In the Rankings: Week 5

Every Monday the Lakers.com BasketBlog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings.

NBA.com
This Week: 14 | Last Week: 15 | Diff: +1

The Lakers looked unbeatable in the first quarter against the Magic on Sunday. Then they got beat for the fifth time in seven games.

ESPN.com
This Week: 13 | Last Week: 11 | Diff: -2

L.A. has suddenly lost five of seven (including back-to-back Sundays at home) entering a stretch in which it plays seven of 10 on the road. So the recent quiet surrounding Kobe’s future might only be temporary.

SI.com
This Week: 15 | Last Week: 14 | Diff: -1

Phil Jackson said health issues — not Kobe’s future — were his main concern before agreeing to that two-year, $24 million contract extension. With his team having dropped five of seven heading into a brutal stretch of the schedule, the Zen Master now has to show he’s worth that kind of dough.

Average Ranking: 14 | Last Week: 13.33 | Diff: -1.67