Where national NBA pundits rank OKC Thunder in week 8
Discover where the top sites and experts rank the OKC Thunder in week eight of the NBA Power Rankings.
With week nine of the 2019-20 NBA season underway the National pundits and bloggers served up their team by team placement for all 30 teams. The OKC Thunder continue to ride the middle ground in most listings.
A common talking point this week is the trade market given December 15th arrived meaning over 100 players became trade eligible.
Here’s how the top-ranked National sites and blogs rank the OKC Thunder in week eight:
NBA.com – John Schuhmann:
Through eight weeks John Schuhmann has held steady in keeping the OKC Thunder in the middle of the pack.
This week doesn’t shift with the stat master dropping OKC one spot from 14th to 15th. With the tradeable assets on the club, Schuhmann notes they exist but that there is no need to rush in moving them which is a logical take.
In terms of his comments, he notes the struggles of Danilo Gallinari last week which TI noted as being uncharacteristic in our grades last week.
"They’re still lacking quality wins (they’re 2-9 against the 13 teams currently over .500), and their offense struggled last week, with Danilo Gallinari missing one game and shooting 6-for-26 over the other two, after showing some promise (116.4 points scored per 100 possessions) in their first four games of December. But they don’t need to be in a rush to make a deal and their longest homestand of the season – five games over 11 days, with four of the opponents currently under .500 – begins Monday."
The rest of the above excerpt and full NBA power rankings can be viewed in its entirety by clicking this link.
ESPN – Panel
ESPN’s panel:
ESPN: Tim MacMahon |Andre’ Snellings | Royce Young | Bobby Marks
The Undefeated: Marc J. Spears
Despite the losses this week the panel recognizes how the OKC Thunder are hanging tough in the West. It seems jumping on the playoff ladder brings merit from the group who moved the Thunder up three spots this week from 18th to a higher 15th placement.
Like the other sites, the trade market opening up became a talking point and will be among most media this season and well into the future given all the picks OKC has.
Click this link for the full panel rankings.
"After an impressive three-game winning streak, the Thunder climbed into the actual playoff conversation, sitting seventh in the Western Conference for a week. A one-point loss on the road to the Kings and a humbling loss to the Nuggets in Denver now leave OKC in a tie for eighth. More importantly, it’s officially trade season, and the Thunder figure to factor heavily in various rumors and rumblings leading into the Feb. 6 deadline. — Young"
Bleacher Report:
Grant Hughes brings up an interesting stat in his ranking this week noting the three guard lineup of Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schroder‘s positive net differential.
Hughes moved the Thunder up last week three spots and pushed them up one more rung this week to 14th.
The following is a section of his excerpt on the Thunder and his full comments and rankings can be found via this link.
"Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are posting a ridiculous plus-25.6 net rating when they play together, and the Thunder’s defense has crept up to 13th in the league.The Thunder may be a cobbled-together collection of young lottery tickets and trade fodder, but they’re making it work. OKC is 5-3 in its last eight games."
Sports Illustrated – The Crossover
Michael Shapiro like his counterparts notes the trade market opening up and suggests there could be a fire sale in Oklahoma City. Perhaps that’s why he drops the Thunder from 17th to 19th this week.
The Crossover writer’s full ranking can be viewed here.
"Oklahoma City could go full fire sale before February’s trade deadline, but it would be a surprise to see Steven Adams shipped from the only team he’s ever known. Adams has evolved into an organizational pillar, and he’s young enough (somehow just 26) to remain a key cog when Oklahoma City is ready to return to a contending spot in the Western Conference. Add in $52 million owed over the next two seasons, and it’s hard to envision Adams suiting up somewhere else for the rest of 2019-20."
Hoops Habit:
More from Thunder News
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
In week eight Hoops Habit editor, Phil Watson knocked the Thunder down several notches after being one of their greatest supporters.
Watson notes CP3’s output for the second week running. For week eight he moves OKC from the low last week of 18th up a spot to 17th.
The following is the segment of his posting on the Thunder which notes Paul’s prowess. For the rest of his comments and ranking list click this link.
"Chris Paul, Oklahoma City’s 34-year-old point guard, keeps showing he’s still got some life in his legs, going for 15 points, 10 assists and four steals in Saturday’s loss at Denver. For the week, CP3 averaged 14.8 points, 7.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 32.6 minutes per game, shooting 44.9 percent overall, but struggling from long range, hitting just 4-of-17."
CBS Sports:
Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports power rankings has held the OKC Thunder near the middle tier throughout the process. Last week he jumped them up a few spots and in week eight he drops them one spot from 15th to 16th. Ward-Henniger’s full power ranking can be viewed via this link.
"OKC picked up a big road win in Utah, but then lost to the Kings and Nuggets to close out its road trip. Chris Paul trade rumors will likely resurface now that most players who signed contracts this summer can be traded, but there’s little indication that he’ll be moved. Danilo Gallinari, on the other hand, should have plenty of suitors."
That wraps up week seven of the National writers’ power rankings with the pundits ranking the team as high as 14th and as low as 19th. The Thunderous Intentions NBA power ranking for week eight seeded the Thunder 13th. That full listing can be found by clicking the link below.
Next. NBA Power Rankings week 8 –trade market opens up. dark
Make sure to check stay connected with Thunderous Intentions for daily insights on the team and your favorite players.