NBA Power Rankings Week 7: The revenge of the Los Angeles Lakers

Last Week: Lost to Memphis Grizzlies 133-102, Beat Minnesota Timberwolves 111-108, Beat Houston Rockets 111-106

This Week: 2/8 vs. Golden State Warriors, 2/9 vs. Golden State Warriors, 2/12 at Atlanta Hawks

Outside of a demoralizing beat down by the Memphis Grizzlies, the San Antonio Spurs have to come away from this week feeling good. They came back from a huge deficit against the Minnesota Timberwolves to win, led by potential All-Star DeMar DeRozan. Then they finished the slate with a win over the red-hot cross-state rival Houston Rockets.

Against the Timberwolves, DeRozan had 30 points on 19 shots to go along with eight rebounds and six assists. Nominally playing as the power forward for the team, DeRozan has embraced his role as the veteran leader on the team and the Spurs have stayed in playoff contention because of it.

DeRozan did one better against the Rockets, going for 30 points again, this time on 16 shots and adding in eight rebounds and seven assists. The rest of the Spurs’ attack is well-rounded, with seven other players scoring nine or more points. The only player who got minutes who did not was Jakob Poeltl and he grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Spurs are without LaMarcus Aldridge though that ultimately does not matter all that much. They have countless young wings to throw at their opponents, creating a beautiful brand of basketball that is not getting nearly enough attention.