NBA Power Rankings Week 5: How good are the Utah Jazz?

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 21, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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1. team. 20. . 13-4. Previous: 1st. Los Angeles Lakers

Last Week: Lost to Golden State Warriors 115-113, Beat Milwaukee Bucks 113-106, Beat Chicago Bulls 101-90

This Week: 1/25 at Cleveland Cavaliers, 1/27 at Philadelphia 76ers, 1/28 at Detroit Pistons, 1/30 at Boston Celtics

Trying to throw everyone off their scent, the Los Angeles Lakers dropped their first game of the week against the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry went nuclear and the Lakers were essentially going through the motions. No one freaked out because this is not like the Lakers of last season. We know what the ceiling is here.

Another preview of greatness came against the Milwaukee Bucks. In what was lauded as a possible NBA Finals preview, the Lakers asserted their will against the Bucks and made Mike Budenholzer have to answer some tough questions about not trusting the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to take the assignment of guarding one of the greatest of all time.

Until someone can do something to truly stagger the defending champions, their reign of dominance seems destined to continue on the way to another title. Even when they are playing at less than 100 percent, they are clearly the best team taking the court on a nightly basis and are just waiting to prove it again on the biggest stage.

If you are not a LeBron James fan, maybe it is time for you to take the rest of the season off. He is still the best player in the league. On nights like Saturday against the Chicago Bulls, Anthony Davis does not appear to be too far behind.

Next. Best Hall of Famer from each franchise. dark