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NBA Power Rankings Week 6: New faces in the top ten

By Jack Simone

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 22: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets stands next to Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on November 22, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 22: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets stands next to Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on November 22, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 10: Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on November 10, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Week 6 NBA Power Rankings: 26. Oklahoma City Thunder (6-13)

Rank last week: 23rd

Last week: (0-3) – @ ATL (L), vs. UTA (L), vs. WAS (L)

Offensive rating: 100.0 (30th in NBA)

Defensive rating: 107.0 (14th in NBA)

After a surprisingly solid stretch to start the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have crashed back down to earth. They have now lost five straight games in a row.

Their struggles have been a direct representation of a severe lack of offense, which is the worst in the NBA at the moment. Meanwhile, their defense hasn’t been all that bad.

One positive for them recently has been the play of Lu Dort. He is slowly entering the conversation for Most Improved Player and has averaged 21 points per game for the past week.

The rest of the team leaves much to be desired, though. They are made up of almost exclusively young players, however, so that is somewhat understandable.

Season outlook: To be perfectly honest, the Thunder are playing much better than a lot of people expected. Coming into the year, most had them pegged as the worst team in the NBA. So far, they are not. However, they will still almost certainly find themselves in the top ten of this year’s NBA draft.