Fansided

NBA Power Rankings: One reason every team can be optimistic

By Ian Levy

BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 3: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on December 3, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 3: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on December 3, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 15: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Terrance Ferguson #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder enjoy a laugh on the bench during the game against the LA Clippers on December 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 15: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Terrance Ferguson #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder enjoy a laugh on the bench during the game against the LA Clippers on December 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

149. . 19-10. Previous: 5th. oklahoma city thunder. 7. team

This is not the best Thunder team we’ve ever seen — not by strength-of-schedule-adjusted point differential, not by win percentage and almost certainly not by championship probability. What they do have is the best defense in franchise history, relative to the league average, and as good a chance to win a title as they’ve had since Kevin Durant departed.

Paul George has been playing like an MVP-candidate and the team just added some future stability by picking up Billy Donovan’s option for next season. But perhaps the most important thing is the way they’ve decreased their reliance on Russell Westbrook. His assist percentage is the lowest it’s been since 2013-14 and his usage rate is the lowest it’s been since 2009-10. He is still incredible and will be absolutely essential in a deep playoff run, but more balance between him, George and the rest of the weapons on the roster just makes the Thunder harder to stop.

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