NBA Western Power Rankings Week 8: Clippers hang onto 4th
By Tom West
December 23, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) runs to the basket during his pre-game routine before the game against the Utah Jazz at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 103-85. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
1st: Golden State Warriors (45 points)
By Tom West
Record: 27-1
Last 10 games: 9-1
Again, as has been the clear case since almost the first day of the season, the Warriors are once again sitting firmly at the top of the NBA. They reside above all others right now with their terrifying league-best offensive rating of 113 and elite defense, and it’s made them an easy unanimous pick for 1st in our rankings again. At 27-1, little needs to be said when it comes to the Warriors.
Stephen Curry is more than dominant with his 31.2 points per game, 51.6 field goal percentage, 44.8 three point percentage, and ridiculous PER of 32.5. He should have cooled down by now, yet he hasn’t at all.
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Alongside Curry, Draymond Green has also taken his game to a whole new level. Besides being one of the top few defenders in the NBA, he’s 7th in assists per game with 7.1.
“A power forward is recording seven assists a night” isn’t something you can say too often.
The only game of note over the last week is none other than the Warriors’ first loss of the season, that somehow came via the Milwaukee Bucks 95-108 on December 18. Golden State had a terrible shooting night going 40.4 percent from the floor and 6-of-27 from three, and the Bucks made the most of it. However, the Boston Celtics get some credit for the streak coming to an end. They took the Warriors to double overtime the night before in a thrilling contest, and it clearly had an effect on Curry and Co. the next day.
Next: Clippers Film Analysis: Breaking down a narrow loss to OKC
Regardless of the one random loss, the Warriors are still on pace to top the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ 72-10 record. They are that good right now.