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Northwest Division Power Rankings: A New Leader?

By Blake Holmes

Nov 5, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) drives the ball to the basket during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) drives the ball to the basket during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) drives to the basket in front of Minnesota Timberwolves center Cole Aldrich (45) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) drives to the basket in front of Minnesota Timberwolves center Cole Aldrich (45) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Oklahoma City Thunder.

You probably could have seen this coming, because Westbrook is playing like a man on a mission right now.

Coming into the season, I wondered if the Thunder could be anything like they were last season with the departure of Kevin Durant. I wondered if Westbrook could step in and lead the team, while possibly recreating the MVP caliber stats that he had last season. I wondered if the Victor Oladipo acquisition would work out for OKC, and what kind of impact that he would have.

The answer to all of those thoughts are yes, and I couldn’t be more surprised with the Thunder’s start. I expected them to be good, but to start the season 6-1? I didn’t expect that. Westbrook looks just as good, if not better with Durant in Golden State, even though they had their one loss handed to them by the Warriors. The most beautiful thing about this team is that Westbrook isn’t the only player that’s playing well. The team as a whole is playing well, all while revolving around the at times one-man show of Westbrook.

Must Read: Takeaways and Grades- Denver vs Boston

Westbrook leads the squad in scoring and assists, as he is arguably the Most Valuable Player so far. Not only are they a pretty good offensive team, they know what they’re doing on the defensive side of the ball too. OKC is currently 12th in the league in points per game, while they are 9th in points allowed.

Nov 7, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the court prior to action against the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the court prior to action against the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Can the Thunder continue their impressive start? They’re 6-1, with games against the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Orlando Magic in the upcoming week.

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