OKC Thunder: TI editor power rankings week 16 – deadline week

In week 16 of the power rankings, the OKC Thunder continued to impress while every team prepared for the trade deadline. Here’s how the teams line up.

Power rankings for week 16 couldn’t help but reflect on the impending trade deadline. The OKC Thunder weren’t as active as fans have come to expect from Sam Presti. Don’t assume there aren’t rabbits still in his hat. Instead, fans might want to examine just how close this team is and how well they are functioning on the court.

Still, this week was full of action and the rankings reflect certain situations as some squads (unlike the Thunder) seemed tight in games as they awaited their individual fate.

Like last week the goal of every team is to reach the All-Star break healthy without losing ground. Most teams entering week 17 had 30 or fewer games to play this season.

This week the OKC Thunder hit the road to play two Florida teams and the Celtics who’ve always been a tough out. The Boston loss wasn’t indicative of the clubs play, however, as it required an absolute beastly clutch performance from Kyrie Irving to capture the win.

It is true some fans could point to Paul George and say the same about certain games he’s had to be otherworldly. But, for as much as the Celtics boast a roster teeming with depth, outside of Irving it’s hard to pinpoint who are the secondary and tertiary scorers, playmakers (aside from Irving) and other specific designated roles.

The reason I highlight this fact is the OKC Thunder are clicking as a team with each player fully understanding their role.  Heading into the stretch run this is vital for teams who expect to make deep playoff runs. OKC has its work cut out with the hardest strength of schedule remaining, but again as a squad, they seem as close-knit and focused as we’ve witnessed perhaps since the year the Thunder played in their one and only championship series.

And so we entered trade deadline week and assign the rankings for each squad.

Let’s do it!