster wheel: After Nos. 4-3-4 finishes in East . . . No. 4! (9)

9. ORLANDO (36-21) Finished 23-8 last season. Better have another move like that left. (8)

10. NEW ORLEANS (33-25) Remarkable season, unless NBA contracts them before it’s over. (10)

11. MEMPHIS (31-26) One for Hollins: Just went 17-7 with Zach, O.J. thought to be gonzo. (12)

12. PHOENIX (27-27) One for Gentry: Suns written off yet again, back yet again. (15)

13. PORTLAND (32-24) One for McMillan: As owner Allen’s Vulcans fly lazy circles overhead. (14)

YOU STILL HERE?

14. DENVER (32-25) If Melo’s doing so well, why are they down from 37-19 at ’10 break? (11)

15. PHILADELPHIA (27-29) One for Collins: Same group was 20-32 a year ago, finished 7-23. (13)

16. NEW YORK (28-26) Awoke to find he’s still Ray Felton: At 46% on Christmas, 38% since. (17)

17. UTAH (31-26) There goes neighborhood: Corbin 0-3, two vs. fast-closing Suns. (16)

18. INDIANA (24-30) Off O’Brien’s yo-yo, Hibbert at 18-8 under Frank Vogel, who’s 7-3. (18)

19. HOUSTON (26-31) Gritty as they are, GM Morey still trying to figure out Plan B. (19)

20. GOLDEN STATE (26-29) One for new owners, Keith Smart: 14-37 at last season’s break. (21)

21. DETROIT (21-36) One for Kuester: Started 12-26 with no owner, future, harmony. (20)

GLUB, GLUB, GLUB

22. CHARLOTTE (24-32) Kwame wows them, reverts to Kwame. Next: Move to trainer’s room. (23)

23. CLIPPERS (21-35) Win in Minnesota meant one L.A. team didn’t have to sneak home. (24)

24. MILWAUKEE (21-34) Anonymous and scrappy is one thing; anonymous and hurt is another. (22)

25. NEW JERSEY (17-40) Avery says Favors, centerpiece of Melo offer, will be fine by 2012-13. (25)

26. WASHINGTON (15-39) On bright side, Wall clings to No. 2 over Landry Fields in rookie race. (26)

27. MINNESOTA (13-43) Promising nucleus needs 7-footer not named Darko, and results. (27)

28. SACRAMENTO (13-40) Nothing maturity won’t cure, wherever their young guys are by then. (28)

29. TORONTO (15-41) There’s a place for a 7-foot shooter who gets 5.5 rebounds: Phoenix. (29)

30. CLEVELAND (10-46) Thank heaven for hypes from the West Coast. (30)