B+ Los Angeles Clippers
Blake Griffin has relentlessly gotten better in his rookie season. From October to January, all of his major categories -- minutes, points, rebounds and assists -- have steadily improved each month. In his first eight January games, he is averaging 27.8 points, 13.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Not coincidentally, the Clippers have risen with him, posting months of 0-3, 3-12, 7-8 and 6-2. The Rookie of the Year lock isn't a one-man team, either. Eric Gordon leads the Clippers with 23.8 points a game. Baron Davis has shelved the selfishness that can infect his game and is increasingly looking to enable Griffin and Gordon in half-court sets. DeAndre Jordan is finding his niche as a rim protector. Ryan Gomes is a savvy glue guy. Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu are precocious rookies who didn't embarrass themselves as starters when injuries hit the team earlier this year and deserve their rotation minutes now. And center Chris Kaman, an All-Star last season, should be back sometime during the second half of the season. L.A. will be tested with 10 consecutive road games starting before and finishing after the All-Star break, but Clippers jokes are on hold in 2011.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/britt_robson/01/19/midseason.grades/index.html#ixzz1BuCA0pTg