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Shaq can squabble with his coach all he wants. The Lakers are still No. 1. There's no disputing that. But who's No. 29? Now that's a dishonor worth debating.
No. 27: Grizzlies
Lowlight: Trading for flashy but erratic guard Jason Williams was understandable. Giving him a six-year, $43 million extension was not. What happens if they get the chance to draft the Jason Williams who seems destined to be a star?
Spotlight: With rookies Shane Battier and Pau Gasol and second-year man Stromile Swift, the Grizzlies at least have something to build with.
Seeing the light: If the Grizzlies finish with one of the league's two worst records, they'll get to keep their draft pick. But if they move up too much in the standings and, depending on how the lottery goes, end up with a pick from 6 to 13, it will go to the Pistons because of a 1997 trade that netted the Grizzlies Otis Thorpe.
No. 28: Bulls
Lowlight: They're the league's lowest-scoring team (they failed to break 80 in four of their first 10 games) and have the largest average margin of defeat (14.8 points a game). Of course, losing by 53 can throw the stats out of whack. As can losing by 34. And 24 ...