NBA.com - The best team in the NBA

[BOBCATS_BALL!]

http://my.nba.com/cms/107728/the_best_team_in_basketball?ls=iref:nbahpt1

More national love for the Bobcats!!

It's not the Lakers, Cavaliers, Celtics or Nuggets. It's the Charlotte Bobcats. Seriously, no team has played better this year (2010).We're not sure how long it will last or even how it actually happened.

But make no mistake, the Charlotte Bobcats are the best team in basketball right now.

Yes, the Bobcats are the alpha and omega of NBA basketball as of this moment.

No team is playing better than Larry Brown's team, 9-1 since the start of 2010 and winners of six straight games.

The acquisition of Stephen Jackson, the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, in a pre-Thanksgiving trade boosted the stock of a team that's always been respected for its relentless effort but only now has seen that translate into tangible benefits.

Fearless forward Gerald Wallace should cash in with his first All-Star nod this time next week, an honor that should be cherished by the entire organization since Wallace has embodied the underdog spirit that has defined this team the past few years.

The Bobcats are 21-19 after throttling the Heat Wednesday night, a beating Heat forward Michael Beasley won't soon forget, per Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer: "Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley got it half-right; this sure was an easy win.

Beasley said some remarkably foolish things Tuesday about how the Charlotte Bobcats "stole'' a game in Miami and that if his team showed up focused Wednesday, "it should be an easy win.''

Easiest win in Bobcats history – a 104-65 laugher that completed a 6-0 homestand. The victory also moved the Bobcats (21-19) past the Heat (21-20) and into fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Yes, Beasley's quotes to South Florida media were passed on to the Bobcats by the coaching staff. It would have been nearly impossible to miss them, considering the leafleting in each player's cubicle.

"I kind of laughed at that, smiled over it. But it was in the back of my mind the whole game,'' Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton said of Beasley's boast. "Maybe he didn't mean it the way it sounded, but it definitely pumped us up.''

Illustrating how pumped-up: This was the largest margin of victory in Bobcats history. It was also the fewest points allowed, fewest field goals allowed (22), lowest field-goal percentage allowed (28.9 percent) and the largest lead ever (41).

Beasley (3-of-11 from the field) ducked questions about his impolitic quotes in the post-game interview. It was amusing to the Bobcats that he so clearly missed they'd won eight of nine entering this game, building huge leads over the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings in their last two games.

"I guess he hasn't been watching ESPN or NBA TV,'' said forward Gerald Wallace, who finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, despite playing with a sprained left ankle. "Maybe he was trying to get his team amped up, but our team was focused.''

The "amped up" Bobcats currently sit in the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff pecking order. And they are a staggering 18-4 on their home floor.

If they ever find a way to consistently win on the road ... well, let's just say the rest of the crowd in the Eastern Conference should be worried.

Everyone's handing out midterm grades right now and there's no question the Bobcats have earned their A!

[HeatCheck]

I think the Bobcats do better under the radar. I like that we are getting the attention but we aren't the best team in the NBA. Sure we've been the best in 2010, but that doesn't mean anything. I am sure Larry Brown won't allow this national attention to get to their heads and will keep the focused for the next half of the season. I definitely think we are a legit team, but let's not get carried away.

[BOBCATS_BALL!]

I think the Bobcats do better under the radar. I like that we are getting the attention but we aren't the best team in the NBA. Sure we've been the best in 2010, but that doesn't mean anything. I am sure Larry Brown won't allow this national attention to get to their heads and will keep the focused for the next half of the season. I definitely think we are a legit team, but let's not get carried away.

I agree with the article, it says they are playing the best right now and they by far and away are. They have won 9 of 10 and 6 straight. Look at the standings right now and no team is anywhere near that close. Memphis is the closest, not Cleveland or LA or Boston.

[PntherPryd]

RESPECT!!!!!!!

(where have I heard that before????)

[HeatCheck]

I agree with the article, it says they are playing the best right now and they by far and away are. They have won 9 of 10 and 6 straight. Look at the standings right now and no team is anywhere near that close. Memphis is the closest, not Cleveland or LA or Boston.

Oh yeah you can't deny that fact. Bobcats are playing the best this calendar year. The title of the article is a little misleading though.