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)
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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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Last Week: Lost to Oklahoma City Thunder 114-109, Lost to Toronto Raptors 124-113, Lost to Toronto Raptors 110-96, Beat Oklahoma City Thunder 98-85

This Week: 2/21 vs. Sacramento Kings, 2/23 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 2/25 vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Even ending the week with a win is not enough to feel really good about the week that was for the Milwaukee Bucks. After they appeared to be surging, they dropped five games in a row, including twice against the Raptors and a game against Oklahoma City. Getting a win in which they only scored 98 points against the Thunder does not do much for confidence.

There has been increasing momentum online for firing Mike Budenholzer. While any sort of midseason change feels far from a likelihood, it does not come without reason. It goes without saying that having Jrue Holiday out of the lineup is detrimental to Milwaukee’s on-court success. Being 17-13 at this point in the season is fine for some teams, even most. But for the team that has had the best record for multiple seasons, running being just another team for any amount of time is glaring.

Negativity aside, Milwaukee joined the Jazz as the only teams in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating, which is no small feat given the seemingly inconsistent play. The issue is not that the team is not good. For a team that is waiting to prove themselves in the playoffs, the issue becomes projecting on if they are even good enough.