2017-2018 OKC Thunder Regular Season Thread Part Deux: Follow the Melo Brick Road

[bondom34]

Still praying Kawhi returns and there's a 1 vs 8 upset with the Spurs

[getrichordie]

http://es.pn/2HC8sQghttp://es.pn/2HC8sQg

Engelmann is projecting an OKC-POR matchup for the playoffs with OKC being the 6 seed. I will be glued to my seat for that matchup.


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[bondom34]

Wow it's crazy that Russ has become way underrated now Just reading the GB and it's a disgrace some of the comments and how misinformed they are.

[Pillendreher]

Btw: This is why all of these games vs seeding rivals tso much. If we had one the last game vs the Blazers, we'd be 0 games behind them. Now it's 2.

[Pillendreher]

This is kind of crazy: 70 games into the season, we've managed to be above average both offensively and defensively in the same game only 14 times. Recent years:

2012/2013: 36 out of 82 games
2015/2016: 33 out of 82 games
2016/2017: 23 out of 82 games

We can score and we can defend, but somehow we can't do both at the same time.

EDIT:

Top 10 per SRS:

HOU: 35 out of 68
TOR: 23 out of 68
GSW: 30 out of 68
BOS: 21 out of 68
UTA: 20 out of 69
OKC: 14 out of 70
MIN: 22 out of 69
SAS: 14 out of 69
PHI: 23 out of 67
POR: 13 out of 68

[Pillendreher]

Read on Twitter

4. Jerami Grant, utility man

A year ago, there was much fretting about whether Grant could approach competency from 3-point range. The Oklahoma City Thunder have gone the other way. Grant's 3-point rate is way down, and 56 percent of his shots have come within the restricted area -- by far a career high.

Oklahoma City has turned Grant from a wannabe wing into a screen-setting backup center. He is setting 34 picks per 100 possessions this season, more than quadruple his rate from 2016-17, per Second Spectrum tracking data. He has a knack for contorting his body through tight spaces, and coaxing in shots from odd, tilting release points:



He draws a ton of contract. Grant is flying elbows and flailing limbs, and his body moves in a staccato that throws defenders out of rhythm. On pick-and-roll plays when he is the screen setter and either finishes with a shot, draws a foul or makes a turnover, Grant is getting to the line 29.4 percent of the time -- the largest share in the league. He's shooting 62.5 percent out of that action, an elite mark.

When Grant sets picks, Patrick Patterson, his most frequent big man partner, spots up along the arc. When the Thunder shift Patterson into pick-and-pop mode, Grant lurks along the baseline for drop-off passes and violent put-back dunks.

He can switch across all five positions, and fit in lots of different lineups. He filled in for Steven Adams at center in a super-small lineup down the stretch Tuesday against Atlanta, and has spent time in Andre Roberson's starting slot in an ultra-big group.

Grant is an important part of a Thunder bench that has held up surprisingly well at times given the, umm, talent involved. Oklahoma City is net-neutral -- literally, tied -- in 353 minutes they have played without any of Westbrook, Anthony and George, per NBA.com. (Note to Billy Donovan: This remains a bad idea.) George serves as the lone starter propping up Westbrook-less second units, and since Jan. 1, those lineups with Grant and George have outscored opponents by about a point per 100 possessions -- a huge victory, given how bad the Thunder had been without Westbrook.

Grant was one of the few guys who made sense for a contract extension before the season, but the two sides don't appear to have gotten close. Grant will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He is playing well at the right time.

[Pillendreher]

I still think that these splits are insane. This is per cleaningtheglass:



We'll have to see how this Brewer thing goes, but this is quite astonishing. Robes' defensive impact is very obvious and his # are also impacted by our very slow start to the season (offensively), but I think this kinda shows the kind of player we need to have to work with the rest of the squad: Somebody who can hold his own defensively, moves into space offensively and doesn't really need to get touches to be contributor overall.

[Dn4sty]

Read on Twitter

?s=21

The NBA referees look really really bad on this one

[Andre Roberstan]

I still think that these splits are insane. This is per cleaningtheglass:



We'll have to see how this Brewer thing goes, but this is quite astonishing. Robes' defensive impact is very obvious and his # are also impacted by our very slow start to the season (offensively), but I think this kinda shows the kind of player we need to have to work with the rest of the squad: Somebody who can hold his own defensively, moves into space offensively and doesn't really need to get touches to be contributor overall.

