NBA Power Rankings week 8 – OKC Thunder cling to middle, trade market opens up

Offense: (103.1) 29th
Defense: (112.8) 26th
Net: (minus -9.7) 28th

Games Week 8: (0-4) Lost to Grizzlies, Knicks, Jazz (Kings)
Games Week 9 (2 games):  Weds. at Blazers | Fri. vs. Pelicans

As noted last week, Eric Paschall delivered 13 consecutive double-digit efforts and had an opportunity to tie Klay Thompson‘s rookie record of 14 in a row. Paschall failed to hit the mark registering back to back five-point efforts versus the Grizzlies and Knicks. This was followed by him being held out of the game versus the Jazz and the Kings with the team citing a sore left hip begging the question of a lingering injury.

While D’Angelo Russell is back having played in five games since returning from injury it’s Alec Burks who has impressed. Burks, as you may recall, was the other (Mike Muscala) player Sam Presti recruited this summer in free agency but allowed to renege on the deal once Paul George and Russell Westbrook were traded.

This season with the Warriors Burks has delivered double-figure scores in 20 of the 25 games and arguably been the most consistent performer for Steve Kerr.

With Paschall struggling this week and then out two games Burks stepped up. In the four games, Burks averaged  17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting 40 percent from deep on 3.8 shot attempts.

Now, it’s not a guarantee Burks would’ve brought that type of production to the Thunder and clearly he’s been put into the ‘next man up’ role but regardless of the circumstances Presti had earmarked a great player addition and in hindsight, I wonder if Burks wishes he had stuck with the original deal.

For two weeks in a row, the Warriors have lost to the cellar dwellers of the East (Hawks/Knicks) and own the worst record in the league.

Is anyone else starting to wonder if this is all an elaborate ruse for Golden State to land the top draft pick of 2020?