Readers were evenly-split this week between those who applauded the choice to keep the Lakers in the top spot in the Power Rankings, and those who thought we must be on the team's payroll. After the Lakers' loss on Tuesday (read: NOT included in the Power Rankings, which go through Monday), we were lambasted by those who couldn't believe the injustice of how we'd ranked Los Angeles over the Kings. Hindsight is a beautiful thing, people.

	The Kings have loads of talent and now have Chris Webber back ... look out!

You guys are biased
Kings team page
Thanks for confirming the "Laker Conspiracy Theory"... It wasn't enough that the Lakers (seemingly) had eight men on the floor (counting the refs) to keep last Friday's game against the Kings close, but now, you penalize the Kings for winning ugly against Miami!!! THE KINGS DID NOT LOSE, THEY WON!!! As I recall, no such "penalty" was issued to the Lakers when they went O.T. against the lowly Rockets or lost to the Suns ... The Kings go 3-0 for the week and beat the Lakers and Sixers in that week, and still stay at No. 2? The Lakers go 1-1, yet stay No. 1? Yeah, that makes sense.

Mike Campos
Sacramento, Calif.

I think this is pretty textbook. The Kings beat the Lakers without Webber. Now they have Webber back. Shouldn't they be No. 1? That stuff about having a shaky performance against Miami doesn't cut it. I guess you're just waiting for the Kings to take off or the Lakers to falter more.

John Catterson
Sacramento, Calif.

So you don't think the BCS is fair, but you use the same judgement when ranking the NBA's top two teams. The Kings beat the Lakers without Chris Webber and still you give them no respect. The Kings beat San Antonio as well. Why don't you just rank San Antonio second instead of the Kings? Reward teams for losing. That's a good system. If the season were to end today you would probably have the Lakers against the Knicks. Better TV ratings and more tradition right? That's why we all have to watch Nebraska against Miami this year. Maybe we should just start handing out trophies and titles before the season starts. Would that make you happy? You should work for the BCS or maybe you do.

Roland Taylor
San Francisco, Calif.

You got that one right...
Lakers team page
After years of disagreeing with you, I must admit you hit the nail right on the head. I don't see anything wrong with this week's rankings. All I can say is Lakers, "Watch your back!" the Kings are coming...

Danny V.
Sacramento, Calif.

The Lakers are definitely the top team and always will be the top team. They are allowed to get bored and lose a few games. The Kings should forget about trying to be No. 1 and just go after the No. 2 spot. If they even try to challenge the Lakers, Shaq, Kobe, and co. will just pick up the broom they used on the boys from Sac-town last year, and use it again to sweep them right back down to No. 2 where they belong...

Steve
Los Angeles, Calif.

Enough of this California stuff...
Spurs team page
Can we get a little more love for the Spurs please? If the rankings are truly a snapshot of the moment then they are clearly the playing the most balanced and effective team ball right now. The Lakers are set for their annual midseason "we're too cool and too bored with the league, time for some infighting" ritual. And the Kings? Four words. Bill Simmons' "Ewing Theory."

Bill
Detroit, Mich.

Don't let the Suns go down
Suns team page
I can't believe you don't give the Suns more credit than you have. For a team which toasted all the top teams (Lakers, Bucks, and Kings), you sure do give them a low score. Despite the slow start I would argue that with the exception of the Lakers the Suns are just as good as anyone in the league. You should give them more credit.

Jason Barnes
Phoenix, Ariz.

Jazz lovers unite
Jazz team page
I just have one question: How on earth can you rank the Clippers above the Jazz? How many times have the Clippers beaten the Jazz this year? Zero. How many times have the Jazz beat the Clippers? Two. I can't wait to hear what you guys have to say when the Jazz continue to win. You know deep down in your hearts they are better than the No. 17 ranking you have given them. I realize the Jazz aren't a top five team any more, but you guys ought to admit the fact that even you didn't predict their slow start this year.

Amy Rasmussen
Provo, Utah

Celtic pride, Celtic delusions
Celtics team page
I can not believe the Celtics are ranked ninth and the Lakers are ranked first. At the least, the Celtics should always be ranked ahead of the Lakers. Aren't you familiar with that long-standing rule. Oh, I suppose you want some evidence? You guys are tough. Ok, the Celtics are 3-0 versus the West while the Lakers are only 2-0 versus the East. In addition, the Celtics are 2-1 in their last three games and 7-1 in their last eight games; the hapless Lakers are 1-2 in their last three games.

(Ok, truth be told: hallelujah the Celtics are over .500 at this point in the year, they are winning on the road and they won in MSG. So, let me celebrate a little and make potentially specious statements -- smile.)

Bruce Weinberg
Boston, Mass.

A load of Bull
Bulls team page
C'mon, what other team besides the Bulls DOUBLED their win total last week? That's gotta be worth a couple spots, especially after ending Boston's streak!

Mike Aparicio
San Diego, Calif.

No respect for Motown
Pistons team page
When will the Pistons finally get some true respect? The Power Rankings the last two weeks have done them total justice, yet they continue to be largely ignored. HELLO!!! As of December 12, they are No. 1 in the East. Not the Bucks. Not the Sixers, not Everyone's Beloved Nets. I know it's early in the year, but at worst they're a four or five seed come playoff time. But if Milwaukee, Toronto, and Philly aren't careful, their road to glory may have to go through Motown. And by the way, to the guy from Jersey who said "The Pistons Stink"...Those Pistons hold the only blowout over the New Jersey Nots!

Jason
Detroit, Mich.

What are you, drunk?
Sixers team page
So half of the Sixers are injured and now they're "lottery-bound?" Are you crazy? The Sixers proved last year that they were the best team in the Eastern Conference and I PROMISE you that they will return to the conference finals this year. Sure, you can drop them in the rankings because of their recent losing streak, but to insinuate that they won't make the playoffs is utterly ridiculous.

Dan Rash
Wilmington, Del.

Those horrible Rockets
Rockets team page
Alright, let's get this out of the way first. I am a Rockets fan. But even I know when to call it quits ... With Francis still weeks away, and the loses only mounting I say scrap the season and draft Yao Ming (a TRUE big man) next season. So why don't you drop the Rockets to last so that hopefully, they'll end up with the first pick in next year's draft? Well, ok, maybe not last, as nobody deserves to be below the pathetic Heat...

Jason Hsu
Santa Barbara, Calif.