The Thunder finished a depressingly mediocre five game home stand by finishing 3-2, losing to both the Cavaliers and Rockets. More significantly though, the Thunder seem to have eased into cruise control after the All-Star break and their basketball quality is reflecting it now. Expect some slippage in their rankings this week.
From Around the League:
SOURCE | RANKING (last) | COMMENT |
SB Nation | 3 (3) | The season's feeling of inevitability may be causing the Thunder's still necessary growth to stagnate. |
ESPN - Hollinger | 4 (3) | OKC falls behind the 76ers, a team that has lesser talent but is playing more committed basketball now. |
ESPN - Stein | 3 (3) | The curse of Kate Upton. |
NBA.com - Schuhmann | 3 (2) | OKC offense has been the bigger issue this past week. |
NBA.com - Aldridge | 2 (2) | 14 game home winning streak was ended by a team with a losing record. |
Sports Illustrated | 2 (2) | Both recent home losses were the result of late game collapses; perplexing how two players who are so good at finishing at the rim seem hesitant to go there at the end of games. |
ProBasketballTalk | 3 (2) | Big tests this week, as Nuggets and Spurs are on the docket. |
HoopSpeak | 1 (1) | #1 in the West, Harper would still like to see OKC trade for Dwight Howard. |
Hoopsworld | 2 (2) | A backup veteran PG might be helpful. |
Behind the Basket | 2 (2) | March is a good test for the Thunder's focus. So far, they are not doing well on this test. |
FoxSports | 3 (3) | First home loss to an Eastern Conference team. |
Covers | 3 (3) | Thunder seem to be devoid of consistent energy. |
CBS Sports | 2 (2) | OKC Treading water until April. |
Bleacher Report | 3 (2) | OKC reportedly turned down Dwight Howard trade, still best in West. |
Black Sports Online | 3 (2) | OKC still good, but hitting some bumps. |
SheridanHoops | 3 (3) | Sheridan writes that OKC has filled more than its quota of let-down losses, and that was before the Rockets collapse. |
Rankings updated when available. If you know of any rankings that we have missed, please let us know!
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