NBA Sunday

NBA Rankings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Win streak would now be at 14 — if it weren't for Sundiata's shot.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe's hurting, but they still finished 8-game trip with solid 5-3 mark.

3. Denver Nuggets: Had already clinched series win over Jazz before Saturday night's tip-off.

4. Utah Jazz: Playing as well as any team in league of late, but All-Star break may cool 'em off.

5. Orlando Magic: Back on track, having won 7 of 9 entering today's big game at Boston.

6. Dallas Mavericks: Gave up 52 points to Andre Miller and then 46 to Monta Ellis in 1 week.

7. Boston Celtics: Have won three in a row — but are still just 5-6 since Jan. 14.

8. Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith already has 1,000 blocks for his career — and he's not yet 25.

9. Phoenix Suns: Rumors are that Stoudemire is on trading block — but he's been hot lately.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Still holding its own while Roy recovers from hamstring injury.

Quick takes from the NBA

The latest trade talk circulating around 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala has him going with teammate Samuel Dalembert to the Phoenix Suns for star power forward Amare Stoudemire and, possibly, guard Leandro Barbosa, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer

According to an NBA source, the two teams have discussed this and other trade scenarios, although there are a few snags with the potential trade. Stoudemire's contract situation is chief among them.

The NBA's trade deadline is Feb. 18.

Iguodala has four years and $56 million remaining on his contract; Dalembert will earn $12 million next season, after which his contract expires. Stoudemire's contract expires at season's end, but he has a player option to earn $17 million for the 2010-11 season.

The Suns are very interested in Iguodala, according to the source. ...

LeBron James is "hands down" the NBA's most valuable player for a second straight season, according to his coach, Mike Brown. But there doesn't appear to be a lot of value in the rest of the Cavaliers.

On Friday after practice, Brown said, "I don't know how you can make a case for anybody else" to win the MVP this season, because James, who is averaging 29.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.1 rebounds, "is playing at an exceptional level right now," according to Newsday.

And while James seems to always get his due, what annoys Brown is that the rest of the team isn't getting nearly enough respect. Consider that the Cavaliers are sending just one player to the All-Star Game. The Celtics have three players in the All-Star Game. The Lakers, Nuggets and Hawks have two each. ...