Led by Russell Westbrook’s balanced evening of 28-6-8 in 28 minutes of play, the OKC Thunder used a 31 point third period to dispense of the youngish Timberwolves by a 112-92 count inside the Peake on Saturday evening. OKC improves to 5-1 overall and a perfect 3-0 at home so far this season.
A nice bounce back game from the loss in Oakland on Thursday night where northern California embraced the courage of Durant for having the grit to join fellow All-Stars Steph, Klay, and Draymond in pursuit of a more organic culture. Note sarcasm dripping. If Jerry West were sitting next to me in a bar and we were both drinking beers chit chatting-I’d have no problem whatsoever looking at him and say,”Are you kidding me? Really?”
But here’s the thing, since that game Golden State has lost by twenty to the Lakers while the Spurs lost at home to the Clippers by twenty-four points last night. So–without even looking at nba.com to peruse the Western Conference standings I’m going to guesstimate our Thunder are back atop the West at 5-1 even though we know they’re not going to finish there.
OKC is an uber, uber young team albeit Russell. The fact OKC has started this well far outweighs one loss on the road on the second night of a road back to back in an emotional setting for the Oakland Super AAU team which in reality has been anything but super to date excluding their desire to humiliate the Thunder on national television. Other than that game–they look awkward. Klay Thompson doesn’t even look like the same basketball player. Maybe he could come play here and he’d get some shots. Note to Klay–KD won four scoring titles here regardless of the bullshit you’re reading now. You’ll get your shots here. We’d take you.
5-1 is a great start for this Thunder team with so many new young faces. Here’s the thing–albeit Westbrook, these Thunder kids are as young as the Minnesota Timberwolves and this in no way should ever be overlooked as this season moves along. With growth, there will be some tough learning moments.
Five Thunder players scored in double figures against the Wolves. Westbrook 28, Kanter 20, Adams 14, Dipo 12, and Samaj 10. Nice balance as Westbrook got everyone involved. Jerami Grant and Jofferey Lauvernge both continue to gobble up more rotational minutes on the second unit and I agree with Donovan on both counts. I like both of them even taking into account Jerami shoots three even worse than Andre. But those dunks…omg
Andre Roberson had nine points and actually went 2-3 on threes. Christon had a very solid night at backup point guard with 10 points and 5 assists. Abrines played something like 17 minutes and didn’t make a field goal–which is nonsense because there’s no reason whatsover for him to be on the floor if he’s not making threes. None. Shoot the ball, Alex.
My three stars of the game goes 1 Westbrook, 2 Townes, and 3 Kanter.
Minnesota’s Karl Antony-Townes led all scorers with 33 points and is a legit big time talent.
As a rogue Thunder blogger I couldn’t be happier. 5-1 exceeds any expectations I had regarding the start of this season. Great start. These kids will do nothing except get better every time they step on the floor.
Miami Heat in Oklahoma City tomorrow night. Should be an excellent game.