Fred says that Rasheed Wallace should be the go-to guy in Portland.

However, Fred knows a good team when he sees it, and he sees a bunch of them right now. So this week in Fred's Mad Dog Top Five he discusses the five best teams in the Association as of the midpoint of the season.

Controversial? You betcha! But Fred's last list was on MVP candidates and we received more than 1,000 e-mails about that one, whether it was guys who were missing or guys who didn't belong. Check Fred's top team on this list ... we can't wait to hear from you. Records are through Thursday and photos are of random players.

Here is Mad Dog's Top Five. If you have ideas for future lists, or if you have comments that we just have to read, tell us by clicking here and making your feelings known. We love feedback. So does Fred.

One last thing: Fred also does a weekly audio chat each Thursday and it's a great opportunity for Mad Dog to answer your posting live, so check in the day before the chat and send your question. Here's the link to Fred's most recent chat.

MAD DOG'S TOP 5 TEAMS
Kobe Bryant	Lakers	34-11, .756 "Even though they have fallen off their mantle, and have lost to Portland twice, I like the Lakers as the best team in the NBA. They lost their way -- as did Alice on her way to Wonderland. The Lakers have forgotten what it takes to win after they won 16 in a row. It's habit forming, knowing what to do, and once it's lost, finding your way back is difficult. They will find their stride and run off 15 in a row at some point, they are that good. It just happens to some teams. I don't think they should trade Glen Rice as much as they should use him more in the offense. They will need shooters and a guy to score, and they can post him and run off screens. He just requires help to score, but he will deliver."
Steve Smith	Blazers	34-11, .756 "Not a distant second, and solid everywhere. Phil Jackson said they are the best team money can buy. Portland replies the Lakers have the best coach money can buy. Portland does so many things well, especially on the defensive end. They are athletic, but the problem is who is their go-to-guy in the last four minutes of a ball game? They all share and pass the ball. For the purist, that's good, but when it's about winning someone has to be the go-to man. My suggestion is Rasheed Wallace. In the Western finals vs. the Lakers they will have to have the best record in basketball, because the home team will win it. So basically the team with the best record will win the NBA title."
Avery Johnson	Spurs	30-16, .652 "They still are the defending champs. Utah hasn't learned how to win a title yet. The Spurs have the dominant big men, but I don't know if Sean Elliott will be healthy enough to make an impact. It takes so long to regain stamina, regain that confidence. My suggestion to them is to get a guy who can play one-on-one and take the pressure off of Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Without Elliott they need that. This is one of the top defensive teams also."
John Stockton	Jazz	27-17, .614 "You can never count them out. I don't know who to call old man river here: Stockton, Hornacek or Malone. This group is flowing on offense and defense, though they have hit a rough spot recently. In a seven-game series this team will not go away. The Jazz can beat you if you don't come prepared to play."
Reggie Miller	Pacers	29-15, .659 "Coming out of the East you have to wonder, is it parity or mediocrity? Let's say it's parity. Indy could be the dominant team in the East, but New York and Miami are hanging in there. Really, like last year, any team can come from the East. Indiana is the biggest and strongest, has nice depth and has guys who can score off the dribble and get their shot. If Rik Smits' feet hold up then they could be the team to beat in the East. The thing about the Pacers, who haven't gotten to the Finals, is they just want to get there and take a game. That's enough for them -- just get that far."