Lakers.com BasketBlog

Every Monday, the Lakers Basketblog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings.

NBA.com
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 7 | Diff: +2

With the return of Pau Gasol, the Lakers are one 7-foot piece away from a completed puzzle (See: Bynum, Andrew). They keep killing with consistency, not dropping more than two consecutive games since a three-game slide in January.

ESPN.com
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 6 | Diff: +2

Pau’s return pretty much locks up a top-three seed. Yet you have to ask — in spite of that impressive rally against Dallas — if the Lakers can be true title contenders with Bynum (and Ariza) still out and Fisher playing hurt.

SI.com
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 8 | Diff: +5

Pau Gasol’s return from his ankle injury has vaulted them back into these lofty regions. Gasol had 20 points and nine rebounds Sunday at Sacramento as L.A. won its fourth straight game and stayed in the race for the West’s top seed.

Average Ranking: This Week: 4 | Last Week: 7 | Diff: +3