Thunderous Intentions
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Five possible rotations with the Enes Kanter injury

By Tony Heim

Dec 27, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) controls the ball against during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) controls the ball against during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Play Steven Adams with the second-unit more

I should preface these changes by saying that all five moves interconnect for my own personal vision of what the rotation should be. I expect some of these will actually happen, but not for the reasons I lay out. This is one of them.

There is no way that we don’t see Steven Adams get extended time with the bench. We already saw this last night when Adams played the entire third quarter. In fact, when Westbrook left the court OKC outscored Dallas 9-3 in only 2.5 minutes.

Playing without Russ will give The Big Kiwi more of an opportunity to be a focal part of an offense. Adams may not be as potent of a threat as Kanter, but giving Adams that work against lesser-skilled players would help with his development. Plus the upgrade on the defensive end would help a truly-awful unit.

Related Story: Steven Adams could be a primary scoring option

If Adams is playing with the second unit more than the starting center minutes must get taken by somebody. Well I have just the player…

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