THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

RANKINGS, COMMENTS (WITH LAST WEEK’S RANK)

*--* REAL DEALS 1. LAKERS (44-18) I wanted to put them No. 2 to see if Vic the Brick’s eyes popped out of his head.(1) 2. BOSTON (49-12) Averaging 15 since return, KG gets 31 as they win season series vs. Pistons. (3) 3. SAN ANTONIO (43-18) Not there yet: Just got blown out, 63-42, in second half in Denver. (4) 4. DETROIT (45-17) Still trying to add depth because starter for starter, Boston has them.(2)

COMERS 5. UTAH (42-22) Not that Suns are a major power, but Jazz just beat them in Phoenix. (7) 6. HOUSTON (42-20) Should walk off cliff any day now: 18-0 with three losing teams next. (8) 7. NEW ORLEANS (42-20) Could this happen? Just sold out for fifth time in last eight. (6) 8. GOLDEN STATE (39-23) Wackiest ship in the navy just went 6-1, averaging 117 a game. (10) 9. ORLANDO (40-24) Six wins from best record in 11 seasons when Big You Know Who was there. (12) GOERS 10. DALLAS (40-23) Happily, seven of next eight are at home, where they’re 26-4. (5) 11. PHOENIX (40-22) Unhappily, after four at home, 10 of next 14 are on road. (9) 12. DENVER (37-25) Reason for hope: Suns are fading faster than they are. (11) 13. CLEVELAND (36-27) Still one-man show: LeBron hurts shooting hand, they lose to Bulls. (13) 14. PORTLAND (33-30) David Stern pays first visit in seven years to welcome them back. (14) 15. PHILADELPHIA (29-33) Still rolling: Now up to 11 wins in last 14, averaging 103. (18) 16. TORONTO (33-28) Bosh left because of knee injury five games ago. They’ve lost four. (15) 17. WASHINGTON (30-32) Arenas, upcoming free agent, stung by talk they’re better without him. (16) 18. SACRAMENTO (27-35) Who will next fool be? Artest fined $5K for asking if Theus wants to win. (17) STILL IN EAST RACE AND FUBAR 19. CHICAGO (25-37) Still just Larry Hughes: Averaging 15 over last five, shooting 34%. (21) 20. NEW JERSEY (26-37) Taking over, not: 3-8 since Kidd left with Carter averaging 19.6. (19) 21. ATLANTA (25-36) Mike Woodson Era must be nearing end as Hawks lose four in a row. (20) FOULED UP BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION 22. CHARLOTTE (24-39) Ray Felton goes back to point guard as Bobcats win five in a row. (25) 23. INDIANA (24-39) Two more police incidents have owners talking organizational shake-up. (22) 24. MILWAUKEE (23-39) Say good night: 3-1 coming out of break, 1-4 since. (23) 25. CLIPPERS (20-41) Dear Donald: Next time try sitting down with coach before trade deadline. (24) 26. NEW YORK (18-45) Marbury calls Thomas era “circus.” He should know, he’s the clown. (26) 27. MEMPHIS (15-47) Making most of post-Pau chance, Warrick averaging 18 since Feb. 12. (27) 28. SEATTLE (16-46) Human layup line: Giving up 113 a game over last eight. (28) 29. MINNESOTA (14-48) Perfect: Ratliff gets buyout. Walker turns his down and is stuck there. (29) BLACK HOLE OF MIAMI 30. MIAMI (11-50) What’s the record for most games mailing it in? (30) *--*