OKC Thunder 113 — Minnesota Timberwolves 93
OKC’s Thunder moved the basketball Friday night inside the Chesapeake Energy Arena. It didn’t stick, it swung, then found a wide open shooter. Basketball is simple, yet beautiful when played this way. OKC had 31 assists to but 6 turnovers en route to an easy coast to coast cakewalk win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Russell Westbrook played like you want your point guard to play in registering the 23rd triple double of his unique career. One game removed from being snookered into an ejection by J.J. Barea, and showing little composure on the floor, Westbrook gave a clinic on what a team aspiring for lofty goals needs from their point guard on every night, not just when they’re playing one of the worst teams in the league.
Russell Westbrook is my No. 1 Star with 12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and only two turnovers. When Westbrook plays like this, OKC is elite. When he plays that other way, not so much. Hate to dwell on it, but for OKC to be Warriors, Spurs, Cleveland-like elite—this is the Westbrook OKC has to have, not the one who J.J. Barea got ejected the other night. You don’t think every good team in post season won’t talk about getting under Westbrook’s skin? C’mon, this isn’t Nick Gallo’s recap or the Fox postgame show.
This was basically over at the end of the first period as OKC took command in the first twelve minutes leading 31-17 at the end of the period, then 57-43 at the half. Like I said in the preview, Minnesota isn’t very good, but still–it’s a team with two No. 1 picks from two different drafts in Wiggins and Towns. Not trying to be critical of Sam Mitchell, but maybe these young guys should be coached just a little different. Like maybe starting with the decision of who’s your point guard moving forward…Ricky Rubio or Zack Lavine. Make a decision and go with it like OKC did with Westbrook during his ugly growing days. Just a random thought there for the editors of Daily T Wolves. Sigh.
It was a night of ball Billy Donovan and staff hope will be the template for the Thunder’s remaining 41 regular season games and beyond. Almost perfect. OKC had six players score in double figures and its starters combined for 66 points, while OKC’s often criticized bench scored 47 points. Tell me this isn’t what Donovan would want every night, and I’ll tell you you’re wrong. This is what Billy Donovan wants from his team and his two stars. HE WANTS WESTBROOK AND DURANT TO MAKE THE OTHER PLAYERS AROUND THEM BETTER AND HE WANTS THESE PLAYERS TO MAKE SHOTS. I hope the caps didn’t take away from the thought I was trying to convey.
BTW, OKC shot 52.8% from the field on the night. Nice.
Durant had a good game as well scoring 21 points and handing out 7 assists. This means combined Westbrook and Durant had 17 helpers and but 3 turnovers. That will win Billy Donovan a basketball game on almost every night.
The curious, mysterious Dion Waiters had his second effective game in a row scoring 20 points and only completely missed the rim on a layup–once.
In closing this one out–let me quote Jeff van Gundy from the Cleveland-Houston game which caused me to be late with this recap.
‘Teams which aspire to win championships play defense and move the ball every night. It’s not just a sometimes thing. It’s something which comes about through working hard as a team to do it every day in practice and in every game. Most teams won’t do this though.”
So—there’s the challenge to Durant, Westbrook, and the Thunder as a whole via Coach Jeff van Gundy. If you want to win a championship you have to get dirty, play smart, and do the little things which don’t come easily.
End of lecture.
Mike Jackson