Mark Heisler’s NBA rankings

Records through Friday’s games.

THE HEAT INDEX

1. Lakers (2-0) Kobe at 75%. No Bynum. Maybe

they were too ready before.

2. Boston (2-1) Rondo says they’re team to beat

in East. So Cavaliers beat them.

3. Miami (2-1) By the way, Spoelstra can coach

defense. No. 2 last season, No. 1 now.

4. Orlando (1-1) After great preseason and opener,

Carter mails in game two.

SO FAR, SO GOOD

5. Oklahoma City (2-0) Sefolosha, whom opponents don’t

have to guard, still starting.

6. San Antonio (1-0) High on list of 2011 free agents,

Parker falls off it, re-signing.

7. Portland (2-0) Przybilla close, Oden

isn’t — but 20-7 with Camby.

8. Atlanta (2-0) Drew says Josh Smith only snarls

“a little” at shot-selection tip.

SURPRISES/DISAPPOINTMENTS

9. New Orleans (2-0) Panic subsides after 1-7 preseason,

or how great is Chris Paul?

10. Memphis (1-1) Looks like they’re real, winning

in Dallas with Randolph out.

11. Dallas (1-1) Veterans Nowitzki, Kidd, Terry shoot

63%. Young guys at 39%.

12. Houston (0-2) Defended better when they were

anonymous. Just gave up 112-132.

13. Denver (1-1) Nuggets get fast start

they need, for one game.

14. New Jersey (2-0) Nets’ 2-0 start under Johnson puts them

five weeks ahead of 2009-10 pace.

15. Chicago (0-1) Rose looks like young D-Wade

but Bulls could still use shooting guard.

16. Phoenix (1-2) Nash at usual 17 a game, 50% — but

down from 11 assists to 6.7.

17. Utah (0-2) Rock-solid no more. Lost by 22 and

16 with four new rotation guys.

18. Golden State (2-0) Curry-Ellis backcourt no one

thinks can work is averaging 51.

19. Charlotte (0-2) In Brown’s third season, Bobcats need

good start as much as Nuggets.

20. Milwaukee (0-2) Still Brandon Jennings:

Shoots nine for 29 in first two.

21. New York (1-1) Stoudemire’s supporting cast: Unknown

rookies Mozgov, Fields start.

22. Sacramento (1-1) Kings haven’t stopped anyone but

averaging 109, may outscore some.

23. Indiana (1-1) Slow-footed or not, hardworking

Hibbert averages 20, 3.5 blocks.

24. Toronto (1-1) Jose Calderon, asked if Raptors

miss Chris Bosh: “Who?”

25. Minnesota (1-1) Rambis still yo-yos supposed

cornerstone Love for defense.

26. Cleveland (1-1) Byron Scott teams play hard, even

this totally written-off one.

WILL THIS SEASON NEVER END?

25. Clippers (0-2) Unless Griffin averages 50, they’ll

have to try guarding someone.

26. Washington (0-1) Wall, most hyped young point

since Magic, is lost walking it up.

28. Philadelphia (0-2) Collins sees pieces don’t fit a

little bit. Iggy for Melo?

30. Detroit (0-2) Apparently not a savior: No. 7 pick

Greg Monroe sits out first two.

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