March 5th: Welcome to Views from OKC, Thunderous Intentions’ daily roundup of the best OKC Thunder content across the web.
New to Views? I’m really sorry to hear that, you’ve missed out on some fun times this season. Hopefully this won’t be your last time joining our non-exclusive club.
Thunder look to turn things around in Dallas
“The Thunder (35-27) are just 12-19 on the road, having lost their last six away from home. The first two losses on their current three-game road trip have come against teams (Portland and Phoenix) with losing records. Westbrook triple-doubles have been a sign of success, with Oklahoma City going 24-6 this season when he notches one.”
This game is going to go one of two ways. The Thunder are going to make offensive and defensive adjustments; they will play more like a team and less like Russell Westbrook and four randoms. Or they will play like they have the past two games, forcing Westbrook to carry the entire offensive load. The thing is OKC could win or lose playing either style, so I’m going to stay away from making a prediction on this one.
Must Read: OKC is an organization that promotes family over everything
This is the Steven Adams we need to see tonight
“Steven Adams chugs along. Bumps from opposing defenders barely register. The grabs and hand checks common among grappling big men are dispatched quickly. Adams absorbs these physical manipulations and keeps moving, turning a crowded lane into a path of little resistance.”
It’s been awhile since I’ve seen Steven Adams‘ rookie highlights. Seeing the difference from his rookie season to where he is now assures me that the $100 million contract was not an overpay. Adams is going to keep getting better, and he acknowledges that he still has a lot of work to do. Here’s the problem. The Big Kiwi has looked like a rookie these past two games. Without Victor Oladipo it is especially important for him to step up on the offensive end and take pressure off Russ. OKC needs 2016-2017 Adams tonight, not the 2013-2014 version.
Views from Twitter
Let me tell you a little story about Rumble the Bison. I was watching the Thunder on Christmas with my little cousins when they noticed the “big hairy thing” under the basket. They were intrigued by the mascot, but as the camera did a close-up on his face they ran out of the room, refusing to watch until the “big hairy thing” went away. I thank Rumble the Bison everyday for giving me peace and quiet on Christmas.
Derrick Jones Jr. looks like if Alex Abrines' barber had a heart attack in the middle of trimming his face.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) March 4, 2017
I take serious offense to this. These are two of my favorite young players in the NBA and Fred Katz is using their expense to make a joke? Fred, have you seen what Airplane Mode can do to a human being? I know we’ve never talked. And I understand that you probably have never read one word of mine. But if this somehow gets to you, know that combining DJ Jr. and the Spanish Sniper into one punchline has knocked you down a peg on my Thunder beat writer totem pole.
(Don’t worry you’re still pretty dang high up there).