NBA Rankings

1. Boston Celtics: Having a healthy K.G. back in the lineup makes this team scary.

2. Denver Nuggets: Showing that last year's nice playoff run was no fluke.

3. Los Angeles Lakers: Derek Fisher had 0 points and 0 assists in 35 minutes vs. Houston.

4. Orlando Magic: Picked up a decisive victory over Phoenix to hand Suns their first loss.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Slow start to the season, but there is no reason to panic — yet.

6. Phoenix Suns: Impressive start to the season, but the jury is still out on this club.

7. Atlanta Hawks: Came out west and managed very respectable 2-1 record.

8. Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki wishes he could play against Utah's "defense" every game.

9. San Antonio Spurs: Looked old vs. Jazz, but don't let that fool you. Still a top team.

10. Chicago Bulls: Held off LeBron and Co. for a one-point win on Thursday.

Game of the week

Cavaliers at Magic

Cleveland is off to a mediocre start and it won't get any easier during a trip to Florida this week to play the Magic and Heat. This ESPN game Wednesday will pit two of the top three teams in the East as the Cavs will try to get some revenge after last spring's playoff series.

Quick takes from the NBA

Carlos Boozer got himself into trouble with Jazz fans this summer by saying he would enjoy playing for the Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat.

But Boozer named just two teams. LeBron James, who is likely to become a free agent this summer, hasn't eliminated any NBA team.

"I've thought about playing everywhere," said James this week. "Every team in the NBA, I've thought about playing at one time in my life."

One reporter then asked, "Even the Clippers?"

"Everywhere," James said. "At one point in my life, I've thought about playing for every NBA team. All of them." ...

The first woman to play pro basketball with guys is now going to coach them.

Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman was introduced Thursday as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks' affiliate in the NBA Development League, which will tip off in November 2010.

The D-League team is partially owned by Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations. Hiring Lieberman was his idea, and he's confident young men won't have a problem taking orders from a woman — at least, not this woman.