NBA Power Rankings week 11: OKC Thunder continues hot streak

Milwaukee Bucks:

Offense: (113.9) 3rd
Defense: (101.5) 1st
Net: (Plus +12.4) 1st

Games Week 11 (3-0): Won at Bulls: 123-102,  Weds vs Wolves: 106-104, Spurs: 127-118
Games Week 12 (4 games): Mon at Spurs | Weds at Warriors | Fri at Kings | Sat at Blazers

In the East, reigning Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Bucks are once again the top ranked team and he’s making a solid argument to repeat as MVP with better overall production than last year.  If you’ve followed the Greek Freak’s career it’s notable every analyst whose opinion matters has always stated ‘if he ever gets a 3-point shot he’ll be unstoppable”. Well – stop the presses because GA is shooting 32.7 percent taking more attempts (5.1) than ever.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• 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

More importantly, he’s improving as the season progresses. Through the first 20 games, Antetokounmpo shot 4.9 attempts and connected at what was previously a typical rate for him of 28.6 percent.

But in the month of December (12 games played) GA attempted 5.3 perimeter shots and is hitting them with a stunning efficiency rate of 39.1 percent.

Sure, the improvement is the focus but perhaps the more important factor is Giannis’ lack of fear. He knows it’s one thing to get up practice shots but hitting them in real game situations is far more important. Unlike some of the stars in the NBA Giannis isn’t afraid to toss up an air ball because he knows he’ll learn from it. Just like how he’s willing to challenge another player to block their shot

That wraps up week 11 of the NBA Power Rankings. Week 12 serves up more shuffling of ladder positions and injuries becoming to factor. Be sure to check back next week for the revised ranking.