Blazers Hold Steady In Week 6 NBA Power Rankings

The Portland Trail Blazers moved a little bit up or a little bit down in the various NBA Power Rankings thanks to an 1-2 Week 5 (through Monday, when most power rankings go live). Last week, the Blazers ranked in the 22-24 range.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com ranks the Blazers No. 25 (down from 23).

Fun argument this week with a rival team official who loves Damian Lillard. He thinks Kyrie Irving, just by virtue of playing for LeBron's old team, gets way more spotlight. I'd argue that, even with Portland 4-12 in non-OT games, all folks like me have been doing is writing and talking about Lillard.

John Schuhmann of NBA.com ranks the Blazers No. 24 (down from No. 22).

On Monday in Charlotte, the Blazers pulled off one of the most incredible seven-minute comebacks you'll ever see. On Saturday against Sacramento, they were out to prove the theory that the first home game after a long road trip is like another road game. Nine first-quarter turnovers led to a 19-point beatdown, the Kings' first road win of the season. It began a six-game homestand for Portland.

Matt Dollinger of SI.com ranks the Blazers No. 22 (up from 23). Note: this one was posted last Friday.

The vultures are out for LaMarcus Aldridge, who recently responded to criticism about his shot selection. Aldridge said skeptics will always find something to "nitpick," but it's not nitpicking to notice the big man is averaging a carer high in attempts (18.3) and a career low in field-goal percentage (45.5). Aldridge is still putting up solid numbers at 20.7 points and eight rebounds per game, but with little depth surrounding him, he needs to be even better for the Trail Blazers to sniff respectability.

Kurt Helin of ProBasketballTalk ranks the Blazers No. 21 (up from No. 22).

If you're a Trail Blazers fan and you watch the play of Raymond Felton in New York or Jamal Crawford in Los Angeles this season, you just have to be pissed.

Seth Rosenthal of SB Nation ranks the Blazers No. 23 (down from No. 22).

Portland just looks tired and beat up, and they're not the kind of team that can call in reinforcements when the top guns need to sit. They are not that in the slightest.

John Hollinger of ESPN.com ranks the Blazers No. 25 (down from No. 24).

According to Hollinger's team states, the Blazers ranked...

• No. 15 (down from No. 13) in offensive efficiency
• No. 25 (up from No. 26) in defensive efficiency
• No. 22 (up from No. 24) in rebound rate
• No. 21 (up from No. 22) in pace

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter