In week 17 of the power rankings, the OKC Thunder continue to hold steady atop pundits and TI’s lists as they prepare for the break. Here’s how the teams line up.
Power rankings for week 17 find the OKC Thunder and all their opponents thirsting to reach the All-Star break. This week is by far the most difficult mentally for clubs as the dog days of winter have taken a toll.
Typically this period offers plenty of upsets and trap games as players can’t help but find their minds drifting to vacation time.
For the top squads, the emphasis is on winning, but more accurately on getting their rosters to the break healthy.
Although this week is cited as the halfway mark in truth it takes the Association through two-thirds of the season. As squads disperse the thinking will be on finding rest and relaxation for the mind and body. That is for all but those who head to Charlotte, North Carolina to participate in the All-Star weekend.
For the OKC Thunder that includes three members of the roster. Paul George will start in the main event with teammate Russell Westbrook joining him on Team Giannis. The third OKC Thunder member participating is Hamidou Diallo.
Not much movement occurs in the power rankings in week 17 and the teams who do shift primarily come in the middle ground based on performance and trades made at the deadline.
Week 17 served up games versus the Magic, Grizzlies, and a road trip to Houston to face the Rockets. With the sweep of these games and heading into week 18, the OKC Thunder appears poised to challenge for the second seed in the West.
And so we entered the final week heading into the break and assign the rankings for each squad.
Let’s do it!