Lakers #4 in ESPN Rankings

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Credit where credit is due: Lakers haven't had Lamar for either of their meetings with Mavs and still matched up with the team in the top spot as well as anyone we've seen.</div>

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#4! Wow! When was the last time we were ranked that high? I can't wait to see our team with Odom and Kwame back!

 

I think Utah is a little high on the list. 12-9 since going 12-1? Yeah, that's not worthy of #3 in the league, no matter the quality of the wins.

 

<div class="quote_poster">yodawgsup Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think Utah is a little high on the list. 12-9 since going 12-1? Yeah, that's not worthy of #3 in the league, no matter the quality of the wins.</div>
Totally. The Jazz are at 7 in the REAL rankings, and Phoenix are number 1. If the playoffs were held today, Phoenix would have the rings because the team that passes like they do will beat the team where everyone is an iso-player (Mavs)
Here are the REAL phundamentalz power rankings.

1 Phoenix
2 Mavericks
3 Spurs
4 Lakers
5 Pistons
6 Cavaliers
7 Jazz
8 Bulls
9 Heat
10 Pacers

 

Phoenix's style of basketball doesn't translate to wins in the playoffs, hence why they can't get past the WCF. It's either going to be Dallas or San Antonio that come out of the West for one reason: They play defense. Phoenix, by the time the playoffs come around, I don't care how conditioned they are, will be pooped. They'll run out of gas from all the running they do in the season, and when that happens, they won't have any semblance of a good defense to fall back on. The saying defense wins championships isn't very far from the truth, especially in the NBA. And just wondering, why do you have the sub-.500 Heat up there and the enigmatic Pacers up there over teams like the Rockets and Wizards, teams that are actually playing well. And, I realize they struggled, but the Magic are still also playing better ball than the Pacers and Heat as well. And the Cavs, too low, should be ahead of a Detroit team that has struggled without Chauncey. Sorry to be critical, but those are pretty crappy.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Phoenix's style of basketball doesn't translate to wins in the playoffs, hence why they can't get past the WCF. It's either going to be Dallas or San Antonio that come out of the West for one reason: They play defense. Phoenix, by the time the playoffs come around, I don't care how conditioned they are, will be pooped. They'll run out of gas from all the running they do in the season, and when that happens, they won't have any semblance of a good defense to fall back on. The saying defense wins championships isn't very far from the truth, especially in the NBA. And just wondering, why do you have the sub-.500 Heat up there and the enigmatic Pacers up there over teams like the Rockets and Wizards, teams that are actually playing well. And, I realize they struggled, but the Magic are still also playing better ball than the Pacers and Heat as well. And the Cavs, too low, should be ahead of a Detroit team that has struggled without Chauncey. Sorry to be critical, but those are pretty crappy.</div>
well i factor in playoff experience and things like that.
Pacers and Detroit both have shown up for the big games this season. The Cavs are just too damn inconsistent. The Magic have yet to really impress me and they're just too damn young except for G-Hill. THe Heat are ranked high, I give them that spot just because they have such an amazing player in Dwyane.

And as far as Phoenix goes, their D is improved. Team D and also with Kurt Thomas and Amare back they don't tend to allow those lay-ups in the paint anymore. They're not a great defensive team but I think they've stopped being a team that gives up lay-ups in the 4th quarter. And their offensive system is again one of the best offensive systems in NBA history. They also come to play every night and the teams that they're supposed to beat, they don't only beat, they humiliate.

But you make solid arguments, it's up to Phoenix to prove me right in the 07 playoffs that they have become somewhat more D-minded.

I probably slept on the Rockets, my bad. But the Wiz and Magic are def. not in my top 10

 

<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">well i factor in playoff experience and things like that.
Pacers and Detroit both have shown up for the big games this season. The Cavs are just too damn inconsistent. The Magic have yet to really impress me and they're just too damn young except for G-Hill. THe Heat are ranked high, I give them that spot just because they have such an amazing player in Dwyane.

And as far as Phoenix goes, their D is improved. Team D and also with Kurt Thomas and Amare back they don't tend to allow those lay-ups in the paint anymore. They're not a great defensive team but I think they've stopped being a team that gives up lay-ups in the 4th quarter. And their offensive system is again one of the best offensive systems in NBA history. They also come to play every night and the teams that they're supposed to beat, they don't only beat, they humiliate.

But you make solid arguments, it's up to Phoenix to prove me right in the 07 playoffs that they have become somewhat more D-minded.

I probably slept on the Rockets, my bad. But the Wiz and Magic are def. not in my top 10</div>This is a what have you done for me lately league, not what did you do for me last year and the year before. The fact is that the Heat have played terrible this year and just lost their coach for what will likely be an extended period of time. DWade, I don't care how amazing he is, cannot do this on his own, and it's been shown. Without Shaq, the Heat have struggled. They aren't getting it done this year and might end up missing out on the playoffs if he doesn't get back soon. They're not playing well and don't deserve to be in the top 10.

And now you want to talk about inconsistency? The Pacers might be the most inconsistent team in the NBA. This is the same Pacer team that hasn't won more than 2 consecutive games. The same Pacer team that'll lose 3 in a row only to win back to back, and lose a couple more. They've shown no signs of consistency all season, yet you're going to knock the Magic and Cavs for it? I'm sorry, that's a double standard right there. The Magic and Cavs have at least been able to put up substantial winning streaks this year, something the Pacers can't do.

You also go and say the Magic are too young to be up there. Well, here's a news flash for ya, the Lakers and the Bulls are just as young as them, maybe younger, yet you're not afraid to put them at #5 and #8 respectively. So, to use youth as a justification to not rank someone, only to rank someone who is just as young, yet another double standard.

