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That lesson is pretty clear in the Central Division, where Atlanta and Detroit are remarkably better, where Charlotte is pretty good and Milwaukee has given notice that it has a future.

However, barring calamitous injury, you can already pencil the Bulls in as Eastern Conference champions, with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson are that much ahead of the class. And, like him or loathe him, Jerry Krause is presiding over one of the great dynasties in pro sports history.

DENBERG'S ALL-DIVISION TEAM

F Grant Hill Detroit F Vin Baker Milwaukee C Dikembe Mutombo Atlanta G Michael Jordan Chicago G Damon Stoudamire Toronto

What the first half of this season has shown us that there is hope in the division. The Hawks know they aren't serious challengers, but they've made strides. Two more solid players can get them there. The Pistons are a power forward and a backcourt shooter away.

The division is evolving with a new roster of star players. However, they will need to learn some patience.

Chicago Bulls

Grade: A. Sure, they have weaknesses, but that doesn't appear to matter.

It's an amazing success story. Mix in the brilliance of Jordan, the selflessness of Pippen, the flamboyance of Dennis Rodman when he's off suspension, the sizzle of Toni Kukoc and the competence of a small handful of players, put them under the control of an understated hoops genius, Phil Jackson, and ... voilà!

Outlook: Going back to the Finals.

Detroit Pistons

Grade: B-plus. Grant Hill, Joe Dumars. Grant Hill, Otis Thorpe. Grant Hill ... You get the idea. No true center. No true point guard, either. Hill handles it; passes it; boards it.

Put better player around him, Hill would average a triple-double. He is a Jordan retirement away from being the game's acknowledged best player. One observation: all those men in Dallas deserved to be fired for taking Jason Kidd instead of Hill.

DENBERG'S PICKS

Here are Denberg's Central Division awards, based on the first half of the season: MVP: Michael Jordan, Chicago Remember the night Jordan scored 51 of Chicago's 88 points in a victory over New York? Now argue. Top rookie: Marcus Camby, Toronto The kid has terrific skills. We can't wait until he actually plays. Top coach: Doug Collins, Detroit In a close one over Phil Jackson and Lenny Wilkens. Best acquisition: Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacque Wamutombo, Atlanta Yes, all of them. Biggest bust Detroit's acquisition of Grant Long and Stacey Augmon from Atlanta. Long's playing time keeps diminishing and Augmon has been traded to Portland.

Outlook: They've exceeded all expectations, but, so help us, this mix can't keep going. Wait until playoff time.

Atlanta Hawks

Grade: B-plus. Add up Dikembe Mutombo's blocks, boards, points and the sum does not equal his value to a franchise and to his teammates. He changes games because he's on the floor.

Christian Laettner's toughness, plus the improving game of Steve Smith and Alan Henderson's return from a serious illness, make the Hawks interesting down the stretch, especially with 21 home games at the Omni in the last 35.

Outlook: They'll have to finish third in the East to do it, but these Hawks can reach the Eastern Conference finals.

Charlotte Hornets

Grade: C-plus. What a nice job Bob Bass and Dave Cowens have done in salvaging a franchise that was nearly destroyed by owner George Shinn's impulsive deals. By acquiring Vlade Divac and Anthony Mason, dumping malcontent Larry Johnson on New York and by turning Glen Rice and his deadly jumper loose, the new-look Hornets have moved up to the middle of the pack in the East.

Outlook: The Hornets can win 45 to 50 games and have a say in the playoff seedings, but they aren't good enough to win two rounds.

Indiana Pacers

Grade: C-plus. The Pacers dumped Mark Jackson because they could not win a championship with him. But they took a big step backward when they were unable to replace Jackson with an accomplished point guard.

Outlook: With Rik Smits back and a favorable schedule, and with some of the pressure off Reggie Miller, look for the Pacers to be a hot team in the second half.

Milwaukee Bucks

Grade: C. Watching the Bucks play, you wonder, how good would they be with Stephon Marbury. Instead, they flip-flopped with Minnesota and got Ray Allen. Getting Allen wasn't bad, but he's a shooting guard. Milwaukee's point guards are always overmatched -- something Marbury is not in Minnesota.

On the front line, forwards Vin Baker and Glenn Robinson carry this team offensively. Andrew Lang, however, is disappointment in the middle.

Outlook: The Bucks have come off he canvas. They aren't going anywhere, but they're building a strong foundation for later.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Grade: C-minus. Mike Fratello scripts every play, and he's no Neil Simon. Sure, the Cavs win some games, but who cares? Check out those empty seats in Gund Arena.

Outlook: Let's see, the Cavaliers have plenty of cap room and the promise of a strong position in the draft with Phoenix's pick. That doesn't help them this season, because cap room can't shoot it and drafted players can't run the floor.

Toronto Raptors

Grade: C-minus. Would you rather watch this improving young team or the doleful Cavaliers?

Outlook: Hats off to Isiah Thomas, who had the courage to draft Damon Stoudamire last season and to appoint Darrell Walker as his coach. They have a chance to build something good in Ontario, but it all hinges on Thomas. If he leaves, it comes down like a house of cards.

Jeffrey Denberg of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes a weekly Central Division notebook for ESPNET SportsZone.