Thunderous Intentions
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Views from OKC: Thunder up/down reports going into final stretch

By Tony Heim

Mar 7, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Abrines (8) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Abrines (8) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook during his normal pregame routine. Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Views from OKC is a daily diary about the current state of the OKC Thunder. Today we take a look at the roster, giving out some “ups” and “downs” to the team.

I’m really excited for this “up/down” segment. It sucks that I just came up with it as the season is coming to an end but that’s okay. There’s always next year right?

For now we’ll do it today, and maybe one more time going into the playoffs. Or maybe it will be a bi-weekly thing. I don’t know. Just know this is not the last time you’ll be getting an “up/down” report on this team.

Let’s get started.

Actually let’s not – I need to explain the up/down formula. Luckily it’s pretty simple. If I like what I’m seeing from a player, I give him the vaunted “Up.” If they are playing poorly with no signs of turning it around they get a “Down.” If it’s in the middle I’ll make something up.

Now let’s get started.

The starters

Steven Adams: Down. Adams has been off the past few games; he hasn’t been as physical on defense nor as active on the offensive end. In fact, this month Adams has taken double-digits shots exactly once. Here’s why that can’t happen.

Taj Gibson: Slightly Up. I love what Taj Gibson brings to the starting unit and I seriously hope they re-sign him. But I need some consistency from Gibson. He can’t shoot 17 shots against the Nets then two games later take 3 attempts against the Kings. Billy Donovan needs to use him in the pick & roll more with Victor Oladipo to create another element to OKC’s predictable offense.

Victor Oladipo: Up. The astronomical shooting percentages weren’t going to continue, but Oladipo’s effectiveness has been tied to other areas of the game. His defense has taken a step up as he’s played with more energy and aggressiveness. Now it’s just a matter of playing like this the rest of the season.

Related Story: An open letter to the new and improved Victor Oladipo

Andre Roberson: Up. I will never say a negative word about the Lowkey MVP. Okay I definitely have, but in general Roberson does not get enough credit from us fans. Plus his offensive game has magically evolved into a true slasher the past five games. Like Oladipo, it’s about continuing that type of play though.

Russell Westbrook: Up. I’m not wasting words.

The bench

Alex Abrines: Down. Abrines shot has been off recently but I’m not discrediting him for that; that’s the life of a shooter. The problem is he hasn’t improved his defense enough to justify giving him playoff minutes yet he still plays over Doug McBuckets. More on that soon.

Semaj Christon: UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP. There’s been a great deal of Backwards James talk on Thunderous Intentions lately so I’ll spare the extra words. Just know this: the pesky point guard is the perfect backup to Russ.

Enes Kanter: Meh. By now we know what we are going to get from Kanter every night. He’s going to score some points, grab some rebounds and yell at nobody in particular. If Kanter was born in the 60’s he’d probably be an all-star but the modern NBA just isn’t fit for his game.

More from Thunderous Intentions

Doug McDermott: Confused. Why isn’t McDermott playing over Abrines? He’s got two years of experience on the rookie, more offensive weapons in his arsenal AND his body is better suited for the league at this point. McDermott may be a Black Hole on defense, but he isn’t worse than Abrines. Play the man Billy D, he’s going to be so important come playoff time.

Domantas Sabonis: Up. Moving Domas to the bench finally lit a fire under the rookie’s butt. Sabonis needed this. He needed some adversity; continuing to start the rookie when he was playing poorly didn’t teach Domas anything. Now he’s learned that nothing is given in the NBA, that he actually has to show up night in and night out to earn a starting spot.

PS If you want my recent thoughts on Nick Collison and Jerami Grant I discussed those two in yesterday’s Views.

PPS What interesting analysis can I really provide about Norris Cole, Josh Huestis and Kyle Singler?

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