The Los Angeles Lakers are the most valuable NBA franchise for the third consecutive year, with a 14% jump to $510 million, Forbes magazine said. The New York Knicks are second at $494 million, up 23% from last year, followed by the Dallas Mavericks at $374 million, the Houston Rockets at $369 million and the Chicago Bulls at $368 million, the magazine reported in its annual survey of the NBA's 29 teams. The Detroit Pistons, who defeated the Lakers for the NBA championship in June, are sixth on the list at $363 million. The Rockets, with league scoring leader Tracy McGrady and All-Star center Yao Ming, showed the largest increase in value in this year's survey at 33%. The Milwaukee Bucks are the NBA's least valuable team at $199 million, Forbes said. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-12-09-nba-notes_x.htm
