OKC Thunder: Five Takeaways from Third Straight Home Loss

3. Alex Abrines is everything BUT a shooter

So we knew Abrines was a sharpshooter going into the season. But did you know he could do this? (I wish there was a better angle for you lovely people)

If you watched Abrines’ highlights from his time with FC Barcelona you would have already known the Spaniard sharpshooter had this ability. I don’t want to hear the “sneaky athleticism” thing either; just because he’s white doesn’t mean it’s sneaky.

Abrines has the chance to be a real difference-maker this season. Just compare preseason Abrines to Game 10 Abrines. He’s already improved tremendously on defense and his offensive game is already moving away from strictly shooting.

On pick & roll plays Abrines is making reads on where he thinks his teammate is going to move; you don’t see that from rookies this early in the season. Granted those reads have been wrong sometimes, but they were the right play if his teammate made the correct read as well.

The 23-year old has shown a little bit of everything on the offensive end. He has a high basketball IQ. He can take his man off the dribble and finish strong at the rim. Now if Abrines can start hitting threes at his preseason rate…the Thunder may have a special weapon on their hands.