By Shawn O'Neal
SportsLine NBA Editor

When March opened, it looked like the San Antonio Spurs were up to their old tricks.

As soft as five pounds of cream cheese and nearly as emotional, the Spurs seemed prepared to take their annual dirt nap a few months early.

After a 101-87 home loss to the Utah Jazz, the Spurs stood at 6-8 and were enduring rumors that their coach, Gregg Popovich, was going to be forced to fire himself -- as only a general manager-coach can do.

They haven't lost since.

With guys like Tim Duncan and David Robinson running around, the Spurs were supposed to be one of the teams capable of finally sending the Utah Jazz off to pasture. Now, they're starting to play like it. The Spurs entered the weekend on a nine-game winning streak, and after a Portland-Vancouver road swing, play 12 of their next 16 in the Alamodome.

And, now that the Minnesota Timberwolves have been derailed by a deal that the devil (aka Stephon Marbury agent David Falk) made them do, the Spurs and, to a lesser extent, Houston have become the only realistic challengers to the Jazz.

The Spurs still have some proving to do. As long as Avery Johnson is running the show, people will question their backcourt, and of their nine straight victories, four came against Dallas, Golden State, Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers. If their current play is anything more than a fluke, however, the Spurs have put themselves in prime position for postseason jockeying.

While the Spurs rise, Dennis Rodman returns to his rightful place as the No. 1 fizzler, in his continuing role as a psychologist's life work.

Sizzlin' ...The Countdown.

5. A Penny and his thoughts

After more than a year of turmoil, Orlando fans may finally have seen the end of the feud between guard Anfernee Hardaway and coach Chuck Daly. The two sat down last week and hashed out the rift that had developed when Daly questioned the extent of Hardaway's leg injury last year. Now that all is well between coach and player, all Hardaway has to do is find his shooting touch and Orlando will be dangerous.

4. A legend and his thoughts

Since being forced to deal Marbury, Minnesota vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale has taken every opportunity to take shots at Falk. Among his better pokes was one where he likened Falk to a cockroach. Bravo.

3. The answer man

With a solid cast around him, Allen Iverson is doing a pretty fair impersonation of the best player in the league. Iverson is averaging 28.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Most important, he finally seems to understand that scoring 40 points individually doesn't always equate to a team victory.

2. Miami Mayhem

The Heat have gotten so hot, they're alarming the whole Eastern Conference. They've won 17 of 19, but are entering a challenging portion of their schedule, playing Indiana Sunday before heading out for four straight on the road.

1. Saving coach Popovich

All of the sudden the Spurs are for real.

Sizzlin' ...The Countdown.

5. Tiiiiiimmmberrrrr!

Minnesota has lost four of five since dealing Marbury.

4. Payton and the unwitting accomplices

The Sonics got fat early on a weak schedule, but outside of Gary Payton, they're bringing very little to the table these days.

3. Stephon a savior?

Sorry Nets, don't bet on it. Especially not this year, when, much like the Titanic, it doesn't matter who's on board. This ship is going down.

2. The fallen Kings

For all their high-flying plays, the Sacramento Kings are losing altitude -- and a lot of games. They are a fun team to watch, but they don't play a lick of defense, have lost five of their last seven (three at home), and ultimately, still might just be the Kings.

1. All Rodzilla, all the time

Please, just play basketball or go away.