The Oklahoma City Thunder: A Tale of Two Teams

The Oklahoma City Thunder are fighting for a top-four playoff spot. While the task is daunting, it is possible.

Lately, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been on quite the tear. Winners of their last three games, the Thunder are looking more dynamic as each game goes by. The ball movement has been outstanding with the Thunder compiling 76 assists in their last three games. 30 of which came during the Brooklyn Nets game on Tuesday.  A game which broadcasted the Thunder as a legitimate threat in the Western Conference.

However, with the team that showed up in Brooklyn lies another Thunder team. The team that is the Mr. Hyde to the Dr. Jekyll of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder team that lost to the Portland Trailblazers at home, 126-121 earlier this month. This is the Thunder team that cannot make a postseason appearance.

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During the Thunder Trailblazers game, Russell Westbrook attempted 39 shots from the field. He also took nine three-point shots and 16 free throws. While Westbrooks performance was electric, it didn’t translate to a win. The supporting cast was flat and missing as only two players scored more than 10 points in that game.

The formula for success is simple, other players must make shots in order for the Thunder to be successful. On Tuesday Taj Gibson dropped 17 points, Victor Oladipo dropped 25, Alex Abrines had 13, and Enes Kanter poured in 17. In fact, the team was so mechanic that Westbrook only shot the ball 18 times.

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If the role players on this team can produce buckets early and often, taking the pressure off of Westbrook, this team is dangerous. Beating Brooklyn by a score of 122-104 with Westbrook only chipping in 25 points is outstanding. This should be the ultimate goal night in and night out for the Thunder. They must be able to beat opposing teams in multiple ways.

Certainly, Oladipo and Kanter remain forceful weapons for the Thunder. Abrines is continuously improving his shot throughout the season. However, with the acquisition of Gibson and Doug McDermott, the Thunder have up to five offensively gifted players capable of posting 10 or more every night.

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Therefore, Westbrook doesn’t have to take on the entire NBA alone. There’s a certain renegade vibe that Westbrook presents to the league as he attempts to embark on his historical season. I’ve said it all season long, Westbrook reminds me of a young Kobe Bryant. Westbrook will put this team on his shoulders and ride into the playoffs. The same way Kobe did during the years in between Shaquille O’Neal and Pau Gasol

If the Thunder can continue to elevate the assists and the pass-heavy style of play. They’ll be a dangerous foe in the Western Conference Playoffs. Currently, the Thunder would be matched up with the Houston Rockets for the first round. The Thunder will see the Rockets in Houston March 26th. The season series is 1-2 in favor of Houston.