2019-20 OKC Thunder Regular Season Thread

[1bigfan13]

Royce Young's write up from ESPN's latest power rankings (Thunder are #14):

Four straight wins put the Thunder on the right side of .500, but even more so, they're 9-3 dating to Nov. 29. They've found a rhythm and an identity, playing egoless, fun basketball. Dennis Schroder is making a strong case as an early front-runner for the Sixth Man Award and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set a career high with 32 points against the Suns, then matched it Sunday against the Clippers. -- Young

Could be just an innocent usage of the word "egoless" on his part, but it was the exact word I used while watching the 2nd half of last night's game.

It's refreshing just watching the team play basketball with the #1 priority being on winning the game. Not chasing personal accolades. Not settling personal beefs. But winning the game is priority 1.

It's refreshing as hell.

As for Russ, since it's obvious that I was referring to him...that move to Houston is exactly what he needed as well. He's in a position where nightly stat chasing isn't a realistic option, so he's finally getting back to just playing ball. And his overall level of play has been a lot better because of it.

[1bigfan13]

Steven Adams has played well the last few weeks. Quite possibly playing the best 10 game stretch of his career. If he keeps this up I think some team may eventually talk themselves into taking on his contract.

Averages over the last 10 Games:
PPG: 14.1
RPG: 11.3
BLK: 1.7
FG%: .674
FT%: .515
+/-: +2.2

The most promising part of his resurgence, IMO, is that a large chunk of his scoring is coming off shots he's created for himself in the post. He's not solely relying on lobs or the guards breaking down the D.

[No-Man]

Do you guys want Playoffs or trade Adams, Schröder and Gallo and get assets? I know what I'd go for but just trying to feel what the fans are after

[ThunderBolt]

Read on Twitter

[ThunderBolt]

Do you guys want Playoffs or trade Adams, Schröder and Gallo and get assets? I know what I'd go for but just trying to feel what the fans are after

Assets but not desperate so at to accept a weak return.

[No-Man]

Do you guys want Playoffs or trade Adams, Schröder and Gallo and get assets? I know what I'd go for but just trying to feel what the fans are after

Assets but not desperate so at to accept a weak return.

I mean, with Gallo it's either some return or nothing

Adams and Schröder are also not long-term pieces and will be free agents in 2021, also Dennis may regress and lose a ton of value, I'd move him for the best I can now

[ThunderBolt]

Do you guys want Playoffs or trade Adams, Schröder and Gallo and get assets? I know what I'd go for but just trying to feel what the fans are after

Assets but not desperate so at to accept a weak return.

I mean, with Gallo it's either some return or nothing

Adams and Schröder are also not long-term pieces and will be free agents in 2021, also Dennis may regress and lose a ton of value, I'd move him for the best I can now

We can say Gallo isn't under contract after this year, Dennis and Adams only have one more year and is under contract for too long. Shai could come down with Ebola. There are tons of what ifs. The reality is every one of these played in a way to maximize their value and OKC isn't going to feel pressure to accept lowball offers as if we are backed in to a corner.

Multiple teams should be interested in Gallo. If these competing teams are both offering a pick in the late 20's or late teens remains to be seen. However there is no need to let him go for a second round pick. The thunder will make enough money off a playoff appearances to buy a second round pick or two and have cash left over and the remote possibility of a sign and trade with Gallo.

The organization probably values adams more than they should. They were trying to get Buddy Hield for him this summer. That's a bit steep imo however there is no basis to think he'll be viewed as a salary dump. However not that he's gotten healthy, he's played really well.

Schroder is a guy whose value is the least clear, imo. If OKC could save on his salary for next year and come away with a second round pick, I would probably consider that a huge win. That being said, he's been playing really good. I say that as someone who has really disliked most of his tenure in okc.

[jambalaya]

Bazley has shot horribly in last 10 games. Give Hervey some run.

