OKC Thunder: National and TI editor power rankings week 8 – hot takes in top tier
12. team. 20. . 16-10. Previous: 12th. Los Angeles Lakers
Okay – full disclosure, I’m already sick of the Lakers being one player away from contending narrative and how they are the second best squad in the NBA.
Certainly, I’ll never discount the talent which is LeBron James. The man is otherworldly – plain and simple. I’ll even ignore the fact defensively players seem to be having an easier time guarding him (see rookie Luka Doncic) than ever before. That said, like the San Antonio Spurs I won’t bet against the King having something in reserve he’s waiting to unleash in April.
In spite of those factors, I’m trying to temper my obvious negative bias to reality. I won’t lie it’s difficult especially given the obvious facts. LA won five of six heading into week nine. Those victories however, speak to the reason to temper expectations. Only the Spurs (7th) ranked among the top 15 offenses of teams they defeated. Prior to that win the last time LA beat a top ranked offense was in mid November (Portland Nov. 14 which we know struggle on the road).
They’ve fared better versus top defenses, but not when they play squads who excel on both sides of the floor. Toronto routed them (though that occurred prior to Tyson Chandler‘s addition). Yet, they also lost to Orlando twice, Denver and looking ahead into week nine Houston.
With six of their next nine games on the road it will be interesting to see where the Lakers are seeded at the end of December.
I’ll admit their defense is improved, they just need to show me it translates versus the elite teams.
LA Lakers:
Offensive Rating: 15th
Defensive Rating: 9th
Net Differential: 10th
Offensive field goal efficiency: 47.6 percent (tied 5th)
Opponent field goal efficiency: 44.6 percent (tied 7th)
Points per game: 112.7 (10th)
Opponent points per game: 111.0 (tied 15th)
Record: 5th in WC
Home: 9-4
Road: 5-5
Back to back sets: 5
Versus the west: 12-7
Versus the East: 4-3
Week eight 2-1: Beat Spurs at home, @Grizzlies and lost @Spurs
On tap for week 9: Heat, @Rockets and (B2B: @Hornets,@Wizards)