NBA Power Rankings 2008-2009 Week 3

Marc Stein has dropped the Kings to 26th in his weekly power rankings; this is down from 20th last week. Only the Wizards, Clippers, Thunder and Timberwolves are ranked lower than the Kings.

ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association

There's no time to dissect home losses to Detroit, Phoenix and San Antonio by a mere 12 points combined, all without Kevin Martin, when co-owner Joe Maloof is so publicly (and loudly) putting heat on his coach.

After watching the Kings over the last three weeks, I am actually fairly optimistic about this team. If Martin can stay healthly and on the floor and you give Hawes and Thompson another year or two of experience, I think that this could be a very competitive team. Hawes is only 20 years old, Thompson is 22 and Martin is 25.