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NBA Power Rankings Week 6: Are the Los Angeles Lakers on top?

By Corey Rausch

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 30: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers disputes a personal foul called against him during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 30, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lakers defeat the Celtics 96-95. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 30: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers disputes a personal foul called against him during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 30, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lakers defeat the Celtics 96-95. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

This is the kind of week that changes a lot in terms of perception in the league. The Brooklyn Nets are figuring things out and have already jumped up to the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Utah Jazz have clearly forgotten how to lose, with the most recent one coming on Jan. 6. When no one seems to be looking, the Houston Rockets are starting to take off. There is a lot going on in the league so it begs the obvious question.

Are the Los Angeles Lakers, the defending champions and only number one team this list has seen all season, still the number one team in the NBA?

Much of their week was underwhelming for the first time all season, which coincides with the meteoric rise of the Jazz. That will be determined later in the article after updating where the rest of the teams fall into place. Before that, it is important to pay homage to someone the NBA world has lost this week.

The praise for Sekou Smith abounded after the legendary sportswriter passed away earlier this week after a battle with COVID-19. The basketball world at large openly mourned the loss of a man that everyone who spoke of him echoed the same sentiment: he was good. He looked out for those around him and made everyone smile. Sekou Smith was one of the best personalities around the NBA and losing him so soon is devastating.

On a personal note, Sekou Smith is one of the inspirations for me wanting to start doing power rankings. When Smith was in charge of the power rankings on NBA.com he told the story of the season on a week by week basis, threading together interesting quips about every team. Smith made it easier for someone who did not have access to all the games (league pass was not prevalent at the time) to learn about the league at large and he always kept it entertaining. We should all strive to be more like Sekou Smith. Rest in Peace.

And now, onto the power rankings.