Hoops Habit
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NBA Power Rankings Week 17: A new number one and a lot of injuries

By Corey Rausch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

. Previous: 19th. San Antonio Spurs. 16. team. 29.

Last Week: Beat Dallas Mavericks 119-117, Beat Orlando Magic 120-97, Lost to Toronto Raptors 117-112, Lost to Portland Trail Blazers 107-106, Beat Phoenix Suns 111-85

This Week: 4/19 at Indiana Pacers, 4/21 vs. Miami Heat, 4/22 vs. Detroit Pistons, 4/24 at New Orleans Pelicans

The San Antonio Spurs simply will not go away. They have not been tremendous this season (currently sporting a losing record) but as soon as it seems time to write them off they have a week with a win over the Dallas Mavericks and comfortable victory against the Phoenix Suns. Figuring out just how competitive they will be down the stretch is no easy task.

This week saw Devin Vassell assert himself a little more. The rookie appeared in two games and played just 17.7 minutes per game but he averaged a solid 11.0 points on shooting splits of .615/.571/1.00. He is already one of the better perimeter defenders on the team and finding his spots on the offensive end will only endear him more to a coaching staff ready to let him take over his role as a future building block.

All that being said, no one was better for the Spurs than DeMar DeRozan. The midrange genius averaged 24.3 points and 8.8 assists per game. His transformation into a playmaker rather than just a slasher has elevated the kind of market there should be for him this summer in free agency. He is the driving factor behind a Spurs offense fighting tooth and nail for a spot in the play-in.