[Balkman32]

Do you guys want Playoffs or trade Adams, Schröder and Gallo and get assets? I know what I'd go for but just trying to feel what the fans are after

I want the playoffs this year. If these guys can keep it up, this team is going to be a thorn in someone's side in the first round.

The worst that can happen outside of an injury is that Gallo walks away for nothing, but I don't see that happening since there aren't many team with projected cap space in 2020.

[Balkman32]

Has anyone heard anything about Roberson. As we get closer to the deadline and we cement our place in the playoffs, I wonder if we would flip Roberson + a small asset for a guy that could help this year.

If so, what would you want in a returning player?

[OhCanada1091]

Bazley has shot horribly in last 10 games. Give Hervey some run.

Raptors fan here. Im curious to know what OKC fans opinions are on Bazley and Ferguson. Overall are they actually making an impact or are they strictly getting minutes for development purposes. And if so where will the development lead to. Would you guys rather Nader, Dort, Burton or Hervey get those minutes? Diallo finally got some minutes before he got injured.

Im asking because Toronto has our own T.Ferguson now with Patrick Mccaw. He plays 30 minutes a game and literally has no impact on the game at all. Its hard to watch.

[1bigfan13]

Bazley has shot horribly in last 10 games. Give Hervey some run.

Raptors fan here. Im curious to know what OKC fans opinions are on Bazley and Ferguson. Overall are they actually making an impact or are they strictly getting minutes for development purposes. And if so where will the development lead to. Would you guys rather Nader, Dort, Burton or Hervey get those minutes? Diallo finally got some minutes before he got injured.

Im asking because Toronto has our own T.Ferguson now with Patrick Mccaw. He plays 30 minutes a game and literally has no impact on the game at all. Its hard to watch.

I've given up on Ferguson. This is his 3rd year, he's been in the regular rotation the past two, and the development on the offensive end just isn't there. He's still a 5 ppg scorer who's not nearly aggressive enough on the offensive end. He plays solid defense but we need wing players who contribute on both ends of the floor.

Bazley hasn't made much of an impact either but he's a rookie so the inconsistent play was expected. He's getting a lot of playing time recently due to Gallinari's injury. He seems to be a more aggressive and willing to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket than Ferguson.

I'd rather see Nader take Ferguson's minutes. He's a better shooter and has a better basketball body.

[1bigfan13]

So apparently that gap between SGA and Marquis Daniels is wider than I thought. LOL

The kid has been fantastic the last 5 games. Before this recent 5 game stretch dating back to mid-November he'd been in a slump. He's finally pulled out of it and the shots are starting to fall again.

[ThunderBolt]

Bazley has shot horribly in last 10 games. Give Hervey some run.

Raptors fan here. Im curious to know what OKC fans opinions are on Bazley and Ferguson. Overall are they actually making an impact or are they strictly getting minutes for development purposes. And if so where will the development lead to. Would you guys rather Nader, Dort, Burton or Hervey get those minutes? Diallo finally got some minutes before he got injured.

Im asking because Toronto has our own T.Ferguson now with Patrick Mccaw. He plays 30 minutes a game and literally has no impact on the game at all. Its hard to watch.

Ferguson’s impact with the starters hasn’t been good. At times he’s good defensively but he’s still too thin and this results in getting pushed around. He talked about getting stronger in the offseason but when he was asked how much weight he actually put on, he refused to answer. He’s been a capable three point shooter so far but very streaky. I had hoped for more of a leap starting this year.

Bazley is pretty bad offensively right now. He does some nice things defensively. He’s a good ball handler and rebounder. Way too early to know anything about his future.

Dort and Diallo are both deserving of minutes. I’ve not seen Hervey so I don’t know. Burton and Nader aren’t very good and they are old. They won’t get any better.

[ThunderBolt]

So apparently that gap between SGA and Marquis Daniels is wider than I thought. LOL

The kid has been fantastic the last 5 games. Before this recent 5 game stretch dating back to mid-November he'd been in a slump. He's finally pulled out of it and the shots are starting to fall again.

