NBA Power Rankings: The Brooklyn Nets had a full week from January 18th-24th, and struggled throughout; did that drop them in the ESPN Power Rankings?
It was another difficult week for the Brooklyn Nets in what has been a common theme throughout the season. The Nets have struggled throughout the month of January, but their wins before this past week were impressive as they defeated the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.
The impressive wins continued this past week as well. Despite riding a five-game losing streak, which started after their defeat of the Knicks about two weeks ago, the Nets were able to pull off a huge upset against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first time a team more than 20 games under .500 led wire-to-wire against the Thunder since the Indiana Pacers, who were 23-46 at the time, did it in March if 2010.
Some Nets fans will think that win was important on many levels. For one, it was impressive defeating a team as strong as the Thunder, but it also gives them more hope that Kevin Durant will come to them this offseason. This one win probably does not sway Durant much, as the Nets still have a lot of work to do before becoming a desirable destination for free agents, but fans can always hope.
The win did not do much for the Nets in ESPN’s NBA Power Rankings though, as they stayed steady with the 26th ranking. That is in large part due to their performance during the week prior to the Thunder game Sunday.
Prior to that victory over the Thunder, the Nets were riding a five-game losing streak that included three losses last week, all of the blowout variety. They lost to the Toronto Cavaliers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz, with the closest game being a 12 point loss.
Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young came up big against the Thunder much like they have throughout the season. Lopez dominated with 31 points and 10 rebounds, adding two assists and three blocks. Young added 14 points and 14 rebounds with three assists one block and one steal as the Thunder just had no answers for the Nets duo inside.
The Nets will be needing more of the same from Lopez and Young in addition to their teammates stepping up if they want to pick up more victories in the near future. They have a good chance at a win tonight against the Miami Heat, who are also dealing with a ton of injuries and reeling at the moment.
In addition to a game against the Heat, the Nets will be starting a road trip this week, starting with visits to the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans. The Nets could catch a break against the Pelicans, as Anthony Davis is dealing with a concussion and may be sidelined for the game.
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If that is the case, the Nets have a chance at putting together their first winning week since the first full week of games in December. If that happens, will the Nets be able to move up in the power rankings? Or will they stick near the bottom where they seem to have taken up a permanent residence.