Each week during the regular season, Kerr will rank the five best teams-and the five worst teams- in the NBA.

　　1. Phoenix Suns (18-3) -The Suns moved into the top spot for the second time this season. Amare Stoudemire is making great strides with his game, passing the ball out of double teams and dominating opposing big men with his startling athleticism.

　　2. Seattle SuperSonics (17-4)-A two-game sweep of San Antonio and Dallas in Texas proved the Sonics are for real. A home loss to Boston showed that-like everyone else-they're vulnerable. But while this team struggled to rebound the ball a year ago, Danny Fortson and Reggie Evans are making sure that's not a problem this season.

　　3. San Antonio Spurs (17-5) - The Spurs lost two straight last week to fall out of the No. 1 spot, but Tim Duncan has been absolutely dominant. Defensively, nobody in the league comes close to these guys.

　　4. Sacramento Kings (14-6) - The Kings have rebounded from a slow start and are keeping pace with the scorching Suns. Chris Webber has taken criticism for years, but he is an excellent basketball player, averaging more than 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per game.

　　5. Minnesota Timberwolves (13-7) - Every time it looks like this team is ready to take off, it loses a game it shouldn't. (see Wolves vs. Bulls in Chicago on Dec. 11). Still, the Wolves are deep and talented, and they have a new dimension in the rejuvenated Eddie Griffin.

　　THE LOW FIVE

　　26. New Orleans Hornets (1-18) -The Hornets are playing in Charlotte on Tuesday. When you're 1-18, you look for winnable games on the schedule. This is one of them.

　　27. Charlotte Bobcats (4-14) - The Bobcats are playing the Hornets on Tuesday. When you're 4-14, you look for winnable games on the schedule. This is one of them.

　　28. Chicago Bulls (4-15) - The Bulls are 4-6 in their last 10 games, including wins over Minnesota, Cleveland and the Lakers. They're getting better.

　　29. Atlanta Hawks (4-16) - The Hawks routed the Pistons last week. Does that mean they're getting better, or that the Pistons aren't that good? Probably both.

　　30. Toronto Raptors (7-16) -The Raptors have lost nine of 10, including seven straight, and Vince Carter is on the shelf again. Will anyone want to trade for him now? Perhaps general manager Rob Babcock waited too long to move his pouting, oft-injured star.