Trail Blazers: Power Ranking Northwest Division after week two

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz on January 21, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz on January 21, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Portland Trail Blazers
(Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

5. Oklahoma City Thunder (2-4)

Record Last Week: (1-2)

The Thunder went 1-2 on the week yet again but showed more promise as they got a good win against the Pelicans and their losses to the Rockets and Trail Blazers were battles until the final buzzer sounded.

This Thunder roster as it sits now will struggle to succeed going forward because it seems as anybody could be moved at any time as Oklahoma City’s greed for collecting draft picks and other long-term assets continue to pull the team down.

Chris Paul has had some decent moments in the blue and orange, but the fit is clearly not right at the moment. Paul is an aging star in this league and should have the opportunity to contend. It’s very unlikely that CP3 is on the Thunder roster post-trade deadline and the burning question around the league is where he will potentially end up.

The success of their young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stayed steady as he led the Thunder in scoring in two of the three outings from last week. He continues to appear like the real deal and must be in the Thunder’s plan for the future.

Danilo Gallinari cooled off from his scorching hot start and his shooting splits took a hit as he came up short against the Rockets as well as the Trail Blazers. The absence of Steven Adams due to a left knee contusion did not help the struggling Thunder as well.

This week’s upcoming schedule

  • Vs Orlando (Tue, Nov. 5)
  • @ San Antonio (Thu, Nov. 7)
  • Vs Golden State (Sat, Nov. 9)
  • Vs Milwaukee (Sun, Nov. 10)