With the Lakers out of the top spot for three straight weeks, we're noticing a trend: Fewer and fewer readers are screaming at us for placing the Lakers anywhere other than No. 1 in our Power Rankings. This time, even some die-hard fans admitted that at this moment, the Lakers are not playing to their potential. Some called for us to move them down further. But mostly, many hailed the decision to place the Mavericks atop the rankings. If fans know anything, here's a word to the wise: Watch out for Eduardo Najera. He's a keeper.
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| Some readers said our picture of Dirk had to go. Here's a better one. |
As usual we got a nice cross-section of responses, including many from Kings' fans who are pretty unhappy with their team's place at No. 3. Here are some of them.
It's about time
Mavericks team page
It is about time that someone other than those overrated Spurs or overhyped Lakers are in the top spot. Too often teams are placed at the pinnacle based on reputation of what they have done in past seasons or what they are expected to do. Let's focus on the here and now, such as the Mavs current 10-game winning streak, which they have been able to keep going amidst a rash of injuries to key personnel: Finley, Eschmeyer, Griffin, Newman, Buckner, and (don't laugh here, I already know what you are thinking) Bradley. My point is, the Mavs are the hottest ticket in the league, and they are only going to get better. So get used to it, NBA watchdogs.
Jay Tidwell
Arlington, TX
Wow---The Power Rankings finally respect the hottest team by placing the Mavs first. Congrats! Now all the Mavs have to do is prove that they can beat the Lakers and they will be golden. This is probably the first time in franchise history that we are first in anything positive, so everyone out there let us enjoy this! Nash should definately be an all-star (only Kidd and Miller are playing better) along side Dirk and Finley, who is incidently the best player in the NBA named Michael. Keep it going Mavs!
Eric Kusin
Los Angeles, Calif.
I am speechless. You remembered the Mavs. Admitedly, with Shaq, the Lakers are the Cadillacs of the league, but you guys haven't ignored the most impressive winning streak of the season. Way to go fellas! I think with a win over San Antonio, two over Minnesota, and one over Portland in the now 10-game streak, you have to consider this team in the top three basically all season. Dallas is the only team in the West that can challenge the Lakers, and if the Big Three are all hitting for 20-plus a game, then they just might do it.
Graham Dyer
Austin, TX
No way, not a chance
Lakers team page
This is ridiculous! How could you place anyone above the Lakers in a Power Ranking. On your own web page, the Lakers are in the top five in your comparisons rankings for PPG, OPP. PPG., and they are No. 1 in OPP. FG%. No other team is in the top five in all three of these categories. Only the Lakers stand way above everyone else in the entire NBA! You are just trying to start controversy and conversation and I'm sure it worked. But this is still ridiculous and everyone knows it.
Lew Wallis
Cantania, Sicily, Italy
Lakers own the top spot until one of two things happen:
They lose three games in a row for the first time since Phil Jackson came aboard.
They do not win the championship.
Another bigger hint on who is still No. 1 one would be the performance in last year's real games, the playoffs. 15-1 is enough to secure the spot until further notice! Power means results, not day-to-day, but real results at the end.
Joel Catron
Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
OK, mind you, this is coming from a guy who bought season tix to the Mavs as soon as he got out of college in '96 and suffered through some bad seasons and so I am a fan, but we are not the best team right now. The Mavs are good, really good, but there still is something lacking that would put us over the top. Are we hot right now? Yes! But a seven game series right now against a strong inside team would probably cool us off. The knock is sounding and LA hears it and as soon we find a way around Shaq the house is ours, but for now we're still on the cusp.
Brian Abbey
Dallas, TX
As much of a Lakers fan as I am and as hard as it's been to see the Lakers out of the top spot the last couple of weeks, I still think the Lakers are somewhat to lucky to be at No. 2. That loss to Toronto at home with Carter out for most of the second half was disheartening. ... And the loss to the Warriors was just embarrassing, Shaq or no Shaq.
Vinnie Leduc
Irvine, Calif.
Also claiming the throne
Kings team page
Ok, maybe Dallas deserves the No. 1 spot considering that this is the only time of the season that they will actually have a shot at it. But should the Lakers be ranked above the Kings? Sacramento beat two good teams and go 3-0 for the week, the Lakers lose to Warriors and Raptors and go 2-2. Hmmmmmmm, very interesting rankings you seem to have come up with this week. Can't wait to see what happens next.
Dan Willis
Sacramento, Calif.
The Real Spurs are back
Spurs team page
I am glad to see that you guys came to your senses and realized that the Spurs have had the benefit of their schedule for their ranking last week. Although I do believe the Mavs are incredibly hot, I still think the Lakers and Kings are better (maybe not this week but overall). I can't wait until the Mavs play the Spurs again this weekend! The true Spurs are starting to show...
Daniel
Los Angeles, Calif.
Constant disrespect
Wolves team page
What is with you guys and your blatant disrespect for the Wolves. You have your "Big Three," now you have your "Big Four" ... and you always have the Wolves one step below. What gives??? If anyone should be on the outside looking in it's the Spurs who have yet to prove they can beat winning teams.
Carl Lockrem
St. Paul, Minn.
Give the man some credit!
Wizards team page
Wizards at No. 11? Come on. How can you guys call yourselves experts ... if you're not convinced now that Jordan is offically back after the 51 and 45-point shows he put on. I mean, this team's Pippen is hurt, and they're still winning with guys like Chris Whitney, Hubert Davis, Popeye Jones, and Jahidi White starting alongside MJ
and you rank them No. 11? The fact that this team has won 16 games already is a testimate to Jordan's greatness. Send a memo out to all your genious writers to start predicting some more Jordan greatness and stop letting Jordan prove them wrong.
Matt Hamm
Elkton, MD
Putting the "Por" in Portland
Blazers team page
I'm a Portland Trail Blazer fan to the core. Have the Red, black and white swimming in my veins. But 18th in the Power Rankings? Come on ...you're being overly generous. This Portland team has done nothing but give the fans a black eye. And they wonder why the home crowd cheers more for the opposing teams stars than it does for it's own. Please put them where they should be ... somewhere between 24 and 27. Say good-bye to the longest playoff appearance streak in the NBA, because this year the Blazers are going to end a very long tradition and be a lottery team plain and simple.
Randy Swope
Denver, Colo.
Age before beauty
Jazz team page
Stop hating on the old guys! I know Stockton and Malone are almost 80-years old combined, but give them some props. Ranking the Jazz behind the Clippers? They have the same record, but the Jazz are 2-0 against Los Angeles' most exciting team, and the Oldies are on a four-game winning streak. Does anyone really think the Clippers record will be so gaudy once they have to play somewhere other than the Staples Center? Are the Jazz more talented than the Clippers? No way. Are they a better bet to make the playoffs? You haven't been watching the league for the past 18 years if you say no.
Prescott
Philadelphia, Penn.
