Damn sportswriters know nothing

[Lurker]

By Marty Burns, SI.com link to story

Tim Duncan kept saying it at All-Star Weekend to anyone who would listen: "I like where we are." By experiencing some early ups and downs, he pointed out, San Antonio only was going to be tougher in the long run.

Duncan might be onto something. The Spurs quietly have put together a good stretch, playing stifling defense and winning on the road. Led by Duncan, they even cooled off the red-hot T'wolves on Sunday.

Given that triumph, and with the other top contenders missing key pieces, the Spurs once again have ascended to the top spot in this week's Power Rankings. Can they hold it? We'll find out this week as San Antonio gets tough in-state tests from Houston and Dallas.

Thanks to Tim Duncan (right) and Tony Parker, the Spurs have a .756 winning percentage over their past 37 games.
Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images

1.Spurs
2.Wolves
3.Pacers
4.Lakers
5.Kings

ESPN: Really hot Spurs return to top spotlink to story

1.Spurs
2.Wolves
3.Kings
4.Nets
5.Pacers

[JoMal]

The Kings have been the top-ranked team in the NBA for most of the season.

At any given point during that time, it meant squat.

[Lurker]

At any given point during that time, it meant squat.

That's only because it was the Kings.  For other teams it does mean squat.  And for teams that have won rings in the past 5 years it means double-squat.

 :ph34r:  

[Reality]

Jomal,

While it certainly is not a must game in the sense of the title hinges on it, for the Kings to prove they are indeed back and indeed ready to rumble, i will accept nothing less then a thorough butt kicking of the glittering gold wearing Marketers this Thurs night.  With or without Miller!

Now if the refs go Fatquile/Kobme on us, well whadaya gonna do.
Otherwise, i want double digits.

[JoMal]

That's only because it was the Kings. For other teams it does mean squat. And for teams that have won rings in the past 5 years it means double-squat.

Squat is what squat does.

But being the best ranked team in February just means they are winning at the moment. Not that significant except for getting them into the playoffs in the first place.
 

[JoMal]

While it certainly is not a must game in the sense of the title hinges on it, for the Kings to prove they are indeed back and indeed ready to rumble, i will accept nothing less then a thorough butt kicking of the glittering gold wearing Marketers this Thurs night. With or without Miller!

Now if the refs go Fatquile/Kobme on us, well whadaya gonna do.
Otherwise, i want double digits.

The Kings are not in the butt-kicking business. They prefer teams to sniff around and get their hopes up before pulling away late. While it would be nice to knock off the Lakers this Thursday on their home court, these are not the lineups that will likely meet in the playoffs, so win or lose, it amounts to just one game in the series.  

[Guest]

While it certainly is not a must game in the sense of the title hinges on it, for the Kings to prove they are indeed back and indeed ready to rumble, i will accept nothing less then a thorough butt kicking of the glittering gold wearing Marketers this Thurs night. With or without Miller!

Now if the refs go Fatquile/Kobme on us, well whadaya gonna do.
Otherwise, i want double digits.

The Kings are not in the butt-kicking business. They prefer teams to sniff around and get their hopes up before pulling away late. While it would be nice to knock off the Lakers this Thursday on their home court, these are not the lineups that will likely meet in the playoffs, so win or lose, it amounts to just one game in the series.

Ahh but it does mean something.  If the Kings win it was a great game.  If the Lakers win it was a great marketing job.