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

By Corey Rausch

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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

64. . 8-21. Previous: 26th. Detroit Pistons. 28. team

Last Week: Beat New Orleans Pelicans 123-112, 2/16 vs. San Antonio Spurs (POSTPONED), 2/17 at Dallas Mavericks (POSTPONED), Lost to Chicago Bulls 105-102, Lost to Memphis Grizzlies 109-95

This Week: 2/21 at Orlando Magic, 2/23 at Orlando Magic, 2/24 at New Orleans Pelicans, 2/26 vs. Sacramento Kings

The highlight of the season comes for the Detroit Pistons as rookie Saddiq Bey was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week. The rookie exploded last week and continued his solid play into this week. With the era of Blake Griffin progressing to the end, Bey looks to have entered the starting lineup for the foreseeable future.

Speaking of Griffin, plenty of jokes will come at his expense given his level of play this season but these are truly unfair. Blake Griffin sacrificed his leg for a playoff run in 2019. Him wanting to go somewhere else to attempt to play for a winning team is deserved. He gave it his all for Detroit and should always be respected.

In terms of the on-court product, losses and Jerami Grant scoring binges remain the topic of discussion. He dropped 43 on the Chicago Bulls in a duel against Zach LaVine that was a joy to watch. Sure, the Pistons blew a 25-point lead in that game but that is to be expected along the path of the tank. Watching Josh Jackson and Dennis Smith Jr. get increasingly more comfortable is also part of the fun. This retooling is truly continuing to take form.