Nwaba and Harkless are two guys who fit this bill and might be attainable. Also basically half the wings on GSW.

http://stats.nba.com/players/cut/?CF=Time*GE*10:GP*GE*40:PossG*GE*.5&sort=PPP&dir=1

This list is like 99% big men.

[ThunderBolt]

I still think that these splits are insane. This is per cleaningtheglass:



We'll have to see how this Brewer thing goes, but this is quite astonishing. Robes' defensive impact is very obvious and his # are also impacted by our very slow start to the season (offensively), but I think this kinda shows the kind of player we need to have to work with the rest of the squad: Somebody who can hold his own defensively, moves into space offensively and doesn't really need to get touches to be contributor overall.

Nwaba and Harkless are two guys who fit this bill and might be attainable. Also basically half the wings on GSW.

http://stats.nba.com/players/cut/?CF=Time*GE*10:GP*GE*40:PossG*GE*.5&sort=PPP&dir=1

This list is like 99% big men.

How could OKC afford Harkless and also give Portland something they would want. They might be worse off financially than us.

[Andre Roberstan]

Turner Harkless Swanigan for Melo who says no

[ThunderBolt]

Turner Harkless Swanigan for Melo who says no

Melo.

[wco81]

Does the No Trade Clause still apply if he opts into the last year?

[Andre Roberstan]

Does the No Trade Clause still apply if he opts into the last year?

Yeah, that ETO he has (think it's an ETO, not an option) is still considered part of the same contract.

[Andre Roberstan]

Turner Harkless Swanigan for Melo who says no

(This was facetious, in case it wasn't obvious)

[Pillendreher]

+9.3 NetRtG with Russ off the floor in 121 minutes over the last 10 games
+8.7 NetRtG with Felton on the floor and both Russ and Melo off the floor in 180 minutes over the last 15 games.

The bench really has been excellent lately.

PS:

Read on Twitter

I appreciate this coming from Donovan, but at the same time, I really hate this overextending of George: He played like 16 minutes straight to start the game and then wasn't on the court until the 5 minute mark in the 4th quarter because of all of those minutes. We can't have him riding the bench when important games come down to the wire.

[Pillendreher]

Since Brewer became a starter, we're averaging 14.8 deflections per game, have an opp TOV% of 16.1 and average 17.1 fast break points per 100 possessions.
Up until the Roberson injury, those numbers were 19.0 deflections per game, 16.6 opp TOV% and 14.3 fast break points per 100 possessions.

The thing with Brewer tho is it's not just playing fast. Melo is shooting like 47 % from 3 since Brewer became a starter. Brewer shooting 40+ %. That is doing wonders for our offense.

[hardenASG13]

So, trying not to gloat here, but it's getting pretty hard (plus all you Roberson junkies were on such a high horse comparing him statistically to abrines, huestis, and ferguson).

Things I've been right about this year (that almost all you strongly opposed, almost as if you weren't fans of okc or didn't understand basketball beyond posting stats)

1) Grant would improve. He has. He was basically a rookie last year. News for you, too....hes probably not done improving. He'll cost $$$ though.

2) the team is good, top 5 in the league good. Maybe top 3, as they are better than all the teams in the east imo, as their top tier talent is a step above any of them (and cleveland is a mess beyond lebron).They were coasting early on. They know it's all about the playoffs, and are built for such. The Roberson injury stinks for depth, but they still have a punchers chance. Was clear they would turn it up after the all star break. Veteran team, elite superstar, with Paul George, Carmelo Anthony and adams by his side. If you doubted that, I feel sorry for you....its not going to get much better as a team from OKC. Kevin Durants don't grow on trees.

3) this one is so sweet. My argument all along Re: Roberson: He could be replaced by almost any competent 2 guard in the league, and that guard and the team would thrive. Cory brewer ladies and gentleman! You all would've pointed to his stats and said I was crazy if I told you he'd be more than serviceable replacement. He's been great, the teams looked great, instantly. He's thriving with the easy role of shoot open shots, and cut when your open, as I've been trying to tell you any NBA caliber 2 guard would on this team. It's such an easy spot. Also nice that he can dribble a ball too. Everyone is benefiting as I've told you they would, the floor is spaced, lanes are open, shots are easier.

Things I was wrong about: abrines didn't take a step up.

Still time for you guys to realize this team is good though. I don't think they will get that lottery ball, unfortunately. Roberson has instantly been replaced, and surpassed, by a guy who couldn't be more of an average NBA player. It's been seamless. Go thunder!

