OKC Thunder: TI editor power rankings week 17 – At last, the break

Although Dell Demps was relieved of his duties the haul he got for Nikola Mirotic shouldn’t go unnoticed. Four draft picks even from the second round could prove beneficial and if Alvin Gentry can get Stanley Johnson to rediscover something similar to his rookie season production the Pelicans landed a gem.

Moving past Thursday, February 7, the elephant in the room was whether to play Davis or send him home. Davis, of course, wants to play because failing to make an All-NBA team would cost him dearly in bonuses. But, if your New Orleans you don’t owe him that and the bigger picture for the franchise is risking him getting injured.

In the end, the NBA stepped in and forced New Orleans hand to play Davis or face fines. My question (and we’ll pray this doesn’t happen)  is what happens if Davis suffers an injury?

Offensive Rating: 6th (112.7)
Defensive Rating: 25th (111.5 )
Net Differential: 13th ( +1.2 )

Points per game: 115.8 (4th)
Offensive field goal efficiency: 47.8  percent (5th)
3-Point percent: 34.6 percent (tied 22nd)

Opponents points per game: 114.6 (27th)
Opponent field goal efficiency: 46.3 percent (tied 17th)
Opponent 3-point percent:36.7% (27th)

Record: 13th in WC
Home: 16-10 |Road: 9-22 | Back to back sets: 10
Versus the East: 10-11 | Versus the West: 15-21

Week 17, 2-2  Won @Bulls, Wolves, Lost to Pacers, @Grizzlies
On tap for week 18:  Magic, Thunder