By Stefen Lovelace

At this early point of a season it's still hard to tell which teams have advantages over others. One night a team like the Minnesota Timberwolves look as if they can surpass the first round of the playoffs. Another night, the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are fending off the terrible Memphis Grizzlies in overtime. Everything is up in the air, but lets examine teams that have made an impact, and teams that owe fans a refund. Here are my team awards after a quarter of the NBA basketball season has been played.

Surprise Team: The Philadelphia 76ers ... Runners up include the Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks).

The 76ers beat out the other teams in this category simply for the fact that they're winning without superstars. We all know they have AI, a warrior on the hardwood, and we'll sacrifice any and everything to win. But what about guys like Keith Van Horn, and Todd McCullough? When the 6ers traded Mt. Mutumbo for Horn and McCullough, most believed that Philly got the raw end of the deal. But it turns out that Van Horn actually can play ball, and McCullough is one of the most underrated centers in the game. Aaron McKie and Eric Snow are playing inspired basketball, and haven't looked this good since two years ago when the Sixers reached the finals. Iverson is still the nucleus of this team, and will carry them when he needs to.

Biggest Disappointment Team: The Los Angeles Lakers ... (Runners up include the Washington Wizards and Portland Trailblazers).

Granted, there are still a lot of games to play in the NBA season. And Shaq Diesel was sidelined for the first 12 games. There's not much to be said about this team; they know how to play both sides of the ball, physically and mentally beat teams, and win games. They better start doing it soon. The win over Dallas was a good start.

Team on the Rise: The Houston Rockets

It's hard not to give the LA Lakers this one, because all logic suggests they'll turn things around. The Rockets though are playing great and are getting better each game. Yao Ming is worth all the hype that's surrounded him, and when Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley accept him as a formidable part of the offense, this team will be extremely tough to stop. Francis is the best scoring point guard around, and Cuttino Mobley is still one of the most underrated players in the NBA. Houston's offense is explosive. Expect the Rockets to be right in the thick of the playoff picture.

Team on the Decline: The Portland Trailblazers.

Some argue that the Jail-blazers, err, Trailblazers, have been on the decline since their loss to the Lakers two years ago in the Western Conference finals. I have to agree with that, and the uninspired play, poor attitudes, issues with the law, and ineffective bottom line continue.

Stefen Lovelace, Lake Ariel PA, feedback: Stef_Deezy24@hotmail.com