NBA TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (record) Comment (last week’s position)

1. Seattle (35-10): Biggest surprise of season: SuperSonics with best mark heading into break. (2)

2. Chicago (33-13): Jazz walked on Bulls at home last week so they’re not Bulls of old yet. (1)

3. Lakers (32-11): Behind scenes, concern deepens as Van Exel has more trouble with his knee. (3)

4. Utah (29-14): With no Stockton, bad thumb, Mailman says he felt sorry for himself. He’s over it. (5)

5. San Antonio (32-14): Spurs 6-1 with 7-1 Robinson at “small” forward in Triple Tower lineup. (4)

6. Indiana (31-12): 5,000 or so expected as Bird makes local coaching debut at Sports Arena today. (7)

7. Phoenix (29-14): In his two seasons in Phoenix, Suns are 51-23 with Jason Kidd in the lineup. (9)

8. Miami (27-16): Heat dead in water. Went 15-7 without Mourning, 12-9 since he returned. (6)

9. Atlanta (28-18): Laettner on block. Anyone want a brat who’s posting career-low numbers? (8)

10. Cleveland (26-18): When rookie Brevin Knight became starter, Cavaliers were 1-2. Since, they’re 24-16. (10)

11. New Jersey (26-19): Nice little week for Nets: They stun Lakers, pass Knicks in standings. (13)

12. Charlotte (27-18): As much as Divac wants to be in L.A., he says Clippers are a longshot. (15)

13. Minnesota (25-18): Not bad for team that had never been three over .500 in its history. (14)

14. Portland (24-19): Rider, Anderson have yet to shoot 50% in the same game this season. (11)

15. New York (24-19): Make that the embattled, gutty, little Knicks: Go 0-3, host Riley today. (12)

16. Milwaukee (22-22): That was his All-Star game: Big Dog gets 39 as Bucks win in New York. (19)

17. Washington (23-23): Webber in annual post-All-Star-snub funk as Wizards go 1-2 for week. (16)

18. Houston (21-22): Olajuwon due back. He better not ask if he missed anything while he was out. (20)

19. Detroit (21-24): Starting to wonder what Stackhouse is worth as he misses 30 of 36 threes. (18)

20. Orlando (21-25): Penny returns in nick of time--for the All-Star game, not the Magic. (21)

21. Boston (20-24): Knight, still making $3 million, has three points, 30 minutes in last three. (17)

22. Philadelphia (14-29): Brown gets professional performance from Coleman, but it’s early. (22)

23. Sacramento (19-26): Still stiff on road, but after 0-3 start at home, Kings have gone 16-4 there. (23)

24. Vancouver (13-33): Fate was kind: Won three in row, two vs. Warriors, one vs. Nuggets. (24)

25. Toronto (10-34): Players moan about trade talks and go 4-0. Maybe they need more of them. (26)

26. Dallas (8-36): More cornerstones pulverized. Pack hurt again. Nelson says he won’t re-sign Scott. (27)

27. Golden State (8-35): Can P.J. get a witness? After hearings ordeal, beats Trail Blazers in Portland. (28)

28. Denver (4-40): After emotional wins over Clippers, Mavericks, Nuggets are up to a 7-75 pace. (29)

29. Clippers (10-36): On bright side, losing two to Nuggets, won’t see them again until March. (25)

CHICAGO AT LAKERS

* When--Today. Time--12:30 p.m. TV--Channel 4.

* Outlook--Statement game, team of present vs. team of future, call it what you like, but both of these clubs want this one--the Lakers to prove they’re really in the Bulls’ league, the Bulls to show they are what they were.