NBA.com – John Schuhmann:
As previously noted, my Monday mornings are spent awaiting the release of John Schuhmann’s power rankings so I can get my stats fix (I own that I’m a stats nerd). This past week he didn’t disappoint with some great ditties on the OKC Thunder including specific insight on Paul George and Steven Adams. Schuhmann moves the OKC up from 9th to 5th in week five.
"The Thunder have both the league’s best record and its best point differential per 100 possessions (plus-10.9) in November, even though Russell Westbrook has missed six of their nine games this month. They’ve allowed less than 97 points points per 100 possessions with Paul George and Steven Adams on the floor together in November, and both guys have increased their production on the other end of the floor. George has scored at least 30 points in three straight games for the first time since joining the Thunder and Adams has averaged at least 20 points over a five-game stretch for the first time in his career."
For the rest of Schuhmann’s OKC Thunder insight and remainder of his week five rankings click this link.
ESPN – Panel
Sound the alarm bells because the ESPN panel isn’t wont to give the OKC Thunder high positional ranking hardly ever. This week, however, they move the squad up a full six spots from 10th to 4th. Will it last? Given the panel’s penchant for adoring the Rockets and Lakers, I won’t be surprised if OKC finds themselves dropped back this coming week while both the Rockets and Lakers head upward.
Hey, it is what it is – let’s basque in the momentary glory. For the remainder of the ESPN Panel week 5 rankings click this link.
ESPN’s panel:
ESPN: Kevin Arnovitz | Tim MacMahon |Andre’ Snellings
The Undefeated: Marc J. Spears | FiveThirtyEight: Chris Herring
"The Thunder are the hottest team in the NBA, having won 10 of their past 11 games despite Russell Westbrook having missed the past six contests. Westbrook’s injured ankle seems to be healed, but he missed Saturday night’s game to join his wife, Nina, for the birth of their daughters. In Westbrook’s absence, Paul George has led the way with averages of 27.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 5.0 APG and 2.6 SPG in his past five games. — Snellings"
Bleacher Report:
Grant Hughes offers a lengthy missive on the OKC Thunder defense and how the squad is better defensively without Russell Westbrook, but they are in need of Westbrook’s offense. Still, Hughes is one of the pundits who has long noticed the overall quality of OKC and isn’t exactly surprised by their success. Hughes moves the Thunder from 8th to 5th.
A small excerpt of his comments is below. For the full Hughes commentary on the Thunder and the remainder of his rankings click this link.
"Steven Adams has been terrific, hitting the Mavs for 20 points and 13 boards, then following that with 18 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks against the Suns. On Wednesday, he put up 19 points, six rebounds and five assists on 9-of-13 shooting. It just doesn’t stop with this guy. Adams’ rebound, assist and steal percentages are all at career-best levels, and this makes it five straight seasons in which Adams has increased his scoring average and player efficiency rating."
Sports Illustrated – The Crossover
Not sure how writer Khadrice Rollins kept the OKC Thunder out of the top five, but indeed he did holding them steady at 6th from the previous week. Link to the rest of his ratings is here.
"Is this: A. The Ewing Effect; B. Paul George taking on a bigger role and showing out because of it; C. Favorable scheduling; or D. Some mix of all the above? The Thunder were one of the last teams in the league to win a game, and since losing Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City has gone 5-1, including two wins over the Suns and a victory against the Knicks this past week. If the defense remains just as intense and turnover happy when Westbrook gets back, this team could be real contenders out West with the assumed addition of Andre Roberson at some point this season. For now, at least keep beating the teams most expect you to beat with or without the former MVP."
CBS Sports:
Another writer who didn’t recognize the OKC Thunder as a top five squad in week five is CBS Sports scribe Reid Forgrave. Granted, he did move OKC up five positions from 12th to 7th. For the full list of his rankings click here.
"The Thunder are surging, in the midst of a 9-1 run after a 0-4 start. That’s been spurred by their elite defense, which, despite being without Andre Roberson, ranks second in the NBA in defensive rating. Especially considering Russell Westbrook’s health, and especially considering this team’s start, it’s hard for a Thunder fan to be feeling anything other than optimistic these days. But the Thunder’s reserve guards are a problem. Hamidou Diallo is an incredible athlete who has yet to become a basketball player. And Terrance Ferguson, who was drafted for his shooting, has shot the ball terribly. He’s only hitting threes at a 25.6 percent clip, and his true shooting percentage is the lowest on the team."
FanSided – The Step Back:
Ian Levy notes the emergence of let’s call it ‘Regular Season P’ as the Paul George many of us (looking at self) expected to see last season. He also cites the great play of rookie Hamidou Diallo which obviously was prior to his injury this past week.
Levy vaults the OKC Thunder from their previous rank of 11th all the way to 4th in week five. A partial excerpt from his ranking is below. For the remainder along with the rest of his rankings click this link.
"With Russell Westbrook out of the lineup, Paul George stepped up and has carried the Thunder with a litany of career-best numbers — including points, rebounds, assists, steals and 3-pointers per game. So far, in the 344 minutes George has been on the floor without Westbrook, the Thunder have been outscoring opponents by an average of 10.1 points per 100 possessions. Obviously, the Thunder are better off with both healthy and on the floor together but George’s explosion makes their status as a contender feel a bit less fragile."
Hoops Habit:
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Editor Gerald Bourguet offers up his list and like his cohorts moves the OKC Thunder up his rankings list. In fact, Bourguet not only places the OKC Thunder second on his list (up from 7th) he opines Paul George may well be a name which should be in consideration for MVP. Hmm – food for thought Mr. Bourguet, food for thought. For Hoops Habit full week five rankings click this link.
"It’s probably too soon to make any definitive statements about the rest of the season, but through the first month, Paul George is undoubtedly one of the league’s top MVP candidates. Even without Russell Westbrook, he’s elevated his game to make sure the Oklahoma City Thunder keep chugging following the 0-4 start. Despite Russ missing OKC’s last six games, the Thunder have still won 10 of their last 11 and PG is on a three-game streak of scoring at least 32 points. The schedule has been pretty favorable over the last few weeks, but wins over the Pelicans, Rockets and streaking Mavs from last week shouldn’t be overlooked either."
That wraps up the week five power rankings from the National pundits and yours truly. With week six experiencing numerous upsets from the lowest on the totem pole over the top group expect more shifts next week.
With losses to Kings and Nuggets this week the OKC Thunder may slide in next week’s rankings. But a definitive win versus the Warriors and gutsy clutch time win over the Hornets should keep them afloat. Considering OKC played five games in eight days (7 nights) should also play a factor- we’ll just have to wait and see how much weight that carries with the pundits.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.