NBA Power Rankings: Blake Griffin trade shakes things up

Detroit has lost eight games in a row, and the playoff aspirations they had at the beginning of the season appear to be slipping away, as they continue to tumble down the Eastern Conference standings. They’ve been trying to find a solution to their point guard position, after Reggie Jackson’s injury, and tried starting Langston Galloway this week, but it didn’t help.

They shot just 39 percent from the field in a 98-95 loss to the Utah Jazz, losing in overtime after they were unable to manufacture points down the stretch. They couldn’t slow down Russell Westbrook, who put up a triple-double with 31 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, and the outcome was decided well before the final buzzer. They were pummeled by the Cavaliers, 121-104, on Sunday, the latest smackdown courtesy of a team with a winning record. “A loss is a loss,” Van Gundy said. “We fought hard, but in the last eight minutes we slowed down. We haven’t found a starting lineup that can hold their own. We’re just getting pummeled by good teams.”

They certainly decided to shake things up, moving Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, and two future picks (a first and a second) for Blake Griffin. The former Clippers All-Star forward will be their de facto point guard, and should form a killer combo with Andre Drummond in the frontcourt. The NBA is insane!