-Staff Reports-
I think most are now seeing the value of Shai Gilgeous-Alexxander to this version of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Without Shai, the Thunder late last week lost to a Dallas Mav team which did not have either Luka or Derek Lively on the floor.
The Thunder then beat up on the hapless Brooklyn Nets with Shai back in the lineup a couple of nights ago.
Then last night, the Utah Jazz who are arguably the worst team in the West visited Paycom Arena and it took every one of Shai’s career high 54 points to get the Thunder past the lottery headed Jazz.
It can’t be ignored that without Isaiah Hartenstein on the floor the Jazz pounded OKC on the boards last night by the count of 52-39.
I love Jaylin Williams but it can neither be ignored in almost twenty minutes of floor time he had but 2 rebounds against this Jazz team. Two rebounds in twenty minutes of play. I think if I were Coach Mark I’d pull JWill aside today at the team shoot-around and point out to JWill he had 2 rebounds versus the worst team in the Western Conference.
Hey, JWill…MJ loves you and was strongly advocating for the Thunder to pick you from Arkansas…but the Thunder need more out of you and your minutes than 2 rebounds in twenty minutes with Isaiah not available. Let’s see less smiling and some TSN (Toughness, Snarl, Nasty) tonight versus the Mavs without Derek Lively who’s a definite DNP. Command your floor space.
On a more positive note…I enjoyed seeing former OU player EJ Harkless getting some nice floor time for the Jazz last night. I loved EJ during his time in Norman. Porter didn’t use him correctly or in the manner Lon Krueger used EJ, but that’s on Porter.
Anyway…It’s good to see EJ’s NBA career moving in the right direction. Anyone who needs a 10th or 11th roster spot filled with a wing who’s tough as nails defensively and can at times hit the open three should maybe give EJ a look if he’s available at some point this season. Yeah, maybe even someone like Calvin Booth… the GM of the Denver Nuggets.
Dallas at OKC tonight still without Luka and Derek Lively.