A win is a win is a win no matter how you slice especially in this season of dysfunction in Oklahoma City as the Thunder held on to win 90-87 over the Spurs inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.
It was a game in which the Little Miss Sunshine side of the Thunder manifested itself once again in the second half after a stellar first half performance. The first half Thunder moved the ball, flowed with a sense of artistic purpose, made shots, and had me feeling pretty good. But then, of course, the other Thunder team then showed up. What once looked like was going to be a comfortable win–became a seat squirmer to the very last shot of the game.
The Spurs sat Leonard, Aldridge, Ginobli, and Parker and yet still had a chance to the very end to win on the road against a healthy Thunder team which should be no lower than the third seed in the West if you only look at rosters on paper.
But still, it’s a win and improves the Thunder to 10-12 and gives the impression that by at least winning this game some baby steps might be taking place.
The biggest baby step is that for second straight game Steven Adams was a major part in the Thunder offense scoring 19 points and once again showing the form from post season play two seasons ago.
Russell Westbrook triple doubled for the seventh time this season, but once again had trouble running the offense during crunch time. But again, OKC has won two in a row against two teams from the West who should finish in the top six once the smoke has cleared after 82 regular season games.
Both Paul George and Carmelo Anthony struggled shooting the ball, so again it’s a good sign for OKC in that two major parts of the team can have an off night and they can still find a way to win a game.
Andre Roberson and Jerami Grant both had good games. So if I were going to give grades on this game I’d go Adams with an A, Westbrook with a B, both Roberson and Grant with B’s. Ray Felton had what I though was another solid performance and I’d give him a B as well. Alex Abrines actually made a three and showed he still has a pulse of sort. But I’m very disappointed with both Abrines and Patterson to date. I expected much, much more form both of these role players…especially in home games. You expect role players to be up and down on the road, but if you want to contend your role players need to be excelling at home.
Again, this group of Little Miss Sunshiners aren’t going to get me to think any great bridge of sort has been crossed in the two December games, but at least there’s an illusion of hope it won’t get worse and we won’t see Billy Donovan dancing and flapping his arms in team huddles.
Like I wrote before, the schedule for OKC in December and January is favorable, if this team has any character whatsoever the feel about this team moving into February should be one of hope and optimism.
I’m already thinking trade deadline. I’m thinking if Abrines and Patterson can’t get their games together something might need to be done. I’m even good with the notion of Josh Huestis being in our top nine players.
Top ten for me right now goes… 1 Westbrook, 2 George, 3 Adams, 4 Carmelo, 5 Andre, 6 Jerami, 7 Raymond, 8 Huestis, 9 Abrines, 10 Patterson.
All in all, a great sports week-end for me. OU advanced to Rose Bowl and the Final Four, the Thunder won two in a row, and Aaron Rodgers is just about ready to start playing again for the Packers.
Utah Jazz in town tomorrow night to face the Thunder.
Winning is fun.
No one gets left behind in this season of dysfunction. No one.