NBA Power Rankings Week 8: The Phoenix Suns are rising

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 31: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz drives into Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 31, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 31: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz drives into Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 31, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Last Week: Beat Golden State Warriors 105-100, Lost to Golden State Warriors 114-91, Beat Atlanta Hawks 125-114

This Week: 2/14 at Charlotte Hornets; 2/16 at Detroit Pistons, 2/17 at Cleveland Cavaliers, 2/20 at New York Knicks

Another week, another six players for the San Antonio Spurs averaging double figures in scoring. Something about the Spurs organization will not let the team take a step back. They seem destined to finish somewhere in the middle of the pack but will get their young guys plenty of reps in real games with consequences.

Dejounte Murray deserves to be spotlighted this week. He was second on the team in scoring at 17.0 points and added 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.0 steals per game. He shot 50.0 percent from the field, 50.0 from 3-point range and 83.3 percent from the line. While taking his turn as the most impressive young Spur may feel run of the mill for Murray, this time feels different.

Of San Antonio’s young guys, Murray has been there the longest and dealt with lost seasons. The fact that he is putting it all together on a team still competing for a playoff spot has to feel good. The Spurs are a shining example of what is good about the play-in scenario. They transitioned from decades of title contention into a rebuild that still involves two former All-Stars. They do not have to fully tear it down because they are already set up for the future based on the culture they have established.