NBA Power Rankings week 8 – OKC Thunder cling to middle, trade market opens up
6-21. Previous: 25th. New Orleans Pelicans. 26. team. 69.
Offense: (107.7) 19th
Defense: (114.9) 29th
Net: (minus -7.3 ) 26th
Games Week 8: (0-4) Lost to Pistons, Bucks, 76ers, Magic
Games Week 9 (3 games): Tues vs. Nets | Weds. at Wolves | Fri. at Warriors
It’s one thing to lose to the Bucks and 76ers and the Pistons loss could easily have been a win (105-103) but allowing a team who has struggled to score 100 points to absolutely feast offensively is a problem.
The Magic delivered 17 long balls (the most this season) and dropped 130 points on the Pelicans on their court no less. Granted the Magic got Nikola Vucevic back, however, aside from Aaron Gordon who scored nine points EVERY other Magic player who touched the court reached double-figure scoring. In other words, the Pelicans were unable to stop anyone.
Alvin Gentry was so frustrated he ended up getting ejected from the match and didn’t seem amused when he was asked postgame if he was worried about his job.
Now that the calendar has turned the page past December 15th the big question will be whether David Griffin is open to trading a few of his veteran talents who’ll no doubt garner interest. Two, in particular, could dramatically change a team’s potential. Jrue Holiday can run the point or play off the ball and is an All-NBA Defensive guy. And, any team wanting more perimeter help has to be drooling over the prospect of adding JJ Redick (besides he needs to keep his consecutive playoff streak alive).