NBA Power Rankings week 16: OKC Thunder and teams post deadline

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OKC Thunder, Power rankings week 13 : James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

9. team. 169. . 33-20. Previous: 9th. Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets:

Offense:(113.3) Tied 3rd
Defense: (110.0) 15th
Net: (plus +3.3) 9th

Results Week 16: (2-2) Won vs. Hornets: 125-110, Lakers: 121-111, Lost vs. Suns: 91-127, Jazz: 113-114
Games Week 17: (1 game) Tues vs. Celtics

Analytics, small ball, and positionless basketball just took on an entirely new meaning. Rockets General Manager conscious decision to shed the club of most of their height and players over 6’7″ and place the 6’5″ PJ Tucker at center seems laughable.

Sure, the Rockets will be able to push pace, spread the court and force bigs to defend them. But that also means they’ll get eaten alive on the glass.

Any club with prowess at transition or perimeter defense theoretically should be able to not just win but feast.

In terms of who this benefits, clearly Russell Westbrook will have more open driving lanes and the fact the team will increase pace plays right into the best version of the former OKC Thunder star.

But, come playoffs — how successful will this system work?

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