PK's NBA Top 15 for week of Jan 3:

1. Chicago - At 4-1, the Bulls are off to their best start since going 12-0 in 1996-97 and began the season by going 3-1 on a West Coast swing.
2. Miami - A franchise-best 5-0 start was followed with an eight-point loss at home to Atlanta in which the Heat were outscored by 12 points in the fourth quarter
3. Oklahoma City - Will the bright future of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook turn sour because they can’t get along?
4. Atlanta - Is this the season to believe? A 4-1 start, which includes beating the Heat in Miami, certainly has raised hopes.
5. Indiana - Off to a 4-1 start, losing only in overtime at Detroit, the Pacers are easily the biggest surprise so far this season.
6. Portland - Starting 3-1, the Blazers scored at least 100 points in every game but the loss to the Clippers.
7. Denver - Four different Nuggets have led the team in scoring in the first six games.
8. Orlando - As the Dwight Howard Watch continues, an opening night loss to Oklahoma City was followed by four consecutive wins
9. Boston - After a surprising 0-3 start, which coincided with Paul Pierce missing the first three games, the Celtics have won three consecutive games with their best player back in the lineup.
10. Lakers - A career 45 percent shooter, Kobe Bryant is shooting 40 percent through six games, including making 19 percent on three-point shots.
11. San Antonio - Everything is on hold once Manu Ginobili suffered a broken left hand in Monday’s loss to Minnesota.
12. Philadelphia - One night after blowing a 13-point lead and losing to the Jazz, the 76ers squandered the same margin but still beat Golden State.
13. Houston - Through the first four games, they are undefeated at home and winless on the road.
14. Clippers - What to make of all the hype? Already the Clippers have lost to Chicago and San Antonio by a combined 38 points.
15. Milwaukee - Typical of a team with this level of talent, the Bucks also are undefeated at home and winless on the road through four games.