1It looks like the Lakers and Celtics are still the two teams to beat, but who else looks good so farfi

• Warner: I think Cleveland finally looks like it has the chemistry to contend. At 13-4, I like how Orlando is helping the Eastern Conference return to respectability.

• Franchuk: I'm going with the Jazz. Playing well while brutally injured will help in the long run. I'm convinced the time off for Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams will help come summertime, because of a long playoff run last year followed by the Olympics experience. Throw in the brilliant play of Andrei Kirilenko (another Olympics guy) and watch out. The question, of course, is whether the spat of injuries will hurt Utah's chances at a record and seeding, which would prompt homecourt advantage.

2What Jazz player has stepped up his game through all of the team's injuriesfi

• Warner: Paul Millsap continues to impress. He scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Sunday's loss to New Jersey. He's averaging 12.6 points per game, tied for fourth best on the team, and he is second on the team in rebounding with 7.4 per game, even though he's averaged just 27 minutes per game.

• Franchuk: Nobody has more to live up to than Ronnie Price, and he's delivering. This is his setup year for a big contract, and he's playing into it after replacing Williams. He's more of a dish-first guy rather than score first, but his well-known high character combined with NBA-level talents are going to set him up well in future contract negotiations. The question is, will the SLC be in his futurefi

3Who is the best player in the NBA right nowfi

• Warner: My vote would go to LeBron James, who has Cleveland off to a 14-3 start. James is second in the NBA in scoring with 27.8 points per game and is shooting .491 from the field. I have always like Dwyane Wade and after a forgettable season last year, Wade is back on top of his game, averaging 28.2 points and helping the Heat (8-9) become competitive again.

• Franchuk: I'll go with my man, Chauncey Billups. Growing up in the Denver area, watching him smoke the high school competition back in the day, it's been fun to watch him revitalize the Nuggets after the trade from Detroit. This is his second pro stint in the Mile High City, but Billups this time has a much better security in the type of player and leader he is. Denver is overjoyed to have him back.

4What teams have been the early season's biggest surprisefi

• Warner: There has been a lot of early surprises, both good and bad. At 8-8, the New York Knicks may actually be respectable again and even though Portland started hot last year, I am surprised the Blazers (12-6) are doing it again. I am also surprised that the L.A. Clippers are once again the Clippers with a 3-13 record.

• Franchuk: I'll say Boston, at 16-2, just because I didn't think the defending NBA champions would have such a hunger to attempt a repeat. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are clearly not satisfied with being one-hit wonders.

5Now that Deron Williams is back in the starting lineup, what was your impression of how Ronnie Price playedfi

• Warner: I thought Price did an admirable job. He's averaging 7.2 points and 3.9 assists per game. At times, I thought he looked like a backup quarterback making a start in the NFL and told not to lose the game. I would like to see him penetrate more and use his instincts to make more of an impact, but for his first series of starts, he clearly looks like a capable backup to Williams.

• Franchuk: Price is going to get a huge contract soon, as I said before. It still amazes me at how far he's come. I recall when he was at Utah Valley, before becoming an NBA prospect, interviewing him at his little college apartment. There was a huge TV, a couch and little else -- typical college kid, rightfi Now he can afford whatever he wants, and no one can say he doesn't deserve it.