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) /

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149. . 10-15. Previous: 24th. Oklahoma City Thunder. 24. team

Last Week: Lost/OT Los Angeles Lakers 119-112, Lost/OT to Los Angeles Lakers 114-113, Lost to Denver Nuggets 97-95

This Week: 2/14 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 2/16 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 2/17 at Memphis Grizzlies, 2/19 at Milwaukee Bucks

Even with three losses this week, the Oklahoma City Thunder have to feel good. They pushed the defending champions to overtime twice and barely lost to a Denver Nuggets team in desperate need of a win to stop the bleeding. The Thunder, like the Pistons, are the kind of tanking team that does not seem to realize they are supposed to lose games and will give it their all to win every game.

Lu Dort putting the clamps on LeBron James was good for a meme but it was also the perfect encapsulation of the mentality of the Thunder. They do not know that they are not supposed to be in every game. The Thunder keep giving it their all, irritating the best teams in the league and being a step ahead of where they should be.

Dort further exemplifies this because his statistical impact has dwindled since the beginning of the season and ultimately it does not matter that much. He, like his team, is slowly figuring things out and that is about far more than just this season. The plan is working in Oklahoma City, even if the wins are not part of the immediate future.