NBA 2018-19: Western Conference Power Rankings - Month 1

The Trail Blazers were slated not to make the playoffs according to their predictions, but that over/under of 43 looks more and more likely to be a seriously foolish bet for those who took the under on that one
The Trail Blazers were slated not to make the playoffs according to their predictions, but that over/under of 43 looks more and more likely to be a seriously foolish bet for those who took the under on that one

#4 Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder has since recovered from a 0-4 start to post a 10-2 record since the first nine days of the season
The Thunder has since recovered from a 0-4 start to post a 10-2 record since the first nine days of the season

One of the most sluggish teams to start the season off, the Thunder has since recovered from a 0-4 start to post a 10-2 record since the first nine days of the season.

They put together a solid 9-1 streak despite Westbrook missing several games during this spell of games, including a couple of credible wins over the Pelicans, Rockets and the Wizards.

New addition Dennis Schroder has been invaluable to this team, as he allows coach Billy Donovan to run virtually the same schemes with Westbrook off the floor as when he's on it given the German point man's explosiveness.

Nerlens Noel has been pretty great in the backup center role, while Jerami Grant has been amazing in the starting lineup - shooting north of 40% from downtown.

The likes of Terrance Ferguson and Hamidou Diallo have looked pretty great in the role-playing guard roles, but the Thunder have the potential to be a beastly defensive team once Andre Roberson stages his comeback from a knee injury he suffered this January.

With time, Westbrook and George will reach their best form and the Thunder will be the team they were projected to be - a potential banana skin for the Warriors during the playoffs.

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