Another issue here. You're willing to give the Heat a top 10 spot because of DWade and playoff moxy. Well, last I knew, the Cavs had an even better player in LeBron James, and gave the Pistons all they could handle last year before being ousted in 7 games. But to me, none of that matters. It's a what have you done for me lately league, and a few of the teams you left out, being the Wiz, Rockets, Cavs, and Magic, are doing things, while two of the teams you have up there, the Pacers and Heat, aren't. The way you rank makes no sense, so, in the end you're rankings don't either.

One last thing here. You say the Suns defense has improved. Might I ask, but how? They're still giving up 103 ppg, which puts them at the 5th worst defense in the NBA. They're opponents FG% is at .451%, and while it's #11, it's still a pretty high clip to be giving up. They still give up the 2nd most rebounds in the NBA and get outrebounded by nearly 4 per game. I can say that they're defense has improved, but by no means is it good. It's still not good enough to get them through the playoffs and to the Finals, no way.

 

I see you like to debate. I hope you're doing it cause you enjoy it like me.
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">And now you want to talk about inconsistency? The Pacers might be the most inconsistent team in the NBA. </div>Pacers have had their issues so you make a good point. But check out the "adjusted" standings - Pacers have a great record against good teams and on the road. Plus they're frontcourt is great and their playoff experience is great too that's why I put them in the top 10.
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You also go and say the Magic are too young to be up there. Well, here's a news flash for ya, the Lakers and the Bulls are just as young as them, maybe younger, yet you're not afraid to put them at #5 and #8 respectively. So, to use youth as a justification to not rank someone, only to rank someone who is just as young, yet another double standard.
</div>The Lakers have 1) Ultra veteran coaching 2) Ultra veteran Kobe as well as a whole crew of veterans like Kareem and Kurt Rambis etc. helping them out, plus Luke and Lamar are experienced in this league. The Bulls likewise are anchored by a veteran player, Ben Wallace and the rest of the guys have been playing a few years too. My point about the Magic being young is their focal points - Dwight, Jameer, are young. Lakers and Chicago focal points are NOT young, they're vets.<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
Another issue here. You're willing to give the Heat a top 10 spot because of DWade and playoff moxy. Well, last I knew, the Cavs had an even better player in LeBron James, </div>D Wade is a better player than LeBron in my mind. He's more able to will his team to victory when needed most.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
One last thing here. You say the Suns defense has improved. Might I ask, but how? They're still giving up 103 ppg, which puts them at the 5th worst defense in the NBA. They're opponents FG% is at .451%, and while it's #11, it's still a pretty high clip to be giving up. They still give up the 2nd most rebounds in the NBA and get outrebounded by nearly 4 per game. I can say that they're defense has improved, but by no means is it good. It's still not good enough to get them through the playoffs and to the Finals, no way.</div>ppg that they give up is huge, however the style that they play means they're going to give up a bunch of points. My point is that if you watch them play, when it MATTERS, like when they have a 10-point lead in the fourth, they tend to buckle down on D like they didn't last year. And #11 in FG% is really not that bad.

 

alright.....you cant talk about the suns defense if you dont watch there games. there defense is not the best in the league, but it is extremely better then the last 2 seasons. have you seen amares improved rebounding, blocks and overall defense? probably not because your too busy getting off on the fact that the lakers were number 4 overall in espns power rankings.

 

Bottom line is this

No one is going to agree with the fact the Suns are the best team until they prove It in the playoffs. Prove they can get key stops late in games while also scoring in the last 3 minutes against top quailty defense.

Dallas went through the same, they didn't get much respect around the league the last few years until they started to prove they can play defense.

Good overall rankings. Hard to argue them really.

Shocked that the Cavs have the best overall record. They don't look a great team to be honest. Guess the east is that bad and the fact other top teams have got injures. Example Pistons with Billups. 1-4 without Chauncey. Hardly a surprise.

 

GREAT ! While I was away, Kobe has been playing superb basketball ! Someone could name up some important points or something while I was away. It would help me alot.

I'm officially back btw, L.A. for the title !

 

<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Totally. The Jazz are at 7 in the REAL rankings, and Phoenix are number 1. If the playoffs were held today, Phoenix would have the rings because the team that passes like they do will beat the team where everyone is an iso-player (Mavs)
Here are the REAL phundamentalz power rankings.

1 Phoenix
2 Mavericks
3 Spurs
4 Lakers
5 Pistons
6 Cavaliers
7 Jazz
8 Bulls
9 Heat
10 Pacers</div>
Rockets not in top 10? Phundamentalz rankings are a joke

 

U put the pacers instead of the rockets wow that is a joke

 

<div class="quote_poster">egyptianlaker32 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">U put the pacers instead of the rockets wow that is a joke</div>

you're a joke i said I slept on Houston READ THE THREAD

 

<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">At least they ranked us ahead of Houston this time. Last week's rankings were a joke, and so was the explanation. #4 is just right for the Lakers, I hope we can finish top 4 in the West for the playoffs.</div>

I don't understand why Laker fans were complaining with that ranking. Lakers have played more home games than any team in the league, and the Rockets had the fewest home games in the Western conference. Sagarin's rankings which adjust for strength of schedule had us higher than the Lakers. Plus, our point-differential was better. Both teams were playing well (the Lakers without Odom, the Rockets without Yao).

 

<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I didn't agree with it because of the reasoning Stein gave. He predetermined the Lakers would go on a losing streak with Kwame injured. Ranking a team based on what might happen doesn't make any sense.</div>

I see. I don't understand what power rankings are describing. Is it performane from the beginning of the season up to that point, what they've done in the last week, or how well we can expect them to play in the near future (based on what they've been doing, injuries, etc.)?