Knicks in town tonight to play the OKC Thunder, but it’s already been announced Kevin Durant is not playing so he’s a scratch. Knicks enter at 6-6 and much improved from last year’s disaster season. Carmelo Anthony and Latvian rookie big man Kristaps Porzingus have anchored a Knick return to respectability under second year coach Derek Fisher.
As we’ve seen in these four games without Durant, they’ve all been struggles to varying degrees. I would expect the same to be true tonight as it should be a good game as the Thunder aspire to improve on their 7-5 mark and stay near San Antonio for the second seed in the West.
To me–it’s very simple if other players on the roster besides Westbrook and Durant cannot consistently start picking up their games, OKC will not seriously contend for the West along with the Warriors and Spurs even after Durant’s return. Period.
At the top of this list I put Ibaka, Kanter, Adams and Waiters. It’s time for these four players to show me why I have them ranked as OKC’s four best players after Westbrook and Durant. The Singler-Morrow thing is vexing, but both of those guys are specific role players with narrowed roles. Same with Andre Roberson. But much more is needed from the foursome listed above.
Very simple axiom in team building. Here we go…your two stars have to play like elite stars. Your alpha closer has to get healthy and stay healthy. Serge Ibaka has to step up his game and leave no doubt he’s the third best player. Backup point guard DJ Augustin has to play much better defense and give OKC something when Westbrook has to take a blow. Morrow has to make threes. Collison has to be Collison doing the dirty work. Andre Roberson has to be a better lockdown perimeter defender.
That’s ten players. That would be my rotation. Quit messing with the roles upon Durant’s return. This means Kyle Singler becomes the 11th man and a floater in sense after Durant returns to the lineup.
OKC needs to win tonight, get to 8-5 and have Durant in the lineup Sunday night against the Mavericks.