There is one funny aspect about this period of underachievement the Milwaukee Bucks have been muddling through over the past five weeks or so.

Even though George Karl's crew has lost far more than it has won over that span, the Bucks stature among their peers has not diminished over the long run.

Last week, for example, the Charlotte Hornets visited the Bradley Center and handed Milwaukee its sixth loss in eight games and third straight home defeat. Afterward, however, the Hornets proceeded to proclaim the Bucks as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

"They are the elite club in the East, in my opinion, because they have the most talent," said Hornets coach Paul Silas. "They'll get it together and will be hard to beat."

Said forward Jamal Mashburn: "They're the best team in the East. They proved that in the playoffs last year."

Karl, for his part, appreciates the sentiment but adds that his team must live up to the hype. "I like that," said Karl. "But we've got to prove that. We've got to play that way and we will."