NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE.(Brief Article)

WHO'S HOT

Suns PG Jason Kidd never scored 30 or more points in back-to-back games before last week. Then he dropped 31 on the Celtics, 32 on the Mavericks and 36 on the Wizards in successive games. In seven games going into last weekend, Kidd averaged 24.4 points on 49 percent shooting, 7.6 rebounds and 9.6 assists. All this after shooting 26 percent and losing confidence in his jumper in seven previous games.

WHO'S NOT

The injured foot Lakers SG Kobe Bryant suffered during last week's loss to the Bucks put the finishing touches on one of the worst three-game skids of his career. Playing on ankles that were sore before the foot injury, Bryant averaged 18.6 points--10 below his season average--on 35 percent shooting. Bryant, who usually attempts an average of three 3-pointers a game, attempted only two and missed both.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME

With all the big names changing teams last summer, few would have guessed the most significant move would be SG Derek Anderson bolting the Clippers to sign with the Spurs. Anderson has moved ahead of C David Robinson as San Antonio's No. 2 offensive threat, averaging 20.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 19 games entering last weekend. Anderson, who never played more than 66 games in his first three seasons, hasn't missed a game.

MATCHUP OF THE WEEK