Thunderous Intentions
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Five reasons why Thunder fans should NOT start panicking

By Tony Heim

Feb 5, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) react after a play against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) react after a play against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan yells to his players during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Oklahoma City won 97-95. Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan yells to his players during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Oklahoma City won 97-95. Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Billy Donovan has done this to us before

Last season the Thunder severely under performed in the regular season; 55 wins with both Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant simply is not good. But when OKC entered the playoffs we realized the genius behind Donovan’s weird experiments.

He knew exactly who to play against each and every opponent.

The Stache Brothers were the driving force behind taking down the Spurs. Then Dion Waiters became the crux behind Oklahoma City’s 3-1 lead against Golden State. Donovan can’t explore with lineups as much this season because seeding matters more without Durant, but that hasn’t stopped him completely.

Related Story: Billy Donovan deserves Coach of the Year consideration

Against Phoenix we saw this play out more than any game this season. Jerami Grant got run at the center for a few minutes, Andre Roberson played power forward alongside Alex Abrines and Doug McDermott while Taj Gibson only got 14 minutes.

Fans didn’t like that.

But when the playoffs come around?

The experimentation may not be fun now, but it has it’s purpose when the season truly starts. Live with Billy D’s craziness in the regular season because it will all come to fruition in the playoffs.

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