20-21 OKC Thunder Regular Season News

Post #101 » by **ThunderBolt** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 11:20 pm

The athletic says the G-league bubble will start feb 8, will be 12-15 games at Disney world location. Okc blue is a participating team.

Old Man Game · Post #102 » by **Old Man Game** » Sat Jan 2, 2021 1:00 pm

The more I've considered Poku the more I've concluded that even if he doesn't get sent to the blue he probably still shouldn't be playing. As frail as he is you're just risking him getting physically crushed and mentally it's got to be totally demoralizing.

Sent from my moto g power using RealGM mobile app

Post #103 » by **ThunderBolt** » Sat Jan 2, 2021 1:29 pm

Old Man Game wrote:The more I've considered Poku the more I've concluded that even if he doesn't get sent to the blue he probably still shouldn't be playing. As frail as he is you're just risking him getting physically crushed and mentally it's got to be totally demoralizing.

Sent from my moto g power using RealGM mobile app

I guess he could technically go play in the bubble and still rejoin the team in the march. So it's not like a traditional year where it's easy to go back and forth from night to night.

I agree about with what you say but wonder about some other potential negatives of the g-league. The thing about he g-league is what makes it better for development than the NBA? He gets more minutes and experience but is it the kind that will help him? Is a team where he's the main guy who can shoot when he pleases really best for him? I get a little annoyed with him clapping for the ball like he's steph curry. I really have no knowledge of our coach, Grant Gibbs.

jake_swivel · Post #104 » by **jake_swivel** » Sat Jan 2, 2021 1:44 pm

ThunderBolt wrote:I get a little annoyed with him clapping for the ball like he's steph curry.

I noted that in the original Poku thread. The thing that is even more annoying (more so in the fiba games I saw) was him pointing on defense even though he was a terrible defender. I was trying not to be too down on him, but I legitimately didn’t like him. He was openly acting disgusted when his teammates messed up even though he messed up as well.

Post #105 » by **ThunderBolt** » Sat Jan 2, 2021 1:51 pm

jake_swivel wrote:
ThunderBolt wrote:I get a little annoyed with him clapping for the ball like he's steph curry.

I noted that in the original Poku thread. The thing that is even more annoying (more so in the fiba games I saw) was him pointing on defense even though he was a terrible defender. I was trying not to be too down on him, but I legitimately didn’t like him. He was openly acting disgusted when his teammates messed up even though he messed up as well.

That's one of the reasons I'm concerned about going to the g-league. I think learning his place on the team is also good for him but coach D needs to fix his body language. In addition to the ball clapping he's too visibly frustrated even if it's mostly at himself. He's probably a good kid that just wants to do well but he can't live and die with each possession.

Old Man Game · Post #106 » by **Old Man Game** » Sat Jan 2, 2021 10:42 pm

An aside, Alex Caruso had a great thought on life in the d league on Redick's podcast. Said it was like going to a job interview for some guys thinking they were interviewing to be COO of the company when really they are looking for someone to clean the bathrooms. Said there's guys trying to score thirty when the nba already had those guys and won't be looking for more of them in the D league.
Sort of outlines the basic disconnect for a lot of guys who D league it.
Sent from my moto g power using RealGM mobile app

spearsy23 · Post #107 » by **spearsy23** » Sun Jan 3, 2021 5:09 am

Old Man Game wrote:An aside, Alex Caruso had a great thought on life in the d league on Redick's podcast. Said it was like going to a job interview for some guys thinking they were interviewing to be COO of the company when really they are looking for someone to clean the bathrooms. Said there's guys trying to score thirty when the nba already had those guys and won't be looking for more of them in the D league.
Sort of outlines the basic disconnect for a lot of guys who D league it.
Sent from my moto g power using RealGM mobile app

This is what I've always thought. You're looking for a guy who excels in a specific role. Defensive specialist, three point shooter, 3 and d. Excel in your role, don't try to be a superstar

Post #108 » by **ThunderBolt** » Sun Jan 3, 2021 7:59 pm

Read on Twitter

Old Man Game · Post #109 » by **Old Man Game** » Mon Jan 4, 2021 4:17 am

Did you all know that Darius Bazley stared in a short documentary about his time at New Balance called "Gap Year" which is available for free on Amazon Prime?

https://geni.us/GapYear

Post #110 » by **ThunderBolt** » Mon Jan 4, 2021 12:39 pm

Old Man Game wrote:Did you all know that Darius Bazley stared in a short documentary about his time at New Balance called "Gap Year" which is available for free on Amazon Prime?

https://geni.us/GapYear

I heard about it but haven't seen it. Is it any good?

spearsy23 · Post #111 » by **spearsy23** » Mon Jan 4, 2021 6:27 pm

Interesting shot selection from shai so far. He's only taking one more shot per game over last year, but 2.5 more threes per night. Percentage of shots taken from 3 went up 15%. I don't think that's a good thing when his role is shifting to primary creator.

Post #112 » by **ThunderBolt** » Mon Jan 4, 2021 6:42 pm

spearsy23 wrote:Interesting shot selection from shai so far. He's only taking one more shot per game over last year, but 2.5 more threes per night. Percentage of shots taken from 3 went up 15%. I don't think that's a good thing when his role is shifting to primary creator.

Shai isn't a hard guy for opposing teams to scout. Just clog the lane until he proves he can knock down the open shot.

