Dissecting the OKC Thunder Road Woes and Regressing Defense
Keys For Resolution To Current Road Woes:
As the OKC Thunder prepares for the stretch run Billy Donovan will need to act swiftly to correct the team’s issues. Thunder enthusiasts have reason to remain optimistic with identifiable areas for the squad to make abrupt improvements.
Return of Victor Oladipo:
It is rather curious Victor Oladipo missed three games due to back spasms. It begged the question if team doctors chose to use this extended period to allow the guard extra healing time for his wrist. Regardless, as Thunderous Intentions scribe Jeremy Lambert succinctly opined “Who cares if his wrist is effecting his shot, we need his defense“. Lambert, of course, is dead on the money.
Moreover, not having Oladipo available to spend time with the reserve unit resulted in zero ball movement and teams collapsing on Enes Kanter. Plus, Westbrook can use another offensive talent to help share his workload.
Related: Oladipo’s Absence Felt in Losses
While many may feel one player shouldn’t make this much difference, far deeper rosters have suffered the effects of losing one key contributor. For example, Charlotte is a completely different squad without Cody Zeller in the lineup. The Hornets are 3-17 without him and since his return from injury, Charlotte is 3-1 (25-18 on the season with Zeller playing).
New Recruits Need Time to Practice and Gel:
Since the trade, there has been precious little time for Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott, and Norris Cole to mesh with the team. The new vernacular and sets the trio need to upload will take time. The time that only practice can provide.
Consistent Shooting:
The three losses can’t be put on Russell Westbrook. He’s trying to initiate ball movement. This problem was more discernible on the road when players seemingly mired in cement. With recent practice time for the trio, surely Donovan has made the ball and player movement a priority.
Related: Amazing Ascent of Westbrook up NBA All-Time Leaderboards
Russell Factor:
Several times this season Westbrook has come close to falling below the triple-double stat line. Each time he’s registered a monster game in the stat area required. With his assist level coming close to falling below 10.0 per game combined with no triple-doubles in three games expect some monster games in the three-game homestand.
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
With a practice session and Oladipo slated to return, it’s a good bet Westbrook should be getting up multiple assists. This isn’t to suggest Russell needs to be stat hunting. Rather it’s a reflection of the Thunder’s win percentage when he does register a triple-double. To that end, the Thunder win 80 percent(24-6) of the games he produces a triple-double and only 33.3 percent (11-22) when he doesn’t.
Westbrook’s next triple-double will be his 31st this season and tie him with Wilt Chamberlain for second-most in a season.
In closing:
Timing is everything.
Victor Oladipo returns tonight. The new Thunder Trio has been able to practice. OKC is back at the Peake where they excel. And, teams above the Thunder remain within striking distance.
Entering game 64, the Thunder sits seventh with veritable issues to fix and can’t afford to rely on their opponents. That said, the moves Presti made at the deadline fixed specific needs improving the squad. Now it’s just a matter of translating those improvements onto the court and carrying it over on the road.