[Dn4sty]

So, trying not to gloat here, but it's getting pretty hard (plus all you Roberson junkies were on such a high horse comparing him statistically to abrines, huestis, and ferguson).

Things I've been right about this year (that almost all you strongly opposed, almost as if you weren't fans of okc or didn't understand basketball beyond posting stats)

1) Grant would improve. He has. He was basically a rookie last year. News for you, too....hes probably not done improving. He'll cost $$$ though.

2) the team is good, top 5 in the league good. Maybe top 3, as they are better than all the teams in the east imo, as their top tier talent is a step above any of them (and cleveland is a mess beyond lebron).They were coasting early on. They know it's all about the playoffs, and are built for such. The Roberson injury stinks for depth, but they still have a punchers chance. Was clear they would turn it up after the all star break. Veteran team, elite superstar, with Paul George, Carmelo Anthony and adams by his side. If you doubted that, I feel sorry for you....its not going to get much better as a team from OKC. Kevin Durants don't grow on trees.

3) this one is so sweet. My argument all along Re: Roberson: He could be replaced by almost any competent 2 guard in the league, and that guard and the team would thrive. Cory brewer ladies and gentleman! You all would've pointed to his stats and said I was crazy if I told you he'd be more than serviceable replacement. He's been great, the teams looked great, instantly. He's thriving with the easy role of shoot open shots, and cut when your open, as I've been trying to tell you any NBA caliber 2 guard would on this team. It's such an easy spot. Also nice that he can dribble a ball too. Everyone is benefiting as I've told you they would, the floor is spaced, lanes are open, shots are easier.

Things I was wrong about: abrines didn't take a step up.

Still time for you guys to realize this team is good though. I don't think they will get that lottery ball, unfortunately. Roberson has instantly been replaced, and surpassed, by a guy who couldn't be more of an average NBA player. It's been seamless. Go thunder!

Not worth a super long response. I’ll just say that while you have some points (Grant and Abrines), I don’t for a minute share your thoughts about Roberson regardless of how good Brewer has been.

[hardenASG13]

So, trying not to gloat here, but it's getting pretty hard (plus all you Roberson junkies were on such a high horse comparing him statistically to abrines, huestis, and ferguson).

Things I've been right about this year (that almost all you strongly opposed, almost as if you weren't fans of okc or didn't understand basketball beyond posting stats)

1) Grant would improve. He has. He was basically a rookie last year. News for you, too....hes probably not done improving. He'll cost $$$ though.

2) the team is good, top 5 in the league good. Maybe top 3, as they are better than all the teams in the east imo, as their top tier talent is a step above any of them (and cleveland is a mess beyond lebron).They were coasting early on. They know it's all about the playoffs, and are built for such. The Roberson injury stinks for depth, but they still have a punchers chance. Was clear they would turn it up after the all star break. Veteran team, elite superstar, with Paul George, Carmelo Anthony and adams by his side. If you doubted that, I feel sorry for you....its not going to get much better as a team from OKC. Kevin Durants don't grow on trees.

3) this one is so sweet. My argument all along Re: Roberson: He could be replaced by almost any competent 2 guard in the league, and that guard and the team would thrive. Cory brewer ladies and gentleman! You all would've pointed to his stats and said I was crazy if I told you he'd be more than serviceable replacement. He's been great, the teams looked great, instantly. He's thriving with the easy role of shoot open shots, and cut when your open, as I've been trying to tell you any NBA caliber 2 guard would on this team. It's such an easy spot. Also nice that he can dribble a ball too. Everyone is benefiting as I've told you they would, the floor is spaced, lanes are open, shots are easier.

Things I was wrong about: abrines didn't take a step up.

Still time for you guys to realize this team is good though. I don't think they will get that lottery ball, unfortunately. Roberson has instantly been replaced, and surpassed, by a guy who couldn't be more of an average NBA player. It's been seamless. Go thunder!

Not worth a super long response. I’ll just say that while you have some points (Grant and Abrines), I don’t for a minute share your thoughts about Roberson regardless of how good Brewer has been.

I'll give you this. Since he finally gave up on shooting 3s this year, Roberson backing up brewer would've been great to have going into the playoffs for 15 min a night. They will have to settle for the abrines/huestis/ferguson trio for spot minutes tho. I could see abrines getting hot for a playoff run.