Thunderous Intentions
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Week 5 NBA Power Ranking – OKC Thunder stay in the mix despite winless week

By Tamberlyn Richardson

NOVEMBER 9: The OKC Thunder stand during the National Anthem before the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 9, 2019 (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
NOVEMBER 9: The OKC Thunder stand during the National Anthem before the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 9, 2019 (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder team previews
OKC Thunder team previews : A behind the scenes photo of Blake Griffin #23, Andre Drummond #0, and Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons during the Detroit Pistons Media Day (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Detroit Pistons

Offense: (107.6) – 16th
Defense: (110.9) –  21st
Net: (minus -3.4) – 22nd

Record: 5-11
Games Week 5: (1-2) Won vs. Hawks, Lost to Bulls, Bucks
Games Week 6: (4 games) Mon, Nov. 25 vs. Magic | Weds, Nov. 26 at Hornets | Fri, Nov. 28 vs. Hornets | Sun, Nov. 30 vs. Spurs

As Blake Griffin returned to the lineup on November 11th, most assumed his presence would equate to the Pistons turning around their season. Six games later (four of which Griffin appeared in) and the Pistons have one victory to show for it. The fact he’s struggling from the perimeter (21.7 percent) shouldn’t be too concerning because he’s working his way back into being on the court after a long absence due to the surgery and subsequent hamstring ailment.

What is concerning, however, is the compilation of the roster that simply doesn’t fit. Even if Griffin continues to build as the season progresses it’s hard to imagine this iteration of the Pistons ever being better than a bottom-tier playoff seed who’ll get bounced in the first round or just landing somewhere between the middle and top end of the lottery seeds.

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