OKC Thunder: National and TI editor power rankings week 8 – hot takes in top tier

If the Clippers are the Cinderella story through the first quarter of the season then the Kings are the ‘feel good’ story.

This team plays at a blistering pace led by De’Aarron Fox who is learning how to go at more than one speed. Most young squads tense up and fold in the waning moments of crunch team. The Kings seem to capitalize on their youth in these situations as if they don’t know they are supposed to fold. I credit that to Fox who plays with a maturity beyond his years.

Let’s just say at this point of the season I think we have to start believing this team isn’t about to fold – they are in it for the long haul. Now we just need Vlade not to make a silly trade to mess things up.

Sacramento Kings:

Offensive Rating: 12th
Defensive Rating: 21st
Net Differential: 20th

Points per game: 114.5 (6th)
Offensive field goal efficiency: 47.9 percent (5th)
Opponent points per game:  116.0 (28th)
Opponent field goal efficiency: 47.1 percent (24th)

Record: 9th in WC

Home: 6-5
Road: 7-7
Back to back sets: 6

Versus the West: 7-9
Versus the East: 6-3

Week eight 2-1  wins versus @ Suns, @Cavaliers, loss to @Pacers
On tap for week 9: @ Bulls, Timberwolves, Warriors, @Mavericks