OKC Thunder: NBA Power Rankings -Griffin buyout shifts ladder at half way mark

OKC Thunder power rankings at halfway mark Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden and new Nets player Blake Griffin: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
OKC Thunder power rankings at halfway mark Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden and new Nets player Blake Griffin: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1): Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous: 4th. Phoenix Suns. 2. team. 66. . 24-11

Phoenix Suns:

Week 11: 2-0
Won vs: Lakers 114-104, Warriors 120-98

Week 12 opponents: @Blazers, Pacers

Offense: (114.6) 8th
Defense: (108.2) 3rd
Net: (Plus +6.4) 3rd

If every player in their prime isn’t looking at switching to a plant-based diet they aren’t paying attention to what Chris Paul is doing. Albeit, there’s much more to the equation than the Point God’s diet but it’s allowing him to stay healthy and even dunk in All-Star Games!

Through the initial 35 Suns games he’s missed just one match and is averaging 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.2 steals and is shooting 39.1 percent from deep on 3.9 attempts per game.

While the Jazz sit atop the Western Conference the Suns get the hat tip and second overall position on my ladder because they entered the break with the most impressive recent record. Phoenix will return from the break looking to extend a four-game win streak.

More impressively they’ve won 13 of their last 15 games including matches versus the Celtics, Bucks, 76ers, Blazers, Lakers, and Warriors plus pushed the Nets to the brink in a close 124-128 defeat.

Phoenix ranks in the top 10 for all three major categories with their offense (8th) the area they compensate for to allow their defense to shine.

It sure feels a lot like what the OKC Thunder experienced with Paul last season and maybe I’m on an island but he should be in the conversation for MVP.