NBA Power Rankings Week 9: The slide of the Los Angeles Lakers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center on February 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

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team. 18. . 15-14. Previous: 9th. Boston Celtics. 11

Last Week: Lost to Washington Wizards 104-91, Beat Denver Nuggets 112-99, Lost to Atlanta Hawks 122-1114, Beat Atlanta Hawks 121-109

This Week: 2/21 at New Orleans Pelicans, 2/23 at Dallas Mavericks, 2/24 at Atlanta Hawks, 2/26 vs. Indiana Pacers

To give an idea of what kind of week it was, Kemba Walker was the leading scorer for the Boston Celtics and only missed one game, a loss against Atlanta, due to it being on the second night of a back-to-back. After the loss to the Washington Wizards in which Walker was quite good (25 points, seven rebounds), alarm bells were sounding across Celtics nation.

Jayson Tatum disappeared that game (only six points) and for once Walker was left without much help. The Celtics simply do not seem to fit as a unit and a trade feels like an inevitability for the championship window to remain open. The production for the roster behind the top three is just not there. On nights where any of them are off, things get disastrous quickly.

As nice as the Denver Nuggets win was, losses against the Hawks and the Wizards remain terribly frustrating. As misguided as the rage directed at Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens is, the sentiment is gaining steam. Continuing to have a poorly constructed around two young All-Stars (projecting Jaylen Brown to make his first appearance this season) will push anxious fans to the edge in that regard.