NBA Week 10 Power Rankings: All-Star Snub Edition

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 24: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 24, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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84. . 13-20. Previous: 24th. Sacramento Kings. 26. team

Last Week: Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 128-115, Lost to Brooklyn Nets 127-118, Lost to New York Knicks 140-121, Beat Detroit Pistons 110-107

This Week: 2/28 vs. Charlotte Hornets, 3/3 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 3/4 at Portland Trail Blazers

Sure, the Sacramento Kings ended the week with a win. But earning a win against the worst team in the Eastern Conference after losing nine games in a row is something of a hollow victory. The only thing the win may have done was save Luke Walton’s job for the time being.

The fact that the Kings had a winning record just 10 games ago feels like a distant dream. The Kings are one of the historically worst defenses of all time and even some of the bright spots from earlier in the season have begun to wane. Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes have been more inconsistent over the last 10 games. De’Aaron Fox has been great but not the potential All-Star he looked like previously.

Unfortunately, it is starting to feel like another lost season for a franchise that has become all too familiar with that sort of thing. There are rumors about moving on from Hassan Whiteside and Nemanja Bjelica. While that does not hurt the future of the franchise, it is a sign of waving the white flag once again. The impact of Tyrese Haliburton has been noticeable, but when the rest of the roster is devoid of seemingly any fight on the defensive end, it simply does not matter.