Power Rankings, Week of 11/16

[Spike]

​

So DMC is back, turns into DFC, and we win a few games. Woo! No more illnesses/injuries allowed. On to the rankings!

NBA.com
#23 (+3)
What a difference five days can make. On Tuesday, the Kings looked like a complete mess, with a six-game losing streak, a star cursing out his coach, and a coach trying to suspend his star. Now they're on a three-game winning streak, with that star - DeMarcus Cousins - averaging 36.3 pointsand shooting 9-for-15 from 3-point range. We'll see if they can keep it together on the road, where they play nine of their next 11.

Sports Illustrated
#25 (+1)
It’s anyone’s guess what turned things around in that locker room, but the Kings (and a motivated DeMarcus Cousins) responded to internal discord and a storm of rumors with three huge wins. The circus next hits the road for a five-game swing on the East Coast.

CBSSports
#24 (NC)
Got hurt, blew up, total disaster, rally, win a few games. Right back where they started. This team is confusing and seems like it's going to shake apart at any minute the Kings refuse to let go of the center. Can they really weather all these storms?

NBCSports
#24 (+2)
They have won three in a row and started to hit their stride, not coincidentally DeMarcus Cousins came back for those games and is beasting. The Kings had 9 of their first 11 games at home, now they head out on a five-game road trip.

ESPN
#24 (+3)
You wouldn't dare suggest that three home wins fixed everything in Sacramento, but there's no denying DeMarcus Cousins had himself a week, powering through Brook Lopez, Andre Drummond and Jonas Valanciunas with some Player of the Week-ish numbers that also shoved Rajon Rondo's two triple-doubles under the radar.

Mean Ranking: 24

 

[c-webb1s#1]

3-0

no doubt about it!

 

[Sac.Kings]

I am thinking 1-2. We are still a new team and we are going on the road for the first time (for an extended road trip anyways), so in other words we have a lot to prove. 2-1 would be awesome though and I would love to make a statement against the Hawks. The Hawks are still a very good team, and the two teams in Florida aren't pushovers either. I think we beat the Heat, but lose to the Magic and the Hawks. No particular reason, just my guess.

 

[gunks]

We should be able to beat the Magic.

I give us a 43% chance against Atlanta and a 67% chance against the Heat.

Cuz has some premier bigs to bully. Vucevic (sp?) Is a beast, but not known as a defender. Hassan.....ah, the one that got away.... Cuz splattered him like a bug on a windshield the last time they met. Hopefully that happens again. I'm kinda worried about Horford.... he gives Cuz trouble on D. At least he did last time IIRC.

Then again Cuz is hitting 3s now, so who knows. Those days where there were still 2 or 3 guys in the league capable of guarding him may be over!

 

[rainmaker]

ATL is playing BK in BK tomorrow, and we'll have two days rest.

Doesn't set up much easier than that.

 

[Sac.1989]

Just Win baby! 3-0

We can absolutely take down the Hawks and Heat. Orlando has given us issues in the past and are built well.

We need to absolutely prioritise perimeter defence.

 

[Bricklayer]

ATL is playing BK in BK tomorrow, and we'll have two days rest.

Doesn't set up much easier than that.

well, except...Brooklyn

maybe the nightlife will get 'em

 

[John Galt]

I voted 1-2 just because I want to manage expectations on myself.

I am honestly flummoxed by this team. I do not know whether we are lucky to be 4-7, or unlucky to be ONLY 4-7.

A couple different bounces of the ball or ref calls, or Rondo doesn't play out of his mind... and we choke vs the Nets and lose a close one to Toronto, we're 2-9 and Karl is handing over the reins to Iske, the Jacobs brothers are executing a coup against Vivek, and this board is a ghost town.

On the other hand, take away DMC's injury and maybe we're 7-4 and shoving crow down "the national media's" throats with big shovels and selling out the season.

If we're really .500 bound, we ought to go 2-1. If we're really playoff bound, we ought to go 3-0.

Lets see.

 

[Larry89]

Literally no one can guard Demarcus Cousins, it looks like he has finally turned on that switch. I say 3-0 and he averages 35ppg in those games.

 

[King Baller]

well, except...Brooklyn

maybe the nightlife will get 'em

You figure Thabo is ready for some more NYC nightlife?

 

[randymoss1881]

I saw 2-1 wins vs atlanta and orlando. Atlanta will be on a back 2 back while we have 2 days off and they have no answer for DMC

 

[Bosnian Diehard]

Close loss to Atlanta. Close wins over Miami/Orlando.

 

[Bricklayer]

Literally no one can guard Demarcus Cousins, it looks like he has finally turned on that switch. I say 3-0 and he averages 35ppg in those games.

Love the enthusiasm, but must admit that with the new tactics precisely two guys I am a little concerned about being able to deal with it are Horford and Bosh, both who require smashing down in the post more than finessing on the perimeter. Should kill Vucevic though.