Billy Donovan Should Change His Starting Lineup

In light of Kevin Durant‘s injury, it brings even more questions to the table about Coach Donovan’s rotations in the lineup. What is the most efficient starting lineup for this team? Is there a starter who should come off the bench? Is there a bench player who should start? And whats going on with Coach Donovan and Anthony Morrow?

It was announced yesterday via Sam Presti that Kevin Durant will miss the next 7 to 10 days at least with a strained left hamstring. Now, before we freak out, call the season over, and lose all hope of a title run, let me offer a positive within this negative. First off, the upcoming schedule for Oklahoma City is moderately favorable. Among the tougher teams will be Boston, Memphis, and New York, all 3 of which are below 500 on the season with Memphis being the biggest surprise at 3-6. Which means, with Kevin Durant out; Coach Donovan will have the opportunity to experiment even more with the lineups. There might be a hidden lineup that we have yet to see that could really make this team a top notch team on both ends of the floor.

As I’ve stated many times via twitter, facebook, or just walking around Oklahoma City screaming at whoever will listen, Enes Kanter needs to get the ball in the post. When Kanter is on the floor with the second unit, hes not getting the ball in the pick-and-roll setting. Kanter does a great job fighting for rebounds and put backs and even getting some and-1 opportunities. But, D.J. Augustin doesn’t get Kanter the ball in the post off of a pick-and-roll. Dion Waiters gets a majority of the shots on the second unit. Which isn’t always a bad thing, Waiters is shooting 48% from the floor, and he’s 52% percent from 3. This is by far the most impressive that he has looked in his career. He’s averaging a 2.3 on his offensive +/- for the first time in his career. So, by those numbers you give him the green light with shooting. However, you have to get other players involved. Unless you have defensive players on the floor with you.

If you look at Andre Roberson, (Shawn Woods don’t hate me) he has under performed this season. Yeah, his 3-point percentage is up to 35%, which is nice and he’s finishing in the open floor more; But, his defense is still overrated and there’s numbers to confirm that. Roberson’s defensive +/- is -0.4 which makes him about an average defender. He’s not shutting players down and making the opposition change how they attack the Thunder defense. In the per 100 possessions category, Andre Roberson is allowing 100 points per 100 possessions. Which means 1 out of every 2 plays someone is scoring on Andre Roberson. Offensively, Andre Roberson is not the most dynamic piece to the Thunder’s offense. With Westbrook and Durant on the floor there’s no need for him to be. Roberson can space the floor and allow KD and Russ to operate in the offense. In theory, this can also be applied with Dion Waiters.

The second unit has some defensive struggles, and its more than noticeable. So, why not try to bridge the gap on the defensive side of the ball. Move Kanter and Morrow into the starting lineup. Then, you have Roberson and Adams to help the second unit defensively while Waiters and Augustin can still score the ball maintaining a consistent flow of the game. Now, with Kanter and Morrow in the starting lineup, you lose some defensive pressure. however, Serge can maintain the paint and Durant can switch on tougher more elite scoring options. (once he returns) Not only that, but, Westbrook and Kanter can revisit the pick-and-roll offense that they had last season. Thus adding more of an offensive mindset to this team. Oklahoma City can outscore any team in the league, they have too many weapons. It’s when the second unit is in that teams come back and close the gap making the game respectable. So, why not combat that by adjusting the lineup and see if you can maintain offensive rhythm and defensive pressure with both units?

It will be interesting to see who Coach Donovan starts friday versus the 76ers. I am sure most people are with me in hoping its not Kyle Singler. He belongs on the second unit with Dion, D.J., Adams, and Roberson. This way, you have scoring and defense on the second unit where you clearly need it them most. However, we could very well see Singler in the starting lineup.

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