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The DeAnd'Rankings: Volume X

Here we go, one more time, everybody's feeling fine. Here we go noowww.

It's the DeAnd'Rankings; the internet's #1 option when it comes to ranking the NBA's players named DeAndre (or some variation thereof) on a weekly basis. It's Friday, which is slowly but surely becoming known as DeAndre day. The members of the Committee who oversee the rankings chose Friday to help get fans started on their weekend vibes because, let's get real, more basketball around the weekend is great.

The race is heating up, as late-bloomer (thanks to suspension) Deandre Ayton is gaining ground on season-long surprise DeAndre Jordan while Atlanta's De'Andre Hunter and DeAndre' Bembry have had a rougher go of it. But this week may have brought about more change. Find out below after reading through the customary five introductory questions.

Q1: Will there be playoff DeAnd'Rankings?

Considering only one of the three teams which carry a DeAndre is currently in the playoff picture (Brooklyn, tied for 7/8th seed in the East), it feels like it would be disingenuous. But maybe the other guys really go wild on Instagram or something and boost their ratings? TBD, but probably not.

Q2: Even if the Nets make the playoffs, do they have a chance of making any noise?

Nope.

Q3: Did this week's rankings start with an *NSYNC lyric?

Yes. But it's hard to say I'm sorry. It's hard to make the things I did undone.

Q4: What are the odds that next year's DeAndre situation changes?

What am I, an oracle? I don't know. Dumb question.

Q5: Ready?

Ready.

THE TENTH DEAND'RANKINGS: THROUGH MARCH 5, 2020

4. DeAndre' Bembry

It's been a rough stretch for Bembry and there's not a lot to say at this point. He's probably for Friday night's game, which is encouraging, but he hasn't played since January 20th. Hard to move up in the rankings of basketball players if you're not playing basketball.

Last week's rank: 4

3. DeAndre Jordan

An upset! DJ had been #1 or #2 every week this season, but the winds changed a bit this week. DJ had one very good game, 8 points and 15 rebounds in a wild comeback win against the Celtics (Brooklyn trailed by 13 at half, 17 after 3, and then scored 51 points in the fourth quarter to take it to overtime), but otherwise it was a quiet week. The Nets lost 3 of 4 and DJ didn't record double digit points nor rebounds in those 3 losses.

It wasn't a bad week per se, but it wasn't very inspiring.

Last week's rank: 2

2. De'Andre Hunter

Look at this! Hunter had a couple of great games in wins this week, which gave him enough juice to bump him above the elder statesman in the DeAnd'Rankings. De'Andre dropped 18/10 on 4-8 from deep against DJ's Brooklyn Nets, then followed it up with a 6-9 three-point effort the very next night. He scored 22 in that second game - a win against Portland. That makes for a nice little week for the rookie. He struggled shooting in a blowout loss to Memphis but managed a steal and two blocks, plus seven boards and 3 assists, so he's doing a little better at making an impact when his shooting fails him.

It may not hold, but it was a nice week for the youngster.

Last week's rank: 3

1. Deandre Ayton

Ayton is threatening to put a stranglehold on the weekly top spot, though the season-long rankings will be down to the wire. This week saw mediocre performance from DJ, a nice performance from Hunter, but no great performance from any of the four. As such, Ayton's baseline play is just better than the other two active guys.

In a non-remarkable week, Deandre Ayton averaged 18/11 for the Phoenix Suns while adding 3.6 steal+blocks per game. The Suns also lost all three of those games and it turns out they're really bad.

But still, 18/11 plus some defensive stats is more than any other DA could muster, so Ayton claims the top spot with room to spare.

Last week's rank: 1

SEASON STANDINGS AFTER VOLUME X

4. DeAndre' Bembry: 13 points
3. De'Andre Hunter: 25 points
2. Deandre Ayton: 26 points
1. DeAndre Jordan: 35 points

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