NBA Power Rankings week 15: OKC Thunder and teams hit trade deadline

OKC Thunder, Power Ranking W15: Luguentz Dort #5 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder, Power Ranking W15: Luguentz Dort #5 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
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OKC Thunder Power Ranking:
OKC Thunder Power Ranking: Bradley Beal (3) as Raptors beat Wizards 140-111 (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Washington Wizards:

Offense: (111.5) 10th
Defense: (116.3)  30th
Net: (minus -5.1)  25th

Results Week 15: ( 2-1) Won vs. Hornets 121-107, Nets: 113-107, Lost vs. Bucks: 131-151
Games Week 16: (3 games) Mon vs Warriors | Fri vs Mavericks | Sun vs Grizzlies

Bradley was none too happy with being excluded from the All-Star team and while he’s putting up stats worthy of the nod is he affecting winning?

That has to play a role in the selections particularly when the coaches are the ones making these decisions. Ironically, the two players who seemed to be cited as players who took Beal and potentially Devin Booker‘s spots were Kyle Lowry and Chris Paul.

Yet, looking at the two veteran point guards let’s just say the narrator is in agreement with the coaches. Lowry is playing the third-most minutes, and when the selections were made registering 20 points (but he’s happy to let others score if they have the hot hand, just like Paul). With Lowry, it’s more about how he affects winning. He’s the king of momentum changes, again much like CP3.

Then consider the fact both the Raptors and Thunder were written off preseason yet OKC is one of the 13 teams with 30 or more wins and Toronto has EXACTLY THE SAME record as they had at 50 games last season. Without Leonard, having dealt with multiple injuries which is why Lowry played so much.