This week's NBA power rankings by ESPN have the Lakers rising. Kobe Bryant and the purple & gold are now ranked 5th, while the other L.A. team, the Clippers, are 7th. In the first three games after the All-Star game, Bryant has been nothing but dominant after averaging over 30 points per game in the squad's three-game winning streak. For the Clippers, well, they have been struggling after the season-ending injury to Chauncey Billups (going 7-6). The Chicago Bulls rank 1st, while the Miami Heat currently place 2nd.

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