Old Man Game · Post #113 » by **Old Man Game** » Tue Jan 5, 2021 3:59 am

ThunderBolt wrote:
Old Man Game wrote:Did you all know that Darius Bazley stared in a short documentary about his time at New Balance called "Gap Year" which is available for free on Amazon Prime?

https://geni.us/GapYear

I heard about it but haven't seen it. Is it any good?

I haven't watched it yet but it looked decent from the trailer.

bbms · Post #114 » by **bbms** » Tue Jan 5, 2021 10:39 pm

First BPM data is out.

Pokusevski is the only Thunder above +1.00 DBPM. His length is disruptive and stats are already showing that. The downside is his atrocious -11.9 OBPM. It's hard to ignore how bad Pokusevski has been so far, but the substance of his potential as an NBA player is already showing up. Thunder already is a more disruptive defensive team with him on the floor.

One thing I never expected was Dort outplaying SGA. It's happening. Dort is way rawer than SGA in every aspect of his game but I can't see a big difference between them in terms of actual ability and long-term potential anymore.

bbms · Post #115 » by **bbms** » Tue Jan 5, 2021 10:45 pm

Old Man Game wrote:The more I've considered Poku the more I've concluded that even if he doesn't get sent to the blue he probably still shouldn't be playing. As frail as he is you're just risking him getting physically crushed and mentally it's got to be totally demoralizing.

Sent from my moto g power using RealGM mobile app

I agree. This 1000x. If he plays much more fans will start edit over the manynegative tapes and it might demoralize him in the long run.

Try to make your point in a less colorful way. Thanks
TB

Post #116 » by **Dadouv47** » Tue Jan 5, 2021 11:08 pm

bbms wrote:First BPM data is out.

Pokusevski is the only Thunder above +1.00 DBPM. His length is disruptive and stats are already showing that. The downside is his atrocious -11.9 OBPM. It's hard to ignore how bad Pokusevski has been so far, but the substance of his potential as an NBA player is already showing up. Thunder already is a more disruptive defensive team with him on the floor.

One thing I never expected was Dort outplaying SGA. It's happening. Dort is way rawer than SGA in every aspect of his game but I can't see a big difference between them in terms of actual ability and long-term potential anymore.

I'm really disappointed about SGA, feel skeptical about him being a good option 2 and wouldn't be mad if we find a good trade for him (depending on the return) but that's a bit crazy. Dort's ceiling is probably just a bit higher than SGA's current level (and that's being really optimistic about Dort)

Post #117 » by **ThunderBolt** » Tue Jan 5, 2021 11:30 pm

Dadouv47 wrote:
bbms wrote:First BPM data is out.

Pokusevski is the only Thunder above +1.00 DBPM. His length is disruptive and stats are already showing that. The downside is his atrocious -11.9 OBPM. It's hard to ignore how bad Pokusevski has been so far, but the substance of his potential as an NBA player is already showing up. Thunder already is a more disruptive defensive team with him on the floor.

One thing I never expected was Dort outplaying SGA. It's happening. Dort is way rawer than SGA in every aspect of his game but I can't see a big difference between them in terms of actual ability and long-term potential anymore.

I'm really disappointed about SGA, feel skeptical about him being a good option 2 and wouldn't be mad if we find a good trade for him (depending on the return) but that's a bit crazy. Dort's ceiling is probably just a bit higher than SGA's current level (and that's being really optimistic about Dort)

It’s been six games. And he has had some good performances.

spearsy23 · Post #118 » by **spearsy23** » Wed Jan 6, 2021 12:45 am

It turns out scoring thirty a game in the nba is really really ridiculously hard.

jake_swivel · Post #119 » by **jake_swivel** » Wed Jan 6, 2021 4:08 am

bbms wrote:First BPM data is out.

Pokusevski is the only Thunder above +1.00 DBPM. His length is disruptive and stats are already showing that. The downside is his atrocious -11.9 OBPM. It's hard to ignore how bad Pokusevski has been so far, but the substance of his potential as an NBA player is already showing up. Thunder already is a more disruptive defensive team with him on the floor.

Here’s the thing with poku’s defense. Yes, he’s long. He can block shots and get in passing lanes. That’s it. He can’t do anything else. His body control is the worst I’ve ever seen. Players are still shooting when he closes out instead of pump faking. He can’t stop on closeouts and the moment that’s on his scouting report, he’s done-for on defense. It’ll get worse before it gets better. If it ever does.

getrichordie · Post #120 » by **getrichordie** » Wed Jan 6, 2021 12:42 pm

bbms wrote:First BPM data is out.

Pokusevski is the only Thunder above +1.00 DBPM. His length is disruptive and stats are already showing that. The downside is his atrocious -11.9 OBPM. It's hard to ignore how bad Pokusevski has been so far, but the substance of his potential as an NBA player is already showing up. Thunder already is a more disruptive defensive team with him on the floor.

One thing I never expected was Dort outplaying SGA. It's happening. Dort is way rawer than SGA in every aspect of his game but I can't see a big difference between them in terms of actual ability and long-term potential anymore.

DBPM is a terrible stat to use. However, if we think Poku's defense is better than his offense at this point, that's a really good thing. My biggest concern for Poku's translation to the NBA level was how well he was going to be able to move laterally and if he would be able to keep up with guys on the perimeter. Not worried about his offense. I think it will come in time once he settles into his game and his role.