Blazers Drop In Week 16 NBA Power Rankings

The Portland Trail Blazers dropped slightly in the latest round of NBA Power Rankings after a 0-2 week (Through Monday, when most Power Rankings go live), that included losses to the Miami Heat and New Orleans Hornets in advance of the All-Star break.

Note: Sorry for the delay on this week's round-up. The All-Star Break and trade deadline intervened. Some of last week's rankings were not updated by their respective writers. Everything should return to normal this week.

Last week, the Blazers mostly ranked in the 17-18 range. In rankings updated this week, they slipped to 19-21.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com ranks the Blazers No. 20 (down from No. 18).

The Blazers generate as much intrigue as a likely lottery team can. Not a meaningless game left on the schedule while they wrestle with the pros and cons of chasing that No. 8 seed, which would cost 'em their first-round pick (to Charlotte) if they get there. (Danny Nowell, Portland Roundball Society)

John Schuhmann of NBA.com ranks the Blazers No. 21 (down from No. 18).

No team in the league had All-Star Fever more than the Blazers, who were finishing up a six-game trip and got absolutely waxed in New Orleans on Wednesday. They've lost five straight and are just a half game ahead of the Lakers, whom they visit on Friday. They have only four back-to-backs remaining, but still play one of the tougher remaining schedules in the league.

Matt Dollinger of SI.com ranks the Blazers No. 19 (down from No. 16). Note: this one was posted last Friday (during the All-Star break).

Damian Lillard's banner rookie season has stolen the spotlight, but LaMarcus Aldridge has turned into the best scoring big man in the league (assuming we count LeBron, Durant and Carmelo as wings). Aldridge is the only post player to rank in the top 10 in scoring. He isn't the best big man in the NBA, but there aren't many interior players for whom the Blazers would trade him.

Kurt Helin of ProBasketballTalk ranks the Blazers No. 17 (down from No. 16).

These were not updated this week

Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports ranks the Blazers No. 18 (same as last week).

LaMarcus Aldridge went scoreless for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game despite the Clippers' Chris Paul earning 15 assists. Aldridge is averaging two points in two All-Star appearances.

Matt Moore of CBSSports.com ranks the Blazers No. 19 (down from No. 17 last week).

Well, don't tell them they're the Trail Blazers, then they'll play like ... too late.

David Aldridge of NBA.com did not post a "fine 15" this week.

Seth Rosenthal of SB Nation ranks the Blazers No. 18 (down from No. 15).

These were not updated this week

John Hollinger (formerly) of ESPN.com ranks the Blazers No. 24 (down from No. 23).

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

• No. 16 (down from No. 13 last week) in offensive efficiency
• No. 25 (down from No. 24 last week) in defensive efficiency
• No. 17 (down from No. 16 last week) in rebound rate
• No. 19 (same as last week) in pace

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