Well ahead of the season, ESPN released a set of Power Rankings for the NBA. Of course, the Golden State Warriors maintain a firm grip on the top slot leaving the rest of the positions up for grabs. In a continuous state of flux due to the NBA Draft and All-Star Trades, things now appear to have settled down. It leaves only one question…where does the Oklahoma Thunder sit?
And the best teams heading into the 2018-19 season are … https://t.co/kcCZ1vbRkf pic.twitter.com/jJMgt2l77z
— ESPN (@espn) July 23, 2018
Previously, the sports network ranked OKC as the fourteenth best team in the league regardless of conference. Clearly, re-signing Paul George while dumping Carmelo Anthony’s contract paid dividends for the image of the Thunder. Yet, the addition of Dennis Schroder also factored into the equation lifting Oklahoma City to a prestigious No. 6 overall.
Behind what could easily be termed a successful summer, Billy Donovan and the rest of the crew appear primed for the role of spoiler in the Western Conference. Expect a majority of the growing pains to evaporate as the team gels together heading into the fall. Until then, Sam Presti has something to hang his hat on once again!