OKC Thunder 128 — Portland Trailblazers 94
This is more like it. This is the Thunder team we need to see more frequently. The Thunder team which has two of the best four players in the world on their roster. The Thunder team which has a nice trio of bigs in Ibaka, Adams, and Kanter. The Thunder team which has an elite three point specialist in Anthony Morrow. The Thunder team which has a promising rookie playmaking guard in Cameron Payne.
This is more of what I expect from the Thunder. I’ll get to what I’ve seen from Billy Donovan of late further down the page.
OKC just basically blew out the Trailblazers from start to finish in this one. Didn’t leave to any chance that their fourth quarter demons could derail them again. It was an excellent team win and Durant and Westbrook only played light minutes — which is a very good thing this time of the season.
OKC’s bench was superb scoring 66 points in this one. Enes Kanter is my No. 1 Star of the Game with 26 points and a +28.
Anthony Morrow scored 11 and looked like A-Mo of last season before Billy Donovan’s bizarre rotations shred his shooting confidence. Randy Foye finally made some shots and had 11 points.
Cam Payne finally saw the floor again and I thought he looked good. His lack of playing time absolutely pisses me off because anyone who’s watched Russell Westbrook knows No. 0 needs a co-pilot hybrid guard on the floor with him to close in Winning Time. Let’s be honest here.. Russell Westbrook for all his triple doubles has never shown himself to be a poised closer against elite teams in post season matchups.
James Harden perfected the role in 2012-13 when he in fact was the Thunder’s MVP when they made the NBA Finals. Likewise—Reggie Jackson saved OKC’s ass two years ago when the Thunder escaped Memphis and eventually made their third trip to the WCF.
I get the fact Cam Payne struggles defensively, but so did Reggie Jackson and so does Russell Westbrook when he’s only half mentally engaged. So my suggestion to Billy Donovan would be to f#@king pull your head out and allow Cam Payne to develop as OKC’s hybrid guard co-closer.
This isn’t SEC basketball, there’s no need for an overthink on this. Develop Cameron Payne. Period. You don’t piss away the 14th pick in the draft. Nurture him.
Westbrook had his 12th triple double of the season…yawn.
All together seven Thunder players scored in double figures.
The Thunder improve to 45-22 on the season and now head east for a three game road swing which includes Boston, Philly, and Indiana.
I’m not coddling these guys anymore. That’s the job of our local homers. Nick Gallo can daub the superstars in the shower if that’s what they need from him.Step up and lead superstars. Step it up.
Now I’ve got to get my game face on for Super Tuesday and chart how many times the pathological liar Donald Trump lies in the next twenty-four hour news cycle.
Mike Jackson