NBA Power Rankings week 8 – OKC Thunder cling to middle, trade market opens up
Previous: 30th. New York Knicks. 27. team. 27. . 6-21
Offense: (102.6) 30th
Defense: (112.6) 25th
Net: (minus -9.9) 29th
Games Week 8: (2-2) Won vs. Warriors, Kings Lost to Blazers, Nuggets
Games Week 9 (3 games): Tues vs. Hawks | Fri at. Heat | Sat vs. Bucks
The team from the Mecca had a good week winning half their games and took down the Kings in a game that most presumed Sacramento would win given they entered having beaten the Rockets, Mavericks, and Thunder.
Before everyone jumps on the David Fizdale bashing wagon citing Mike Miller as the reason for the shift it’s important to note much of the Knicks’ success is tied to the return of Elfrid Payton and having a point guard who’ll get the shooters the ball.
Dennis Smith Jr. has proven he’s much more concerned with getting ‘his’ over involving his teammates and Payton makes the call an easy one when it comes to deciding who to put on the hardwood. No doubt, that’s a deal the Knicks wish they never made (DSJ) and his lack of playing time as he’s become relegated to the third-string PG is telling.
Also a little concerning is the fall off of RJ Barrett who had a solid outing versus the Warriors (22 points, 10 rebounds) but his five, eight and seven points versus the Blazers, Kings, and Nuggets respectively point to his inconsistency. And this regression isn’t for a lack of field goal attempts as those same three games he shot 11.1 percent, 28.6 percent, and 25 percent from the field. The good news is this is a kid who’ll work hard and won’t fall into a confidence issue.