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

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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Previous: 6th. Milwaukee Bucks. 7. team. 89. . 11-8

Last Week: Beat Atlanta Hawks 129-115, Beat Toronto Raptors 115-108, Lost to New Orleans Pelicans 131-126, Lost to Charlotte Hornets 126-114

This Week: 2/1 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 2/3 vs. Indiana Pacers, 2/5 at Cleveland Cavaliers, 2/6 at Cleveland Cavaliers

Losing both games of a back-to-back is never a great look. Dropping those games to the New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets is a great way to leave a sour taste in your fans’ mouth. Such is the current fate of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The good news currently is that Giannis Antetokounmpo grabbing his knee late in the game against the Hornets does not currently look to be a problem. The reigning MVP was especially dominant this week, averaging 30.8 points, 15.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. Hearing himself fall out of the top five in the MVP race for many talking heads seemed to have awakened the sleeping giant and opposing defenses are at his mercy.

The issue is that no one else averaged over 20 points per game over the last week. Khris Middleton was his usual efficient self, putting up a line of 19.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game on shooting splits of .475/.423/1.00 this week. The top of the roster is not the problem unfortunately.

DJ Augustin and Bryn Forbes have been admittedly rough and are two of only three Bucks with a negative plus/minus over the last week who play real rotation minutes. Augustin is the biggest disappointment for the season so far for Milwaukee. For the Bucks to get back to previous year’s levels of dominance, they need improvement across the roster.