Another week, another controversial Power Rankings. Predictably, Lakers fans remain incensed that their team has been moved from the top spot. Many point to the playoffs last year, and the dominance of Shaq/Kobe. Folks, we know this. We enjoy watching the Purple and Gold as much as anyone, when they are clicking. No, the Power Rankings staff does not believe the Lakers are fading. Put simply, when the Lakers resume playing the best basketball in the league, they'll be right back atop our rankings. But losses to Memphis and now Golden State? The most dominant team of the moment? We think not.

	Rest assured Kobe isn't too worried about the Lakers' temporary fall in the Power Rankings.

Enough already!
Lakers team page
Look! Last week you had the Spurs as the top team also, but that was cool cause they deserved it. This week though, the Spurs should be second to the Lakers for two reasons:
1. Have the Spurs beat the Lakers lately? The Spurs have played well this season, but they have a 4-4 record vs. winning teams (as was pointed out in the Power Ranking)
2.The Spurs are 20-5, which is one more lose than the Lakers at 20-4. All facts point to the Lakers being the top club. Maybe the 1/19 game will clear this little misunderstanding up for us!

LaShan Mimms
Sacramento, Calif.

One week was cute, but the Lakers have the best record in basketball and are able to win without Shaq. Stop kidding around and place the Champs back on the pedestal.

Jonathan
Sacramento, Calif.

Are you crazy? Do you really think that the Lakers are the second best team in the league??? Their slump has ended them up with STILL the best record in Basketball. You even site the Spurs record of 4-4 against winning teams. The rankings become suspect when you do things just for the sake of change.

Chuck Lovell
Hesperia, Calif.

Put the Lakers at No. 29. It doesn't matter. They will be awake for the playoffs.

Daniel Sands
Los Angeles, Calif.

Good call, ESPN
Spurs team page
It's always a miracle to see the Power Rankings rank the right team at the top of the list, but two weeks in a row? I'm pleasantly surprised to see the Spurs, the NBA's all-around best team, still sitting in the No. 1 spot. This team is solid at every position, unlike the Lakers who are so vulnerable at the power forward and point guard position. Lakers will end the season a solid No. 3 team with both Sacramento and S.A. getting the better of them. Then again, I guess the Kings need to get rid of that "horrible" Webber guy that they've decided they will play better without before they make a serious run at L.A.

Jesse Wells
Houston, TX

I think it's great to see San Antonio back up top the power ranking. Yes, the Lakers are an excellent team, but they aren't the best ever. San Antonio is playing better ball right now, so to all you Laker fans, you must give credit were credit is due. The power rankings really mean nothing as of right now, we'll see who is playing better ball come playoff time.

Joseph
Louisville, KY

I can't believe that the Lakers are still No. 2 on your list. I am the biggest Laker fan but that loss to the Griz was a complete failure. They should be ranked at the bottom of the rankings just for punishment. This whole team is starting to remind me of Randy Moss, lots of talent and the ability to burn people at will but lacks motivation.

Daniel
Huntington Beach, Calif.

It's easy being green
Celtics team page
The BOSTON CELTICS ... finally getting some credit from the guys at ESPN. I was at a game last week and noticed a 180-degree change from last year. They hustle as a team, they play as a team, and they win as a team ... it's nice to see the best franchise in all of sports back at the top!

Eric S. Smookler
Newton, Mass.

Gotta believe
Wizards team page
I have but one simple question to ask everyone who checks these rankings. Everyone in the world who thought the Wizards would have a streak of wins this long please stand up ... If anyone stood up, we know you are lying, and that includes you Mr. Jordan. I LOVE THIS GAME!

Rick Adams
Aberdeen, Scotland

Second-best present ever
Bulls team page
Tim Floyd's resignation as a Christmas gift to Chicago Bulls fans is like being a little kid and unwrapping your big Christmas gift of the year and receiving a big wool sweater. It's nice, but you were really hoping to get that new video game system. Of course, for Bulls fans, that video game system is called the X-Krause.

Michael Sacks
Schaumburg, Ill.

The Chicago Bulls at number 29? Are you people crazy? As a fan of basketball I have to say that if Dr. James Naismith saw your rankings he'd be doing cartwheels in his grave because the Chicago Bulls are much MUCH worse than No. 29. I suggest that you start putting teams from the NBDL and NCAA ahead of the Bulls until they start showing the fans that they are in fact a real NBA team. I'm no expert, but I watch a lot of sports and I think Duke would give the Bulls all they could handle. So next week, let's give the other teams a chance to shine and move the Bulls down farther where they belong.

Mark
Columbia, SC

Disrespect, still
Mavericks team page
I'm just curious why when the Kings are ranked third on the Power Rankings, they're considered one of the "Big Three," but when the Mavs are ranked 3rd they're "Up and Comers." Sorry, but no way. The truth of the matter is that there is no definite third place team just like their is no definite first place team. The battle for power between the top four teams can switch as quickly as night and day. Besides when it comes to the playoffs it will come down to the top four teams. The Lakers, the Spurs, The Mavs, and the Kings, sorry Minnesota. And mark my words, it won't be a replay of last year.

Jason Eddington
Dallas, TX

Confused (and for good reason)
Suns team page
I'm not usually one to complain about such things, but in your Dec. 11 Power Rankings, the Phoenix Suns were 10th, under the heading "Better Than We Thought." Two rankings later, on Dec. 12, they were at No. 14, under the heading "They Should Be Better." So which is it? Are they over-achieving, or under-achieving? For the record, your First Power rankings of the season, on Nov. 6, have the Suns at No. 23, under the heading "How the Mighty Have ...." Doesn't that mean they are better than you thought at 10 or 14? But that they should be worse than 14? I'm confused.

Matthew L. Schwartz
New York, NY

Finally!
Clippers team page
It took almost one-third of the season but I knew you'd finally succumb to putting the Clips where they belong ... in the top 10 this year. I knew you guys were smoking something to have both the Hawks and Magic so high in the summer. Even healthy, the Magic would not be ready for the East crown yet. Look for the Clips to further solidify their position, the T-wolves to slip and the Raptors to improve.

Steve J. Malouf
Oak Park, Calif.

One last slam
Kings team page
Maybe you won't know if the Spurs are really that good until they play the Kings, oh wait, they already have played them twice, home and away, and lost both times. But since Chris Webber wasn't playing for the Kings during those losses, the Spurs have an excuse for losing both games.

Bart Barringer
Modesto, Calif.