Just part of the ups and downs of growing pains. I’m sure we’ll see more of them. I was most encouraged by two big steals and a tipped pass in the fourth quarter. He won’t be Andre Roberson but he has the length so cause problems defensively. Also, for someone who hesitates on wide open threes, his step back is surprisingly pretty sweet.

[spearsy23]

I still think Ferguson can be a player in the league. Can't be in a situation where he's asked to do anything with the ball in his hands, needs structure to know where he needs to be and where to move the ball to, and doesn't have positional versatility on the wing, but he can defend 2s at an above average level and hit 3s which means a team should be able to find a spot for him if the situation is right.

[ThunderBolt]

I still think Ferguson can be a player in the league. Can't be in a situation where he's asked to do anything with the ball in his hands, needs structure to know where he needs to be and where to move the ball to, and doesn't have positional versatility on the wing, but he can defend 2s at an above average level and hit 3s which means a team should be able to find a spot for him if the situation is right.

I do too but at what point does the investment become too great for the return? He’s been given a lot of opportunity the last two years and is still so limited. We don’t really have a ton of great young talent on the roster but if someone like Diallo comes back and plays well, I’m ok with him cutting in to Ferguson’s minutes. I think Ferguson probably shouldn’t play with the bench units until Dennis is moved otherwise he’ll just be ignored and struggle more. Once shai and cp3 can stagger minutes at the point, he might fit better.

[spearsy23]

I still think Ferguson can be a player in the league. Can't be in a situation where he's asked to do anything with the ball in his hands, needs structure to know where he needs to be and where to move the ball to, and doesn't have positional versatility on the wing, but he can defend 2s at an above average level and hit 3s which means a team should be able to find a spot for him if the situation is right.

I do too but at what point does the investment become too great for the return? He’s been given a lot of opportunity the last two years and is still so limited. We don’t really have a ton of great young talent on the roster but if someone like Diallo comes back and plays well, I’m ok with him cutting in to Ferguson’s minutes. I think Ferguson probably shouldn’t play with the bench units until Dennis is moved otherwise he’ll just be ignored and struggle more. Once shai and cp3 can stagger minutes at the point, he might fit better.

Yeah, I don't think this situation is ever going to be right for him. Donovan doesn't fit him, nobody on the team is ball dominant enough to overcome his weight offensively, his strengths aren't important on a building team. I'm ready to move on, but I think it's more about fit than talent.

[ThunderBolt]

I still think Ferguson can be a player in the league. Can't be in a situation where he's asked to do anything with the ball in his hands, needs structure to know where he needs to be and where to move the ball to, and doesn't have positional versatility on the wing, but he can defend 2s at an above average level and hit 3s which means a team should be able to find a spot for him if the situation is right.

I do too but at what point does the investment become too great for the return? He’s been given a lot of opportunity the last two years and is still so limited. We don’t really have a ton of great young talent on the roster but if someone like Diallo comes back and plays well, I’m ok with him cutting in to Ferguson’s minutes. I think Ferguson probably shouldn’t play with the bench units until Dennis is moved otherwise he’ll just be ignored and struggle more. Once shai and cp3 can stagger minutes at the point, he might fit better.

Yeah, I don't think this situation is ever going to be right for him. Donovan doesn't fit him, nobody on the team is ball dominant enough to overcome his weight offensively, his strengths aren't important on a building team. I'm ready to move on, but I think it's more about fit than talent.

As long as we don’t give him an absurd contract, I’m ok with keeping him. Also don’t mind if he’s used in a trade alongside one of the other guys we try to move at the deadline. Let’s say a team is interested in cp3. They are likely to need to involve multiple players to make salary match. If a GM is smart, Ferguson could be a guy that makes a deal more palatable for depth that would be lost.

[ThunderBolt]

http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/position/1