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NBA Playoffs 2017: Power ranking all 16 playoff teams

By Chris Barnewall

January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) directs his team during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Thunder won 106-105. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) directs his team during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Thunder won 106-105. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Oklahoma City Thunder

It’s really weird ranking the Thunder this low, especially with how well they’ve played in the regular season, but their playoff matchup is not favorable in the slightest. Russell Westbrook, a potential MVP candidate, is facing off against potential MVP candidate James Harden, and the Rockets. This series is going to be bonkers on the offensive end with the entertainment value of it off the charts. Unfortunately, it probably won’t go very long.

The Thunder will have their first round go one of two ways. Westbrook averages a 30-15-15 and manages to steal two games entirely on his own, but the overall offense of the team isn’t enough to overcome Houston. That, or Westbrook shoots 25 percent and the series is over quickly. There is absolutely no in-between. Like the Celtics, the Thunder go as their best player goes. Unlike the Celtics, the Thunder aren’t the No. 1 seed in their conference.

Oklahoma City has a solid defense, but a middling offense. Nothing about their team as a whole screams a deep run into the playoffs. This isn’t to say they have bad role players. Oklahoma City’s supporting cast are all very good at what they do it’s just not enough to make a deep playoff run. They’re a solid regular season team that will likely struggle in the postseason. Westbrook is great enough to make it interesting, but they got screwed in the seeding. If they were just one seed higher they could have made some noise, but sadly that won’t happen.

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