As of Tuesday, Dec. 25
The holiday spirit is everywhere, including the NBA. Time to stop thinking about what the players are getting (ie. more money per game than most of us will make in the next two years) and instead focus on giving. Every team has many gifts to give -- some more than others, of course -- and 'tis the season to bestow those gifts. Some teams, like the Mavericks, have been simply offering the gift of a contending team to their home city, Dallas. Others, like the Chicago Bulls, have made a habit of giving, and giving, and giving, until they have nothing left.

With that in mind, we bring you the holiday season's version of Power Rankings. And to all a good night!

Team/Record	Prev rank/ Last week	Their gift is...
THE BATTLE AT THE TOP
1. Spurs 20-5	1/3-1	A gift of hope. To those fans which would like to see an honest battle for NBA dominance, the Spurs are doing their best to challenge the Lakers' dynasty. Yes, it's early in the season, and yes, the Spurs were demolished last year in the conference finals, but hey, the boys from San Antonio look hungry so far. Their 4-4 mark against winning teams is discouraging, but we simply won't know until they play the Lakers on Jan.19.
2. Lakers 19-4	2/1-1	The illusion that they are not completely unbeatable. Just as they did last year, the Lakers are going through an early-season lull. A loss to the Griz? Wow, talk about gifts. You know they'll pick it up come playoff time, so maybe this team prefers to give their gifts later in the season.
THE RISING CONTENDERS
3. Mavericks 18-9	7/3-0	Six straight wins, giving Mavs fans some actual hope that Dirk and the boys could make some noise come postseason time. You think Mark Cuban and Shaq exchanged gifts this year?
4. Kings 20-9	3/2-2	C-Webb's injuries are a league-wide gift. When he's finally healthy and integrated into this team, who knows if the Kings can be stopped?
5. Wolves 18-8	4/2-2	The gift of draft picks, in installments, because of last year's Joe Smith fiasco. But seriously, who knew these guys would improve? Wally's play may be the difference.
6. Celtics 17-8	8/3-0	The Celts and Pats both in the playoff hunt, seeking to both win postseason games in the same year for the first time since 1985-86? Sounds like a pretty nice present.
7. Bucks 15-9	9/2-2	A big win in San Antonio offers the gift of hope. This team is the Eastern Conference's best hope to win the NBA title this year.
8. Nets 16-9	5/1-2	Jason Kidd as Santa Claus, dishing out assists like the Meadowlands has rarely seen before. Also, a thank-you note to the Suns, for their thoughtful gift in exchange for Starbury.
9. Clippers 15-11	12/2-0	Ever exchange presents and know you're getting the better of the deal? How about a high school kid who's not ready for the NBA for team MVP Elton Brand?
WHO'D HAVE THOUGHT?
10. Wizards 14-12	10/3-0	Their ranking at No. 10 was meant as an early Christmas present, but now they deserve it. MJ offers the gift of excitement to fans everywhere...
11. Pistons 14-11	6/0-4	No longer Jerry Stackhouse and a bunch of other guys. Tough stretch, but they look like a team. Merry Christmas, Motown!
12. Pacers 16-13	13/3-1	The fastest rebuilding job in recent memory. Weren't they supposed to be bad this year?
THEY SHOULD BE BETTER
13. Raptors 15-12	15/3-0	A healthy return for Stan Albeck would be the best gift to basketball.
14. Suns 15-13	11/1-2	Putting away the shouting matches between players and focusing on playing basketball.
15. Blazers 13-13	14/2-2	Bonzi Wells' apology to the fans for telling SI that "they don't matter"... A better present would be consistent, smart team play.
16. Magic 13-16	16/1-2	No gifts to offer: A brand new ankle for Grant Hill, a healthy back for T-Mac is on their wish list.
THEY COULDA' BEEN CONTENDERS
17. Jazz 13-15	17/2-2	One last playoff run by Malone and Stockton. Is it a gift they can really give?
18. Sonics 14-15	21/3-0	Standout play from one of the NBA's best kept secrets: Brent Barry.
19. 76ers 11-15	18/1-1	The hope of 56 more chances with a healthy Iverson. The return of Eric Snow is a good present too.
20. Knicks 12-15	20/1-2	Van Gundy's return would be great. It just doesn't look like it's under the tree at this point.
21. Hornets 12-15	19/1-3	Merry Christmas, Louisville. Here's a professional basketball team.
CAN'T SAY WE'RE OPTIMISTIC
22. Cavaliers 11-16	23/2-2	Giving Ilgauskas and his foot a chance to slowly work his way back in. If it works, this could be a gift that keeps on giving.
23. Warriors 11-17	26/2-1	The gift of boards, courtesy of Danny Fortson, the league's top rebounder.
24. Grizzlies 7-20	27/2-2	A win over the Lakers, the best present a Grizzlies fan could hope for, and the best they've ever received.
25. Hawks 10-17	22/1-3	PG Jacque Vaughn shooting over 55 percent since his horrid 0-for-22 start. That's the gift of shutting ESPN up.
26. Nuggets 9-17	24/0-3	Some would say Issel accepting a buyout would be a gift in itself.
BRUTAL
27. Heat 5-20	25/0-3	Headache and indigestion remedies for poor Pat Riley, who will miss the playoffs for the first time as an NBA coach.
28. Rockets 8-20	28/1-2	After losing Steve Francis, there's really nothing else to give.
29. Bulls 4-21	29/0-3	Was there a nicer present for fans of any team than the resignation of Tim Floyd, who didn't appear to want to be in Chicago anyway?