2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Oklahoma City Thunder Overlooked In Week 3
Gerald Bourguet
November 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots a technical foul shot as Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 3 of NBA Power Rankings, have we been overlooking Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference?
November 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots a technical foul shot as Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
With nearly two full weeks of NBA action under our belts, the best, worst and medium teams are all starting to show where they truly lie in the league’s 2016-17 landscape.
The Cleveland Cavaliers remain undefeated, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers have shown serious signs of life and the rest of the league is divided into inconsistent tiers that have changed on a night-to-night basis.
One question that demands an answer, even after being throttled by the Dubs in the last week, is whether or not we’ve been overlooking the Oklahoma City Thunder, who currently sit atop the West with a sterling 5-1 record.
After another week of overtime thrillers, buzzer-beaters and high-flying dunks, here’s a look back on it all in an attempt to sort the league’s best from its worst with Week 3 NBA Power Rankings.
Nov 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) controls the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 102-101. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
They actually introduced him as Joel "The Process" Embiid.
Nov 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) reacts after guard Langston Galloway (10) scores during the second half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at the Smoothie King Center. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 112-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) fouls Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. The Bulls won 118-88. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dribbles the ball around Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots past Milwaukee Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) celebrates after making the game winning three point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during overtime at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (8) dunks against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Washington Wizards 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) shoots against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Kings beat the Raptors 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) controls the ball against Houston Rockets small forward Sam Dekker (7) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball in front of Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) is defended by New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) hangs onto the rim after dunking for a basket in the third quarter during the game against the Sacramento Kings at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Kings 117-91. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) and guard Nick Young (0) celebrate during a NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Suns 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) dribbles the ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Chicago 111-94. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) guards New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) drives against Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 109-101. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) drives to the basket between Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 128-122. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Utah Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward (20) dunks against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Utah won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) drives on Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Rockets 112-97. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) looks to put up a shot against Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris (12) in the first quarter at Barclays Center. Hornets win 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives the ball defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives past Sacramento Kings guard Matt Barnes (22) to the basket at Air Canada Centre. The Kings beat the Raptors 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) goes to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the second half at FedExForum. Los Angeles Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 98-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Lakers won 117-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) and Pau Gasol (16) defend during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts to a three point basket in the second half against the Houston Rockets at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 128-120. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
