Every Monday, the Lakers Basketblog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings.
NBA.com
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1 | Diff: N/A
Maybe the two blowouts of the Clippers didn’t convince you that the Lakers are the best team of the early season, but a 29-point drubbing of the Rockets on Sunday should have. The Lakers have been dominant while Kobe’s numbers have been relatively pedestrian. Great defense allows for that.
ESPN.com
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 1 | Diff: -1
Two more dominating displays, including a 29-point beatdown of the Ron Artest-fueled Rockets, have hiked the Lakers’ average margin of victory to a whopping 22.4 points per game. Next in line: Atlanta at a mere 10.2 ppg.
SI.com
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 2 | Diff: +1
They crushed the Rockets on Sunday for their best start since 2003-04. They also improved their average margin of victory to a whopping 22.4 points. But big tests await this week at New Orleans (Wednesday) and back home against Iverson and the new-look Pistons (Friday).
Average Ranking: This Week: 1.33 | Last Week: 1.33 | Diff: 0
Every Monday, the Lakers Basketblog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings.
NBA.com
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 2 | Diff: +1
It looks like the talk about focusing on defense wasn’t just lip service, and Saturday’s win in Denver of an example of how defense can get you a win when you aren’t shooting well. Outrebounding your opponent 15-3 on the offensive boards helps too.
ESPN.com
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 2 | Diff: +1
The Lakers’ average margin of victory is down to 21.7 ppg after they could squeak out only a seven-point win Saturday night at Denver. That qualifies as the closest thing to a flaw we’ve seen during L.A.’s flashy start.
SI.com
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 2 | Diff: 0
Phil Jackson has shaved his beard and changed up his hair and eyewear in yet another Hollywood extreme makeover for the Zen Master. With Andrew Bynum in the middle and Lamar Odom coming off the bench, one might say the same about his team. But the Lakers still have the same old Kobe Bryant, and he has them looking as potent as they did a year ago (at least before the Finals).
Average Ranking: This Week: 1.33 | Last Year: 2 | Diff: +.66
Every Monday, the Lakers Basketblog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings. With the season kicking off tomorrow here’s a look at the pre-season rankings.
NBA.com
This Week: 2 | Last Year: 2 | Diff: 0
Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are saying that they need to improve their defense to win it all, and there’s nothing wrong with saying that. But it was their offense that was more of an issue in the Finals, and Andrew Bynum’s return should help the D anyway. They were stronger defensively before he got hurt (105.3 points allowed per 100 possessions) than they were after (108.6).
ESPN.com
This Week: 2 | Last Year: 2 | Diff: 0
It’s a good thing L.A. is so stacked, because it has some history to overcome along with all that tough comp out West. The losing team in the Finals, remember, hasn’t won the next season’s title since 1989.
Average Ranking: This Week: 2 | Last Year: 2 | Diff: 0
Every Monday, the Lakers Basketblog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings.
NBA.com
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 5 | Diff: +3
Sunday’s blowout of the Spurs was certainly a statement, but home court in the playoffs probably doesn’t mean as much to the Lakers (29-11 at STAPLES with one more to play) than it would for some of the other contenders. No matter what, they may have to go through much of the postseason without Andrew Bynum.
ESPN.com
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 4 | Diff: +2
Let the record show that this MVP vote for Kobe was posted before L.A.’s weekend wins over the Hornets and Spurs. One more win now should clinch Kobe’s MVP trophy and the West’s top seed.
SI.com
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 3 | Diff: +1
A season that began with turmoil surrounding Kobe Bryant’s future with the team has become something out of a Hollywood movie. Bryant’s MVP-type season — and a blockbuster trade for Pau Gasol — has the Lakers back atop the West and a prime title contender.
Average Ranking: This Week: 2 | Last Week: 4 | Diff: +2
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
Every Monday, the Lakers Basketblog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings.
NBA.com
This Week: 7 | Last Week: 5 | Diff: -2
After inexplicable losses to the Bobcats and Grizzlies at STAPLES Center, the Lakers needed OT to beat the Wizards after blowing a late lead. With Derek Fisher playing through a partially torn tendon in his foot, are the Lakers looking vulnerable? Fortunately, Pau Gasol should be back on Wednesday.
ESPN.com
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 4 | Diff: -2
Did we speak too soon? Could back-to-back home Ls to Charlotte and Memphis cost Kobe his first MVP trophy? Is the division slipping away? Just add those to list of injury questions about Pau, Bynum and now Fisher.
