NBA Power Rankings: Are The LA Clippers, OKC Thunder For Real?

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Nov 5, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; LA Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) dunks the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

In this week’s edition of our NBA Power Rankings, we explore whether the Oklahoma City Thunder and LA Clippers are for real

When watching the LA Clippers through two weeks of this season, you may notice something different about them. They aren’t the same old Clippers.

These aren’t the same Clippers that are going to outscore you night in and night out. Instead, these are some Clippers that will lock you down on the defensive side of the ball, and then use that to open up the offensive end.

Through Monday, the Clippers had the NBA’s best defense – only allowing 90.7 points per 100 possessions. If LA can continue to play this level of defense this season, they’re going to be a pain come April and May.

Another team in the Western Conference that has looked almost equally as impressive is the Oklahoma City Thunder, which comes as a bit of a surprise.

After losing Kevin Durant in the summer, many expected the Thunder to take a HUGE step back. Instead, almost the opposite has happened. Led by Russell Westbrook, the Thunder have gotten off to a 6-1 start.

As the Clippers and Thunder both trend up, we jump into this week’s installment of our NBA Power Rankings.