ESPN: NBA POWER RANKINGS

The Lakers are lucky to hold on to the No. 2 spot after that D-League level showing these past five games.

WEEKLY POWER RANKINGS

My NBA Award Picks:

MVP: Derrick Rose (a strong case for SATs not being a very good measure for success)

Most Improved: LaMarcus Aldridge (in sharp contrat to the Least Improved Player: Brandon Roy's knees)

Sixth-Man: Lamar Odom (heres to 9 months of candy sobriety)

Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau (I just relish an ex-Celtic coach killing his old team with that umbutu style of defense)

Rookie of the Year: John Wall (no awards for injured red-headed red-shirts)

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard (if he would stop swatting blocked shots into the 200 Sections, he might even be better)