2018-2019 OKC Thunder Regular Season Pt 1: A Renewed Hope

[getrichordie]

Ferguson 31.5 3p% > Abrines 31.4 3p%

Yeah. Abrines is expendable. I think his game would fit in better on other teams. Namely teams that value offense more than defense.

That doesn't make much sense. It's not like he's glued to the bench because of his defense even though he's making 3s. He's getting minutes, but he's bricking everey shot save for one outburst every two or three weeks.

I would just argue that Abrines doesn’t fit with our bench. He gets too much defensive attention to be effective because Patterson sucks and Diallo can’t shoot and Schroder isn’t a huge threat from 3.


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[ThunderBolt]

Yeah. Abrines is expendable. I think his game would fit in better on other teams. Namely teams that value offense more than defense.

That doesn't make much sense. It's not like he's glued to the bench because of his defense even though he's making 3s. He's getting minutes, but he's bricking everey shot save for one outburst every two or three weeks.

I would just argue that Abrines doesn’t fit with our bench. He gets too much defensive attention to be effective because Patterson sucks and Diallo can’t shoot and Schroder isn’t a huge threat from 3.


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Our bench needs shooting. Abrines is the only shooter so defenses focus on that. Therefore, he doesn’t fit?

[getrichordie]

That doesn't make much sense. It's not like he's glued to the bench because of his defense even though he's making 3s. He's getting minutes, but he's bricking everey shot save for one outburst every two or three weeks.

I would just argue that Abrines doesn’t fit with our bench. He gets too much defensive attention to be effective because Patterson sucks and Diallo can’t shoot and Schroder isn’t a huge threat from 3.


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Our bench needs shooting. Abrines is the only shooter so defenses focus on that. Therefore, he doesn’t fit?

I’m just saying that his strengths aren’t exactly maximized in that role. Not saying he hurts the bench. It’s just not the BEST fit for him.


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[Pillendreher]

Read on Twitter

The team has actually been quite consistent after the rough start.

[bondom34]

Still do Schroder for KCP. Find a free agent PG.

I'm not seeing this. KCP is average and Schroder has been very good.

I think you can find a decent backup PG easier than a decent SG. And KCP's expiring.

[spearsy23]

Still do Schroder for KCP. Find a free agent PG.

I'm not seeing this. KCP is average and Schroder has been very good.

I think you can find a decent backup PG easier than a decent SG. And KCP's expiring.

I have concerns from a team building standpoint when trading schroder an expiring. If we assume ownership continues to pay the tax until PG/Russ are no longer capable then you're unable to add that 15 million in salary back onto the payroll if you trade for an expiring without bird rights.

[Old Man Game]

I just don't think much of Caldwell Pope. I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong.

[bondom34]

I'm not seeing this. KCP is average and Schroder has been very good.

I think you can find a decent backup PG easier than a decent SG. And KCP's expiring.

I have concerns from a team building standpoint when trading schroder an expiring. If we assume ownership continues to pay the tax until PG/Russ are no longer capable then you're unable to add that 15 million in salary back onto the payroll if you trade for an expiring without bird rights.

I'd agree with this mostly. I also am probably a bigger KCP fan than most, and not as much a Schroder believer

[ThunderBolt]

Well, the run was fun while it lasted. I worried that the pelicans game was foreshadowing of things to come and nothing in the nuggets game dispelled that. I would imagine we will play well at home but the team we saw on the road the last two games will likely reappear too. When I watch this team play, sometimes I really look forward to a new era of thunder basketball.

[Pillendreher]

Something needs to be done about the bench play. There is no sign whatsoever of Abrines and Patterson getting it back together. In fact it's only gotten worse as the season went on:



League average for comparable volume 3PT shooters is 51.8 eFG% btw. Both Abrines and Patterson are currently on pace for two of the 50 worst shooting seasons ever for volume 3pt shooters. As of right now Patterson would have the 6th worst eFG% in the 3pt era among guys who take at least eight 3s per 100 possessions and Abrines would have the 47th worst.

[Old Man Game]

Well, the run was fun while it lasted. I worried that the pelicans game was foreshadowing of things to come and nothing in the nuggets game dispelled that. I would imagine we will play well at home but the team we saw on the road the last two games will likely reappear too. When I watch this team play, sometimes I really look forward to a new era of thunder basketball.

It's all Westbrook. He can't defend. He can't shoot, not even from the line. Defenses are scheming to disrupt his drives and they know his shooting, neither from the 3 pt line nor the foul line is good enough to offset it. He's left trying to make simple passes to roll men with the lane clogged or flinging it out to shooters, most of whom other than George can't consistently make anything.

TL:DR? Russ is **** right now.

[Old Man Game]

Also, it is embarrassing for Westbrook to get into little skirmishes like he did in the Denver game. We're clearly about to lose so he wants to bow up and act like a tough guy. I wish the ref and just tossed him immediately instead of wasting everyone's time with that review thing. What a petulant child he is at times.

[ThunderBolt]

Also, it is embarrassing for Westbrook to get into little skirmishes like he did in the Denver game. We're clearly about to lose so he wants to bow up and act like a tough guy. I wish the ref and just tossed him immediately instead of wasting everyone's time with that review thing. What a petulant child he is at times.

