Thunder Player Report Cards: Starting Five
Jun 2, 2012; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) leads center Kendrick Perkins (5) and forward Kevin Durant (35) up-court in the final minutes of the game against the San Antonio Spurs in game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder beat the Spurs 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
We’re about 17 days past the last Thunder game of the 2012-2013 season. The starting five for the Thunder, according to hoopsstats.com, averaged 156.8 minutes, 75.1 points, and an 89.9 efficiency rating a game. Now it’s time to give each starter a grade for the season.
Russell Westbrook
Grade: A-
Stats from 2011-2012: 23.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds a game
Stats on the year: 23.2 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds a game
Best Game: Against the Lakers at home on March 5th as he went for 37 points and 10 rebounds.
I keep saying it to myself and it keeps lingering on me: With a healthy Westbrook, the Thunder would be in the same position the Spurs are in right now. It hurts to say that, but it’s true. Westbrook had a wonderful year. He is starting to become an all-around player on both ends of the floor. The stat that really jumps out at me is that he increased his assists a game from 5.5 to 7.4. He made the all NBA 2nd team for the third straight year. I can’t wait to see the crowds standing ovation when they announce his name on opening day.
Thabo Sefolosha
Grade: B+
Stats from 2011-2012: 4.8 points, 1.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds a game
Stats on the year: 7.6 points, 1.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds a game
Best game: Against Houston on March 20th, as he went for 28 points on 6-10 from deep. Hello.
Look at those stats again. All improvements. Small ones, but still improvements. I think Sefolosha had an overall great year. He shot about 41 percent from deep this year, and played his role. His ability to hit timely threes were big, and helpful. When Durant or Westbrook got into the lane, Sefolosha was able to relocate and usually be the one stepping into a three. I don’t think Sam Presti should let him go.
Kevin Durant
Grade: A
Stats from 2011-2012: 28 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists a game
Stats on the year: 28.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists a game
Best Game: Against the Mavs in Dallas, when he went for 52 points. Not too bad.
Did he win his fourth scoring title in a row this year? No. Did he win the MVP? No. Did he carry his team back to the Finals? No. Did he hell one hell of a season? Yes. Its beyond stats for KD at this point. His leadership, his ability to do legit everything now for this team(not only score), and still be unselfish amazes me. Durant averaged close to 6 assists a game, which is such an underrated stat for this guy. I would love to see KD come back next year, win the MVP, and a ring with his sidekick back and healthy. The limits to his game are endless.
Serge Ibaka
Grade: C+
Stats from 2011-2012: 9.1 points a game, 7.5 rebounds a game, and 3.7 blocks a game.
Stats on the year: 13.2 ppg, 7.7 rebounds a game, 3 blocks a game
Best game: Double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds in a Game 4 loss to the Grizzlies.
Looking back at the 2012-2013 season, many players made a big jump and improvement from the previous season. One of those guys was the Congo native, Serge Ibaka.
He improved, and you can’t deny it. He got better and grew, just as the Thunder organizes stressed: Progression. Did Ibaka have the year Thunder fans wished? Maybe not. But he still improved. His mid-range game improved. His ability to come over from the weak side and alter a shot improved. However, he still has tons of work to do as he needs to work on finishing around the basket, getting stronger, and continuing to try to become a knock down 15 foot shooter.
Kendrick Perkins
Grade: D-
Stats from 2011-2012: 5.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists a game
Stats this year: 4.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists a game
Best Game: None come to mind.
Don’t mind those stats you just read. How about this one?
Perk’s stats from 08-09 in Boston: 10.1 points a game, 7.6 rebounds, 1 assist a game
Stats from this year in OKC: 4.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists a game
Where is the Boston Perk that Sam Presti traded for in exchange for Jeff Green? Welp.
Part two of the player report cards will be posted soon. Stay tuned!