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NBA Power Rankings week 7 – OKC Thunder ascend the ladder

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder Power Rankings week 7: Steven Adams #12 and Chris Paul #3 of the OKC Thunder talk during the game vs. Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder Power Rankings week 7: Steven Adams #12 and Chris Paul #3 of the OKC Thunder talk during the game vs. Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Power Ranking week 1
OKC Thunder Power Ranking week 1: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies plays defense against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Previous: 25th. Memphis Grizzlies. 26. team. 211. . 6-16

Offense: (104.7) -25th
Defense: (112.1)   22nd
Net: (minus -7.4)  25th

Games Week 7: (0-3) Lost to Pacers, Bulls, Jazz
Games Week 8 (3 games): Mon at Warriors | Weds at Suns | Fri. vs Bucks | Sat. vs. Wizards

Without their rookie Ja Morant the Grizzlies simply don’t have the same panache as they went winless in week seven.

That said, while other lottery clubs are getting beat down, frequently losing matches by 20 or 30 points (and occasionally 40 or 50 points) this Grizzly crew still tries to compete.

Credit the coach and the young squad for buying into the system. It might not be paying dividends at that moment and yet this club has posted some exciting victories this season.

Morant will be back soon (as of posting – he returned Monday night) and this crew will wage on. The foundation is in place with Morant, Jaren Jackson and Dillon Brooks and a few young guys who could form substantial reserve depth should they chose to keep Valanciunas for example.

No, they won’t be a playoff squad or among those mired in the group just under the playoff ladder. Consider the teams who aren’t using this period of franchise growth to develop their defensive systems for the future. It stands to reason if the Grizzlies add one more quality piece and lure one or two decent reserve players (perhaps veterans with some leadership savvy) they’ll be the team in a similar situation to what the Kings were last season.

Getting young guys to buy into culture and identity is a tall task and the Grizzlies are excelling in that area!

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