The Times’ NBA rankings

IT’S TIME TO CHANGE AMERICA
1. MIAMI (5-1) Best home start in franchise history marred by obnoxious player intros. (1)
2. SAN ANTONIO (6-1) It must be early in season if Gregg Popovich smiles in media session. (3)
3. OKLAHOMA CITY (4-2) “60 Minutes” looking into whether Harden given 1 hour to accept offer. (2)
4. CLIPPERS (4-2) These guys would beat Harlem Globetrotters, lose to Washington Generals. (4)

YES WE CAN
5. BOSTON (3-3) Back on the upswing after hitting Shamrock bottom. (5)
6. MEMPHIS (4-1) How’s that decision to part ways with O.J. Mayo working out? (9)
7. DALLAS (4-3) So many unexpected contributors that water boy would log a triple-double. (15)
8. NEW YORK (4-0) Last unbeaten team will probably again be first to lose in playoffs. (13)
9. HOUSTON (3-3) Is Beardsanity over already? (8)
10. DENVER (4-3) Mile-high madness: Seventeen of first 23 games are on the road. (10)
11. CHICAGO (4-2) Bulls make statement against Oklahoma City: They’re not all that. (12)
12. BROOKLYN (2-2) New Nets look like old Nets during 30-point Miami loss. (14)
13. INDIANA (3-4) Danny Granger (knee) out three months, Pacers done for the season. (7)

WE ARE TURNING THE CORNER
14. LAKERS (2-4) Last time team started this bad, Magic Johnson ended up coaching it. (6)
15. MINNESOTA (4-2) Andrei Kirilenko, Brandon Roy make Timberwolves Reclamations R Us. (17)
16. MILWAUKEE (3-2) Brandon Jennings may be best player (almost) nobody is watching. (16)
17. GOLDEN STATE (3-4) Warriors may need new healthcare plan the way injuries keep piling up. (18)
18. PHILADELPHIA (4-2) Lakers getting as much out of Andrew Bynum, Kwame Brown as 76ers are. (11)
19. UTAH (3-4) Undersized Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap continually come up big for Jazz. (19)
20. ATLANTA (2-2) Hawks glad Lakers balked at Josh Smith-for-Pau Gasol trade proposal. (21)
21. ORLANDO (2-3) Laughter about Dwight’s new team can be heard 2,500 miles away. (22)
22. NEW ORLEANS (3-2) Contrary to rumors, Hornets’ 25-point half didn’t involve Princeton offense. (24)

SUNFLOWERS DIE IN NOVEMBER
23. PORTLAND (2-4) Actor-turned-GM Neil Olshey now part of “The Young and the Restless.” (20)
24. CLEVELAND (2-4) Fan stops Luke Walton, asks, “Hey, didn’t you used to play in the NBA?” (23)
25. PHOENIX (3-4) Lakers want Shannon Brown to request transfer to their bench. (25)
26. SACRAMENTO (2-4) Thomas Robinson shows that you can have a bit too much elbow room. (28)
27. TORONTO (1-5) Vancouver may be the best Canadian NBA team, and it doesn’t exist. (26)
28. WASHINGTON (0-5) It’s easy to wonder what’s the point with John Wall out. (27)

BOZO AND THE PINEAPPLE
29. CHARLOTTE (2-3) Bobcats eventually want to do a little more moving on up than this. (30)30. DETROIT (0-7) Suggested motto: The Bad Boys Are Back! (29)