Five takeaways from the OKC Thunder win against Utah

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Feb 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Norris Cole (30) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (3) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Norris Cole may be the x-factor of the playoffs

In the three games since the All Star Break everything has looked perfect about this team. They have the superstar point guard, the shooting sidekicks, the talented bigs down low, the athletic defensive-minded wings…but no backup for the superstar.

Semaj Christon has played exactly how you would expect from a rookie second round draft pick. He’s scored five points on 2-7 shooting. The assist-to-turnover ratio Christon became famous for at the beginning of the season has not held true; he’s recorded four assists and three turnovers. In only nine minutes tonight OKC was outscored by seven points with Christon on the court.

In steps Norris Cole to save the day.

Free agent Norris Cole has agreed to a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder for rest of the season, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2017

Cole is perfect for this role. The 28-year old understands he’ll probably play 8-12 minutes a game, solely to give Westbrook a breather from time to time. He’s a two-time NBA champion with the exact same skillset as Payne. Cole averaged just under 4 assists a game last season for the Pelicans-now he’ll be surrounded with real NBA talent again.

His impact, however, will be more than just what’s on the stat sheet. The Thunder aren’t expecting Cole to win them a playoff series, just guide an inexperienced second-unit through the craziness of a playoff series.

Of any point guard on the market, Cole was the best candidate for the job.

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