Yea it really is embarrassing. Dennis just stood there looking like, “are we really gonna do this?”

[Patches Perry]

Well, the run was fun while it lasted. I worried that the pelicans game was foreshadowing of things to come and nothing in the nuggets game dispelled that. I would imagine we will play well at home but the team we saw on the road the last two games will likely reappear too. When I watch this team play, sometimes I really look forward to a new era of thunder basketball.

You're never as good as you think you are when you're winning, and you're never as bad as you think you are when you're losing. One of the great truths of long NBA regular seasons.

Despite all of Westbrook's struggles, the game was lost last night with poor free throwing shooting and the defense getting run out of the gym in the 1st quarter (altitude?). They left 12 free throws on the board, and gave up 39 points in the 1st quarter. For reference, they only gave up 21, 22, 27 in the quarters to follow. Maybe Denver was just hot in the 1st quarter, maybe the altitude was an issue, or maybe the Thunder just laid an egg.

[ThunderBolt]

Well, the run was fun while it lasted. I worried that the pelicans game was foreshadowing of things to come and nothing in the nuggets game dispelled that. I would imagine we will play well at home but the team we saw on the road the last two games will likely reappear too. When I watch this team play, sometimes I really look forward to a new era of thunder basketball.

You're never as good as you think you are when you're winning, and you're never as bad as you think you are when you're losing. One of the great truths of long NBA regular seasons.

Despite all of Westbrook's struggles, the game was lost last night with poor free throwing shooting and the defense getting run out of the gym in the 1st quarter (altitude?). They left 12 free throws on the board, and gave up 39 points in the 1st quarter. For reference, they only gave up 21, 22, 27 in the quarters to follow. Maybe Denver was just hot in the 1st quarter, maybe the altitude was an issue, or maybe the Thunder just laid an egg.

I tend to agree about not overreact too much to one win or loss. Maybe we just laid an egg but we’ve been very fertile recently. We’ve now lot 3 of 4 and probably should have been 4 of 5. The west is tight enough that this kind of a slack can take you from the top of the standings to out of the playoffs very quickly.

[ThunderBolt]

So for those that say Dononvan gets credit for the improved defense, I say fine. He also deserves some heat for the performance of the bench. Unless we want to say that now the thunder have two players that are completely unchoachable, Russ and Dennis.

[getrichordie]

So for those that say Dononvan gets credit for the improved defense, I say fine. He also deserves some heat for the performance of the bench. Unless we want to say that now the thunder have two players that are completely unchoachable, Russ and Dennis.

I’m going to disagree here. Dennis hasn’t looked great as of recent but better teams are game-planning for Dennis off the bench and he can’t find room because no one on the bench outside of Abrines and Dennis can hit shots and everything Noel does on offense is predicated on what Dennis can do. The bench’s spacing is shrinking against better teams.


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[ThunderBolt]

So for those that say Dononvan gets credit for the improved defense, I say fine. He also deserves some heat for the performance of the bench. Unless we want to say that now the thunder have two players that are completely unchoachable, Russ and Dennis.

I’m going to disagree here. Dennis hasn’t looked great as of recent but better teams are game-planning for Dennis off the bench and he can’t find room because no one on the bench outside of Abrines and Dennis can hit shots and everything Noel does on offense is predicated on what Dennis can do. The bench’s spacing is shrinking against better teams.


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So other teams are game planning and Billy isn’t adjusting? You can’t have it both ways.

[getrichordie]

So for those that say Dononvan gets credit for the improved defense, I say fine. He also deserves some heat for the performance of the bench. Unless we want to say that now the thunder have two players that are completely unchoachable, Russ and Dennis.

I’m going to disagree here. Dennis hasn’t looked great as of recent but better teams are game-planning for Dennis off the bench and he can’t find room because no one on the bench outside of Abrines and Dennis can hit shots and everything Noel does on offense is predicated on what Dennis can do. The bench’s spacing is shrinking against better teams.


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So other teams are game planning and Billy isn’t adjusting? You can’t have it both ways.

What exactly should he be adjusting? You can only do so much adjusting. This team just needs more shooting, period.


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[ThunderBolt]

I’m going to disagree here. Dennis hasn’t looked great as of recent but better teams are game-planning for Dennis off the bench and he can’t find room because no one on the bench outside of Abrines and Dennis can hit shots and everything Noel does on offense is predicated on what Dennis can do. The bench’s spacing is shrinking against better teams.


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So other teams are game planning and Billy isn’t adjusting? You can’t have it both ways.

What exactly should he be adjusting? You can only do so much adjusting. This team just needs more shooting, period.


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It’s been well documented on here what the bench’s struggles are. Slick posted schroders assist to turnover ration. Abrines got one three point attempt last night. Dennis Schroder has become Enes Kanter of the bench unit, albeit better defensively.

Tbh I’m not really interested in discussing what Dononvan should be doing but more or less curious if those that want to give him credit for the teams’ success in some areas would be willing to admit that he’s fallen short in others. I think I see your answer. You can be a fan/supporter for a player and coach and still acknowledge their shortcomings. When you don’t do so it’s just blind homerism.

Example- Steven Adams is my favorite thunder player but he should have done a better job improving his free throw percentage by this point in his career.