Rose’s sprained big left toe is a huge concern for Tom Thibodeu and the Bulls, as is the slow start from Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer.  But the product on the court so far has been the best in the league, even picking up a win without the reigning MVP.

The Thunder currently hold the league’s longest winning streak at 5.  Even more impressive?  They’ve done it over a six day span.  OKC is young and athletic enough to win these gritty games that other teams will lose because of fatigue.

LeBron’s fourth quarter critics are back on their soapbox, but don’t count me as one of the concerned because of the Heat’s two-game slide.  Miami will not be indestructible during this crowded lockout-shortened schedule, but I struggle to find a team that that can consistently beat this roster.

As we saw in the Blazer’s loss to Orlando, that athletic front line will show some weakness against a true big man threat.  But we also how potent they can be in their comeback from a 23-point deficit.

Kobe has put the team on his back, and the league’s leading scorer is back to putting up big numbers like it’s 2007 all over again.  One of the game’s best players of all time is cementing his status at the top of Mount Rushmore by putting up back-to-back 40-point games in this, his 16th season in the league.

The thing that has made the Nuggets particularly scary is how well they have shared the ball.  George Karl has a team that is “making great basketball plays” at a rapid speed, proving that the ball moves faster than any player.  They play at the fastest pace in the league, and are one of the five most efficient teams offensively.

San Antonio Spurs

Ginobli’s wrist injury is a crushing blow to the next four weeks, but this new brand of Spurs basketball seems to be working thanks to Richard Jefferson’s lights-out shooting.  Depth is a concern, especially with T.J. Ford also injured for a couple weeks.  But for now the Spurs are rolling.

A loss to the Pacers is not a huge cause for concern, especially considering the Hawks surprising lack of production on the boards in that contest.  With two games against both the Bulls and Heat under their belt, Atlanta should appreciate the competition in the weeks ahead.

The first home loss at the hands of Black Mamba stung for a hot Utah team, but I don’t expect the set back to last for long.  Jefferson has been phenomenal leading the front line, and this newfound hunger can carry Utah back to ranks of Western Conference elite.

The upset win over Miami felt like a playoff atmosphere, but the Clippers will need to limit the turnovers if they want to create a playoff atmosphere this Spring.  Too much talent and explosion to ever count them out, but the “Lob City” honeymoon is over, and hopefully so is the nickname.

Holding off Portland in the Rose Garden will be a huge confidence boost for the Magic, who have won 3 of their last 4 and improved to 7-3.  Bringing that same energy on Thursday night against the Warriors will be tough, but then they are rewarded with three nights off.

They’ve matched their best start (7-3) since the 2005-2006 season, and are 4-0 at home for the first time since 2002-2003.  But before we start jinxing the Pacers with history, we should appreciate the many ways they have been successful.  Six players are averaging double-digit scoring, and the defense has held opponents to just 41.5% shooting on the season.  Schedule has helped, but the Pacers are for real.

The Knicks have their swagger back, thanks to four straight wins against mostly inferior opponents.  But the test of this hot streak will come this weekend, facing Memphis and Oklahoma City on the road in the next three nights.

The Mavericks hard-fought win on the road against Boston should put some energy back in the locker room, as this new unit continues to gel with very little practice time.  Things are moving in the right direction, but this is still a work-in-progress for Dallas.

Still chalking the Suns’ early-season struggles up to a new rotation that is taking a while to gel.  Gortat, Warrick, and rookie Markieff Morris appear to share the front court well, and as long as Nash is on the floor offense is not an issue.  There are defensive concerns, but that will take time for the unit to figure out.

Boston Celtics

As expected, a light schedule to start 2012 put some faith back in the Boston fan base.  But the Celtics need to rediscover that uncanny ability to close teams out with Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Rondo.  Losses to Indiana and Dallas could have been reversed with better fourth quarter execution.

Eric Gordon’s health is a huge concern, particularly if this knee injury nags over the next several weeks.  But if EG can get back to the lineup, I like the Hornets’ chances to cause some problems.  They’ve lost close games to good teams, and displayed potential in the upset of Denver on Monday.

Snapping a five-game losing streak with an overtime win against the Heat at home is a great way to build some confidence.  They should have another opportunity to catch an Eastern Conference foe off-guard on Thursday, hosting the Magic one night after a Orlando battled down the stretch with Portland.

The first road trip for this Cavs team has not been kind, but that should not come as a huge surprise considering the odd collection of youth and experience in the rotation.  Not surprisingly, Jamison has become an offensive crutch in tough spots, but he can’t handle the responsibility alone.

Don’t look now, but Ricky Rubio is starting to get comfortable in Minnesota.  Unfortunately the Timberwolves are still failing to close games out, but that is something they can figure out as the season progresses.  The issue becomes how far back are they once that happens.

After all that praise for Bargani and Toronto’s .500 start, the Raptors lose back-to-back games to Washington and at home against Sacramento.  Like what this team CAN be, just still not sure what this team IS.

A three-game slide doesn’t seem to be of rest concern to head coach Lionel Collins, who believes Memphis has been a few plays away from winning several times this season.  The next challenge is turning the corner and making those plays before the losses stack up.

Houston Rockets

An ugly win over the lowly Bobcats is the single bright spot in an otherwise tough week for Houston.  Facing both LA’s, OKC twice, and San Antonio is a tall order for a team-in-progress like the Rockets.

Stephen Jackson has slowly worked his way onto the court from a lower back injury, and now has apparently found his shot.  The Bogut-Jennings-Jackson-Delfino combo is dangerous, and the Bucks definitely can move up in the coming weeks.

Keith Smart’s promotion to head coach has led to a revitalization for DeMarcus Cousins and great news for the Kings.  Once Marcus Thornton returns from his hip injury, Sacramento will be a young team you do not want to face on the tail end of a back-to-back.

Losers of five straight, including a 92-68 beatdown at the hands of the Bulls, Detroit has run face first into a tough portion of their January schedule.  The coming weeks will present some Western Conference foes, which maybe could lead to a Pistons upset or two. But that is being optimistic.

The defense seems to have tightened up, but the Bobcats are still struggling offensively and currently on a four-game slide.  With Corey Maggette and Tyrus Thomas in and out of the lineup, Byron Mullens has taken the opportunity to to breakout and show some value.  That’s the only good news for Charlotte.

When the Nets return next Wednesday from their Western Conference swing, they’ll have two good chances to pick up their first win in front of the home fans.  Until then, it’s going to be hard to sell those tickets in the Prudential Center.

The Wizards won! Then they lost to a Rose-less Bulls.  The schedule ahead presents some interesting challenges, but at least Washington is win-less no longer.