I just read this incredible novel by a French female author entitled The Heart. It’s about a young man in France who goes into a vegetative state after a car accident, and the chain of events which eventually lead to his heart being transplanted into an older person. Great book and beautifully written.
So—I’m sitting here thinking about this Thunder team and the way they play without Andre Roberson…as in heartless except for that rousing win over the Sixers where they showed some heart. It seems astounding to me a defensive role player could singularly hold the key to the Thunder’s heart, but maybe he did and Sam Presti knew it.
Obviously, Russell Westbrook is the league’s reigning MVP, obviously Paul George is one of the best two way players in the league, obviously Carmelo Anthony is headed to the Basketball Hall of Fame, and obviously Steven Adams is one of the better centers in the league…so why is the Thunder having so much trouble adjusting to real NBA life without Andre Roberson.
I read and hear this nonsense about how the Thunder now have no one who can defend the three. Bullshit. I’m calling bullshit.
Paul George can’t defend NBA wing players? Russell Westbrook can’t stay with his man? Steven Adams can’t hang on the boards with an aging Brooks Lopez? Carmelo Anthony can’t hang with Julius Randle? Josh Huestis can’t come into a game for something like 16 minutes a game and give his team a defensive energy spark? Alex Abrines and Terrance Ferguson can’t come into a game for limited minutes and give their team an offensive or energy spark? Pat Patterson can’t come into a game as a seasoned vet and give his team something tangible every night? Ray Felton can’t play like he was before Roberson’s injury? You’re telling me these guys as highly paid professionals can’t step on the floor and do their jobs for forty-eight minutes?
You’ll notice I didn’t mention Jerami Grant. That’s because he’s played well and actually has a look like he cares.
So…here the Thunder sit losers of four straight against four teams they should have beaten given each team was missing a star player. The Thunder didn’t lose a star, they apparently did lose Andre Roberson’s heart though.
And when you’re playing the sharp shooting Warriors in their building without your best defender and your heart it gives a fan/blogger like me some serious concern.
I wonder what Billy Donovan ever says to these guys behind closed doors. He seems so gentle with these NBA multi-millionaires. He seems daunted by the task of suggesting his team doesn’t play hard for 48 minutes. He doesn’t seem equal to the task.
So…I’ll say it for him to his team. Start playing with a chip on your shoulder and some competitive urgency. Show me some heart.
Thunder at the Warriors tonight…some sense of heart would be nice.