Four questions for four writers, dissecting the Thunder’s early-season struggles and what’s at the root of those issues.
1. What’s an early-season trend that concerns you?
Erik Horne (beat writer) – Interior defense. We know Enes Kanter isn’t prime Ben Wallace in terms of protecting the paint, but he’s shown improvement this year. The collective hasn’t. The Thunder is giving up the third-most points in the paint per game in the league so far (49.3), and opponents are getting too many shots at the rim (league-high 35.5 attempts per game within 5 feet).
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Anthony Slater (beat writer) – There are a few. But how about this for an underrated problem – free throw attempts. The Thunder has two of the best attackers in the game. They get to line a ton and make a ton. It’s been a monster advantage for years. Since 2009, the Thunder has been top 10 in attempts every season, often top 3. But OKC ranks 21st right now, only shooting 22.3 per game, down from a typical 29 per game average. Meanwhile, the Thunder is fouling a ton. Opponents are averaging 26.5 attempts per game. It killed them in the Toronto loss. A historical advantage has become a disadvantage.
Jenni Carlson (columnist) – Turnovers. The Thunder was better in that department Thursday at Chicago, but geez, games of 18 or 20 and more have been common. And I blame the players. Maybe Billy Donovan could be doing something about it, but honestly, guys are being too careless with the ball. Possessions must be treasured in the NBA, and right now, the Thunder are giving away way too many of them.
Berry Tramel (columnist) – Unforced turnovers. If you lose the ball on a drive to the basket, or get called for an illegal screen, those things happen. But the wayward passes when there’s little pressure, the careless passes to no one, losing the ball when you foolishly go into traffic, those things have to stop. It was much better against Chicago, but the Thunder was awful against Houston and in the first half against Toronto.
2. What’s an early-season trend that’s been overblown?
Horne – Kyle Singler over Anthony Morrow. Billy Donovan is still tinkering and working to find his best lineups, so too early to fully place Morrow in the “doghouse.” Singler may have taken some of his minutes in the past few losses, but Morrow actually has played more total minutes this season. With 76 games left, Morrow is going to get called on.
Slater – The late-game offensive woes. Sure there’s been a bit more stagnation and isolation than you’d like. But it hasn’t been nearly as bad as it seems. Most of the looks against Toronto were fine. They just didn’t go down. They scored enough late in Chicago to win. They just couldn’t get a stop.
Carlson – Anthony Morrow not playing. I have to admit, I don’t get it. Kyle Singler is a decent defensive player, but Morrow is so much better on offense that the benefits of playing Singler just aren’t there. My guess is Donovan is trying to figure out rotations, who can do what, who he likes best in certain situations. Morrow’s not going to sit forever.
Tramel – The losses. Early losing streaks happen. In this part of the season, the WAY the Thunder plays is far important than the result. For example, the Thunder’s worst game of the year by far was at Orlando. A total lack of defense. Just ridiculous. Yet OKC won, it was dramatic (two overtimes), it was historic (Durant and Westbrook explosions) and it was a W. So everyone was happy.
3. Player who must step up?
Horne – Russell Westbrook. Sounds crazy to ask even more of Westbrook, who’s having by far the most efficient offensive season of his career. But his defense has been subpar through six games. Lots of lunging and gambling for steals, and as a result, it’s leaving the Thunder frontcourt exposed as guards are getting running starts at the rim.
Source: http://m.newsok.com/article/5458789
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