Sixteen games in and the Thunder are clearly the league’s biggest disappointment. With each passing game, it becomes harder and harder to watch as no identity, no chemistry, and little urgency seem to be aboard this Thunder super team.
One observation I made tonight while watching the Thunder lose to the Pelicans 114-107 was that the team just isn’t very good even though on paper they would appear to have one of the league’s top five rosters. Even when DeMarcus Cousins got ejected for a Flagrant 2 elbow thrown into Russell Westbrook’s head I never once had the feeling this team had the mental stuff to take advantage of the ejection and turn it into a measurable advantage.
Billy Donovan looks lost. He looks like a college coach who should still be coaching level ball in that he can’t seem to put any offensive identity together with this team, nor on this night any defensive identity.
Calling the Thunder horrible at this point would be an overreaction, but they’re not good, especially not good when you consider what Clay Bennett and his ownership group paid to put this poser Super Team together.
You look into the eyes of Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo and they just look hollowed out like they have no idea what is going on. Billy Donovan looks even worse if that’s possible.
The Thunder now stand at 7-9 and headed nowhere for the time being. Kevin Durant and the Warriors come to Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday night. I would strongly suggest Thunder fans leave the Cupcakes at home and not do anything overboard to motivate the Warriors to beat the Thunder by twenty or more points.
I know that’s a horrible attitude to have a mere 16 games in, but from I’ve seen to date…that’s how I honestly feel about Wednesday. Just hoping they play well enough to be competitive and not embarrass themselves on national television.
In Year 1, when the Thunder went 23-59, I never felt this way. I loved every game because the team was young and you could see them work hard every night to get better. This is the polar opposite. This is the side of the NBA you try to avoid if possible.
My check engine light went on tonight.
I’m concerned.
Warriors in town on Wednesday night.
Oh, boy.
Yes.