Bandwagon Assessment: 1st Quarter Every team has played at least 25% of their schedule so it’s time to evaluate which bandwagons are worth jumping on. (Records thru 1/27/12) Oklahoma City Thunder 16-3 Jersey to buy: Kevin Durant Bench player to rally around: James Harden Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Nick Collison Bandwagon Assessment: Jump On Long-term outlook: Fun team to watch. The current favorite in the West. Denver Nuggets 14-5 Jersey to buy: Ty Lawson Bench player to rally around: Al Harrington Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Chris ‘Bird Man’ Andersen Bandwagon Assessment: Jump On Long-term outlook: Denver has no stars but plenty of guys who can play basketball. Los Angeles Clippers 10-6 Jersey to buy: Blake Griffin Bench player to rally around: Mo Williams Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Reggie Evans Bandwagon Assessment: Jump On Long-term outlook: The Clippers look to be the future of LA hoops but it’s only year one and their backcourt is tiny. San Antonio Spurs 12-8 Jersey to buy: Manu Ginobili Bench player to rally around: Danny Green Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Matt Bonner Bandwagon Assessment: Jump Off Long-term outlook: This might be the end of the line for Tim Duncan. They’ll be competitive and their wing players are pretty exciting. Portland Trail Blazers 12-8 Jersey to buy: Gerald Wallace Bench player to rally around: Jamal Crawford Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Kurt Thomas Bandwagon Assessment: Jump On Long-term outlook: The Wallace trade remains a baffling heist. This team has good chemistry and might be the team to give OKC a run in the spring. Dallas Mavericks 12-8 Jersey to buy: Dirk Nowitzki Bench player to rally around: Ian Mahinmi Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Brian Cardinal Bandwagon Assessment: Jump On Long-term outlook: Never jump off the champ’s bandwagon Utah Jazz 10-7 Jersey to buy: Gordon Hayward Bench player to rally around: Derrick Favors Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Earl Watson Bandwagon Assessment: Jump On Long-term outlook: They’re young, scrappy and athletic. Point guard play is bad. May not make the playoffs but lots to build on. Los Angeles Lakers 11-8 Jersey to buy: Metta World Peace Bench player to rally around: Josh McRoberts Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Matt Barnes Bandwagon Assessment: Jump Off Long-term outlook: There are two reasons to like the Lakers. 1. One last run for Kobe, who is ornery enough to try and carry them. 2. Potential for a blockbuster trade. Houston Rockets 11-8 Jersey to buy: Goran Dragic Bench player to rally around: Terrence Williams Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Luis Scola Bandwagon Assessment: Jump Off Long-term outlook: You get the feeling all of these players could be traded at any time. Memphis Grizzlies 10-8 Jersey to buy: Mark Gasol Bench player to rally around: Sam Young Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Tony Allen Bandwagon Assessment: Jump Off Long-term outlook: This team is much better with Zach Randolph, who’s hurt. Gasol is a nimble dinosaur and probably the best Center in the Western Conference. Minnesota TImberwolves 9-10 Jersey to buy: Kevin Love Bench player to rally around: Derrick Williams Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Darko Milicic Bandwagon Assessment: Jump On Long-term outlook: This is the reason you buy NBA League Pass. To follow a small-market team with talent and young players to rally around. Plus they’re coached by Rick Adelman. This should be your new favorite team. Phoenix Suns 6-12 Jersey to buy: Grant Hill Bench player to rally around: Jared Dudley Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Marcin Gortat Bandwagon Assessment: Jump Off Long-term outlook: The Suns are a cautionary tale about new NBA owners. Robert Sarver ruined this team. On the bright side, they should get a decent lottery pick. Golden State Warriors 6-12 Jersey to buy: Stephen Curry Bench player to rally around: Epke Udoh Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: Nate Robinson Bandwagon Assessment: Jump Off Long-term outlook: New Owners. New Coach. Lots of chuckers. They stink. Sacramento Kings 6-13 Jersey to buy: Tyreke Evans Bench player to rally around: Isaiah Thomas Player you’ll love but everyone else hates: DeMarcus Cousins Bandwagon Assessment: Jump Off Long-term outlook: Stressed Owners. Fired Coach. Lots of chuckers. They stink. New Orleans Hornets 4-15 Jersey to buy: None Bench player to rally around: None Announcer you’ll love but everyone else hates: Gil McGregor Bandwagon Assessment: Jump Off Long-term outlook: The NBA owns this team. It’s not even clear if New Orleans can support a basketball team. The situation stinks. Eastern Conference