| | Rankings as of Tuesday, Dec. 28
|  | | Indiana's Austin Croshere goes up for a shot against New York's Marcus Camby on Saturday. |
Still think the West is best? Well, we'll allow you that the two top teams in the NBA play out West, but after that it gets a little iffy. In fact, people have been writing in to us to state that the East is actually stronger, and frankly, we may agree with them.
Now that the Sonics and Kings have come back to earth, swiftly, our Power Rankings this week have five teams from each conference in the top 10, and pretty decent teams in Philly, Orlando (who would've thunk it?) and Toronto lurking.
As for our top spot, and No. 2, they remain the same this week. Hurrah! It's the first time this has happened all season. We salute the Lakers and Pacers for their Christmas wins, but really didn't penalize the Spurs and Knicks for the close losses. Knicks fans, whom we hear from vigorously each week, will be happy (but never satisfied) to see that.
Anyway, here are the ESPN.com Power Rankings as of Dec. 28. Let us know your thoughts by clicking here and giving us a few Rank Comments of your own. But please remember that these rankings were compiled Tuesday morning and anything that happens beginning Tuesday night will not be reflected. Also, keep in mind we really don't care what a team's record is. Cleveland has more wins than five teams ahead of them, but when you lose seven straight, it counts more.
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Team (Record)
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Last week
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Pvs.
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ESPN.com skinny
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1. Lakers (24-5)
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2-0
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1
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We think Rice is staying here, but he doesn't look real good in this offense
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2. Blazers (20-7)
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2-0
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2
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The griping is beginning (Schrempf, B. Grant); Can team overcome?
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3. Pacers (18-9)
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3-0
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9
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If we have to read one more story about how Chris Mullin never plays...
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4. Spurs (20-10)
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2-2
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5
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Spurs can match up with Lakers in playoffs; With Elliott, do Spurs win?
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5. Knicks (17-11)
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1-1
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8
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Move up by attrition; Kurt Thomas really wants to be the next Oakley
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6. Hornets (17-10)
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1-2
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6
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Another two weeks without Eddie, so Wesley, Phills and rookies step up
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7. Suns (18-10)
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1-3
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3
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No problem losing in Utah and San Antone, but Dallas? Kidd doing it all
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8. Heat (17-9)
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1-1
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11
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For Zo to win games without Mash and Timmy is really amazing
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9. Bucks (16-12)
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2-1
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13
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Scott Williams has been great, but health not really his strong point
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10. Jazz (17-10)
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1-1
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10
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Nice win vs. Phoenix, tough loss to Heat; This team will do this all year
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11. Paytons (18-10)
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0-3
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4
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Paytons, um, we mean Sonics, struggle vs. good or average teams
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12. Nuggets (14-12)
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1-1
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7
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We wouldn't call a split with Grizz a good week; Check out Keon Clark
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13. 76ers (16-14)
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2-1
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12
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Are 2-0 on West trip with G.S. and Portland left; Scoring race is over
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14. Magic (15-12)
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2-1
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15
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Um, Doc, remember you can't get a lottery pick if you make the playoffs!
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15. Kings (15-10)
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2-1
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14
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Hey, Nick scored the other night! And was that a Corliss sighting, too?
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16. Raptors (15-12)
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2-1
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16
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Why not let Muggsy run team for 30 minutes and double-team post-ups?
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17. Wolves (12-13)
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3-0
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19
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Weird team; Lose eight straight, then win five; It's all about Garnett's help
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18. Nets (10-18)
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2-1
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17
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Still look like a playoff team with Jayson, even if he barely plays
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19. Wizards (10-18)
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2-1
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20
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Jahidi White as a starter: 12 points, 9 boards; Ike off bench: 6 points, 2 rebs
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20. Pistons (13-14)
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1-1
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18
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Most average team in NBA; Getting Mo Taylor could change all that
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21. Hawks (11-16)
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1-2
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21
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Over-under on LaPhonso Ellis' games this year? How about 40?
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22. Rockets (9-19)
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1-2
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23
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Cato in last four games: 27, 6, 20 and 4 points, with 12, 7, 12 and 5 boards
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23. Clippers (9-18)
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3-0
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27
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No. 23 not a misprint; Maybe Troy Hudson's play was the key all along
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24. Celtics (11-15)
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1-1
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24
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Oh, Danny boy, get back in there and rebound, Potapenko sure can't
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25. Mavericks (9-20)
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1-2
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26
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Next coach to go may be Nelson; Vote for Finley for all-star game
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26. Cavaliers (11-16)
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0-3
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22
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Nice seven-game losing streak; Kemp is 22-for-73 on FGs in span
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27. Warriors (6-22)
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0-4
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25
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Talk about a plum job; St. Jean's big change was to start Foyle again
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28. Grizzlies (6-21)
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1-2
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28
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Othella in Nov.: 16.9, 7.9, .554 FG; In December, 11.4, 6.5 and .463
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29. Bulls (2-23)
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0-3
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29
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For the record, the three assists vs. Jersey: Benjamin (2) and Perdue
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ALSO SEE
NBA Power Rankings, Dec. 21
NBA Power Rankings, Dec. 14
NBA Power Rankings, Dec. 7
NBA Power Rankings, Nov. 30
Around The Rim, Dec. 27
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