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

While the Bulls may have the most viable immediate talent threat the Hawks have a potential core quintet who can grow and mature as a unit if kept together.

Trae Young has delivered on a much higher level than I expected and now with John Collins back from injury the two can begin to develop chemistry. Kevin Huerter could develop into a 3-point sniper, Taurean Prince offers a Swiss Army knife two-way game and I’ll keep reiterating my angst over Sam Presti failure to package last summers picks to get Omari Spellman.

Scanning that group (and possibly a sixth with DeAndre’ Bembry) I can’t help but think of how this unit can grow together over the next few seasons. It’s akin to the Raptors bench mob who spent time together in season and every summer, then exploded in 2017-18.

Whether Young is a generational talent, I’m still not sure, but the initial steps to rebuild sure have a solid foundation.

Atlanta Hawks

Offensive Rating: 29th
Defensive Rating: 22nd
Net Differential: 28th

Offensive field goal efficiency: 44.2 percent (tied 26th)
Points per game: 107.9 (23rd)
Opponent field goal efficiency: 47.0 percent (23rd)
Opponent points per game: 118.2 (30th)

Home: 4-9
Road: 2-11
Back to back sets: 3

Versus the West: 2-8
Versus the East: 4-12

Week eight 1-2:  Lost to Warriors, Wizards and beat Nuggets
On tap for week 9: @Mavericks, @Celtics, @Nets