Not sure how you get that out of what I said.
And, yes, to each his own. I do believe being in the top x% of the country is just as good a measure as being ranked. Its not as possible in a league of 300+ basketball teams where one player can make all the difference in a season. Even typically terrible teams can have good years. Many teams can.
Further, If you don't start the season ranked in the top 25, it is more difficult to get in. Losing games does not vault a team out of the rankings like it does in football. You have to work hard to get out. Rose was obviously not going to start this season ranked.