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Team (Record): Comment (Last week’s position)

1. Utah (8-1): If the finals were today, the Jazz would mop up whomever and hold a parade. (1)

2. Seattle (6-2): Baker’s salary-drive season: 11 points a game, shooting 40%, 9% from line. (2)

3. Orlando (7-2): Just like everyone predicted: Top teams in the East are Magic and Bucks. (3)

4. Lakers (6-3): Think it’s been wild? When he arrives, this will seem like good old days. (5)

5. Houston (6-3): If Pippen is an $82-million player, what are Kobe and Grant Hill, gods? (4)

6. Milwaukee (5-3): Bucks just noticed they’re as good as anyone else in their conference. (8)

7. Indiana (6-3): If Bird moaned while winning 58, making East finals, what’s he doing now? (6)

8. Miami (6-3): Heat isn’t great without Mashburn, Lenard, but this is only the East. (17)

9. Atlanta (6-3): Must have been bad karma: Theo Ratliff elbow blackens Mutombo’s eye. (7)

10. Sacramento (5-3): Webber-Williams could be new Malone-Stockton . . . except Webber’s leaving. (15)

11. Minnesota (6-2): Marbury-Garnett could be new Malone-Stockton . . . except Marbury’s leaving.

12. Portland (6-2): Trail Blazers fall to . . . Warriors? Dunleavy, Rider have first run-in of season. (12)

13. Phoenix (5-4): Kidd gets season’s only triple-doubles in wins at Denver, San Antonio. (16)

14. San Antonio (4-5): No Towers: Duncan, Admiral averaged 43 points last season, at 34 now. (10)

15. New York (5-3): Sprewell out, Houston off to annual slow start, Ewing still old. (18)

16. Philadelphia (4-5): Iverson scores 29 in Knick loss. The other 11 players divide 38. (9)

17. Cleveland (5-3): I don’t know how Mike Fratello does it, but he does it every season. (20)

18. Boston (3-4): Pierce leads rookies in scoring, third in rebounds, third in shooting. (14)

19. Detroit (4-5): Wait until Christian Laettner gets back, he’ll straighten this mess out. (11)

20. New Jersey (2-6): Calipari tried it without the screaming but now says no more Mr. Nice Guy. (19)

21. Washington (3-4): If Wizards have a move in them, now is the time, with next five at home. (21)

22. Vancouver (3-5): Shareef the great: Abdur-Rahim averages 27.8 points over last four games. (26)

23. Golden State (4-6): Jamison, who got 29 points in first six games, gets 40 in next three. (28)

24. Denver (1-8): No I in “team,” no D in “Nuggets.” Giving up league-worst 104 a game. (23)

25. Toronto (2-5): Oops: Raptors’ free-agent coup Stewart is averaging 10 minutes, 1.2 points. (24)

26. Chicago (1-7): At this rate, Bulls will play everyone close, finish the season 1-49. (25)

27. Charlotte (1-7): It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings, but she’s tuning up in wings. (22)

28. Dallas (2-8): Nash: “I didn’t realize what a tough situation this is.” He does now. (27)

29. Clippers (0-7): Clipper coaches learn the deal right away: Bill Fitch started 0-16. (29)

GAME OF THE WEEK

LAKERS AT SEATTLE

When--Today Time--3 TV--Channel 4

* Story line--Of course, these days every Laker game is a big one--because you want to know who’s on the team and whether they’re showing up. The SuperSonics, who have been the Lakers’ hottest divisional rivals, are in new hands, Paul Westphal replacing George Karl, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt them yet.