SI.com
This Week: 8 | Last Week: 3 | Diff: -5
They survived the Wizards in OT on Sunday to get back on track after consecutive embarrassing home losses to the Bobcats and Grizzlies. But Phil Jackson’s main concern right now has to be injuries, with Derek Fisher (sore foot) having joined Pau Gasol (ankle) and Andrew Bynum (knee) as question marks heading into the postseason.
Average Ranking: This Week: 7 | Last Week: 4 | Diff: -3
Every Monday, the Lakers Basketblog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings.
NBA.com
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 5 | Diff: 0
With Sunday’s loss to Golden State, the Lakers are now a game behind the Hornets in the loss column, but they’ve nine of their last 12 games are at STAPLES Center (including a “road game” against the Clippers), and the big guys are on their way back.
ESPN.com
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 5 | Diff: +1
Nothing could have topped Boston’s week, but the Lakers were at least in that zip code before losing at home to Golden State. Wins don’t get much bigger than L.A.’s roadies in Dallas and Utah without Pau and Bynum.
SI.com
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 9 | Diff: +6
They made a statement of their own by winning back-to-back at Dallas and Utah (without Pau Gasol) to finish 2-2 on their recent trip. With nine of their final 12 at Staples Center (including a “road” game against the Clippers), Kobe Bryant’s crew is well-positioned for a top seed — even if Andrew Bynum doesn’t return until the playoffs.
Average Ranking: This Week: 4 | Last Week: 6 | Diff: +2
Every Monday, the Lakers Basketblog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings.
NBA.com
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 3 | Diff: -2
No one will miss Pau Gasol (estimated to be out for another two weeks) more than Lamar Odom. Since Gasol arrived in L.A., Odom is shooting an unbelievable .633 from the field.
ESPN.com
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 3 | Diff: -2
It won’t be easy — and the Lakers honestly have bigger concerns if Pau isn’t back in a few games — but Kobe can’t do his MVP campaign any harm if he can keep LA in the top five with Bynum and Gasol out injured.
SI.com
This Week: 9 | Last Week: 6 | Diff: -3
The loss of Pau Gasol (sprained ankle) for at least a week knocks them down a few spots in these rankings. With stops this week at Dallas (Tuesday) and Utah (Thursday), on the heels of losses at New Orleans and Houston, they could easily go winless on their four-game trip.
Average Ranking: This Week: 6.33 | Last Week: 4 | Diff: -2.33
Every Monday the Lakers.com BasketBlog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings.
NBA.com
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 3 | Diff: 0
After seeing how easily the Kings got to the basket in the first half last night, Laker fans might be wondering if Andrew Bynum is close to returning. Answer: No. After hosting the Raptors (81!) on Tuesday, the Lakers have a rough trip (New Orleans, Houston, Dallas and Utah) in front of them.
ESPN.com
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 2 | Diff: -1
The Lakers have lost more games since we bumped them up to the top spot on Feb. 25 — two — than they dropped in the first three-plus weeks of February. You don’t think it was us who jinxed them, do you?
SI.com
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 3 | Diff: -3
Kobe Bryant couldn’t bail them out at the last second in Sunday’s loss to the Kings that snapped a three-game winning streak. They head out on a four-game road trip at New Orleans, Houston, Dallas and Utah beginning Friday.
Average Ranking: 4 | Last Week: 2.66 | Diff: -1.33
Every Monday the Lakers.com BasketBlog checks the net to bring you the latest NBA power rankings.
NBA.com
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 1 | Diff: -2
You could chalk up Friday’s loss in Portland, which ended the Lakers’ 10-game winning streak, to fatigue. And you can chalk up Sunday’s win over the Mavs to my new pick for MVP (sorry, KG), Kobe Bryant.
ESPN.com
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 1 | Diff: -1
The latest pearl of Zen wisdom from Phil Jackson: “40 before 20.” Translation: You must win 40 games before you lose 20 to be seen as an elite team . . . and these Lakers just did so for the first time since Shaq left.
SI.com
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 3 | Diff: 0
They downed the Mavericks on Sunday in OT to get back on track after having their 10-game winning streak snapped in Portland. Kobe Bryant had an NBA-season-high 52 points, along with 10 rebounds, to continue his MVP surge.
Average Ranking: 2.66 | Last Week: 1.66 | Diff: +1
