Where to start, what to write? Game 21 and OKC is 12-8, which is still .600 ball even with Durant missing six games. That’s where I’ll start.
Take what Golden State has done and remove it from the equation. Just focus on what OKC can do to become better in the short term and be a much better team by March. That’s the beginning point.
Thunder in Memphis tonight where historically they usually struggle shooting the basketball. Earlier this season–Memphis on Mario Chalmers Career Night beat the Thunder 122-114. And, of OKC’s eight losses to date this might be one of the most revealing in that they allowed the slow paced Grizzlies to score an unthinkable 122 points.
These first twenty games have revealed the Thunder to be soft defensively, vastly inconsistent on the bench unit, and Serge Ibaka failing to be the strong third piece he needs to be for OKC to be more than just Durant and Westbrook versus the world post James Harden Era in Oklahoma City. And, oh, by the way…oil closed at around $38 dollars a barrel yesterday.
In addition, these first twenty games to date have not been a strong endorsement of any of Sam Presti’s recent moves to bolster the roster or the coaching staff.
Kyle Singler to date has been a bust even in a niche, minor role. DJ Augustin gets torched defensively at times. Dion Waiters has shown some improvement, but then regresses back into bad habits. Anthony Morrow is all over the place as a three point specialist. Steven Adams’ play fluctuates depending on the opponent. Andre Roberson is a nice defender, but I certainly can’t put him in the elite lockdown defender category.
Then there’s the Enes Kanter resign which led Charles Barkley to pick the Thunder to win the NBA championship this season. The only way that works is if Enes Kanter gets a much larger share of shots and can provide more points to offset his defensive liabilities. But then again–defense wins championships. Not sure what Sir Charles was thinking on this one, but then again he never won a ring.
In short, as a team, OKC looks scrambled so far and the same it did last spring when it was missing key pieces due to injuries.
It appears from reading the Daily Thunder comments section this morning they’re ready to trade Russell Westbrook because Sam Presti’s moves haven’t panned out to date with this roster. Not sure I’d pull that trigger just yet. Why would the Atlanta Hawks trade Jeff Teague and Al Horford for Westbrook when he enters free agency the year after Durant? Plus, why would they move the one piece which possibly keeps Durant in OKC a year longer to contemplate his future? And why would Russell Westbrook stay in Atlanta when his parents and his wife’s parents live in Los Angeles? Triple sigh, but you have to love the DT Trekkies if for nothing else their sheer exuberance in creating scenarios. Sigh.
It’s simple for Sam Presti, Billy Donovan and the Thunder organization as a whole–start playing much better or there’s no reason for Kevin Durant to stay in Oklahoma City beyond this season with the belief Sam Presti can construct a championship roster worthy of a generational player like Durant.