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

In week 8 power ratings pundits place the OKC Thunder in the NBA’s top tier. Discover where each site ranked them and my personal ratings for all 30 teams.

The OKC Thunder are beginning to enter the national conversation (with the Nuggets) as the Warriors top challengers. Depending on how they deal with higher ranked teams that narrative will heat up.

The squad remains the best defense in week eight which is one reason why I placed them so high in my personal ratings.

With that here’s my personal power rating for week eight followed by where the national scribes ranked the OKC Thunder.

Despite occasional glimpses of the future the Suns youth are beginning to crack a little under the constant losing. It doesn’t help Devin Booker can’t seem to stay on the court (out again with a hamstring injury). Joining him for five games was arguably the brightest light and biggest surprise of the roster – – T.J. Warren .

All the losing is causing friction and seems to be seeping into the relationships with head coach Igor Kokoskov and his rookies. Deandre Ayton was called out for his effort and relegated to the bench. Mikal Bridges tried to avoid a conversation with Kokoskov which could find him paying by sitting too.

Key Stats:

Offensive Rating: 28th
Defensive Rating: 28th
Net Differential: 30th

Points per game: 102.2 (30th)
Offensive field goal efficiency: 45.3 percent (tied 20th)
Opponent field goal efficiency: 48.4 percent (29th)
Opponent points per game: 113.8 (25th)

Home: 3-10
Road: 1-12

Back to back sets played: 2

Versus the West: 3-13
Versus the East: 1-9

Week eight: 0-3: Losses to Kings, Heat @ Blazers
On tap for week 9: vs. Clippers, @Spurs (B2B), Mavericks, Wolves