I hate preseason games. I’m glad it’s over. The Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night by a 96-86 score. I think OKC is going to have a very interesting season.
From my view, OKC has either the second or third best roster in the NBA. I’d go 1 Golden State, 2 Cleveland, 3 Oklahoma City, 4 San Antonio, and 5 Houston.
Golden State, Golden State, Golden State…does this OKC team have enough to beat this team four times in a seven game series? On paper, one would say no. But that’s why you play the games. Maybe some injuries hit the Warriors. Maybe Trump and Rocket Man start WW III and the season has to be put on hold. But on paper, this Warrior team is a dynasty as we get ready to begin real games next season.
OKC’s bench is a big key for me. Both the Warriors and Cavs have excellent benches. It can’t be like last year for the Thunder with their bench. The bench has to be a plus. Period.
I’m not at all concerned as to how Russell, PG, and Melo meld their games. That will be fine. The rest of the roster night in and night out has to define their roles and bring a consistent level of play every night for this team to say flirt with the notion of going something like 58-24 in the regular season.
Big season for Billy Donovan as an NBA head coach. I like Donovan for the most part. I want to see him take his coaching game up a level or two this season…which I think he will do.
Steven Adams is getting paid $25 million this season. He needs to play like it.
Andre needs to visualize Halle Berry naked when he’s at the line and start making his free throws. Alex Abrines needs to provide instant offense off the bench. Raymond Felton has to be a reliable backup point guard. Patrick Patterson has to supply an overall game from his bench minutes. Jerami Grant needs to take his game to a higher level and be consistent. Who’s the tenth guy on my list…I’ll go with the rookie Terrance Ferguson. I think he’ll be a nice little addition as we move along this season. These seven guys HAVE to get better every night if this team wants to entertain any notion of beating the Warriors.
I could care less about Russell amassing triple doubles. I want to see the ball move. I want to see the other players getting their touches in their respective comfort zone spots on the floor. What I really want to see is Russell taking his game to another level as a point guard. I know he can do it—he’s a smart Bad Little Dude. Russell has done everything but win a ring and from my vantage point he will be pushing himself to the max to get his ring. Same with Melo, same with PG…these are three elite players who should be completely fired up about the chance to compete for a ring.
Unless a war starts, I’m ready to ignore Caligula and start following this Thunder team on my blog.
Is this Thunder roster stronger one thru ten than the team which made it to the 2012 NBA Finals? I think it is. But again, the problem is that group in Golden State. They’re pretty good.
I’m excited. I’m ready. And as a fan/blogger extremely grateful for all the excellent work Sam Presti did this off season. I love Thunder basketball. Once the season begins—my life somewhat centers around it.
Here are the highlights from tonight’s Denver game. From this point forward—the games count.
LET’S GO THUNDER!