Views from OKC is a daily diary about the current state of the OKC Thunder. Today we take a look at tonight’s matchup with Milwaukee.
Is it possible that the Thunder could lose three straight home games in a span of five days? Yes. Yes it is.
Ever since the first half ended against San Antonio, Oklahoma City has played like a team who relies on Russell Westbrook for EVERTHING. That is obviously true to an extent, but the last three halves of basketball have exemplified that. Against Charlotte Russ had 40% of the points, 53% of the assists and 31% of the rebounds…he only had 33% of the turnovers.
Things are going to have to change tonight if Oklahoma City wants to win more than one game in the playoffs. This team is streaky, and they need to hit a hot streak going into the playoffs. With the next four games on the road a loss tonight would crush this young team.
Related Story: Previewing the Bucks, Thunder game
I see tonight going one of two ways. Westbrook continues waging mass destruction on his opponents, leading the Thunder to a victory. Victor Oladipo will chip in 20 points while Steven Adams will repeat his fantastic performance against the Bucks earlier this year. OR Westbrook continues waging mass destruction on his opponents, but his efforts fall short because his teammates fail to get anything going on either end of the floor.
One thing is constant: Russell Westbrook.
It’s a shame that Billy Donovan hasn’t been able to find four players who can match Westbrook’s level of intensity night in and night out. Taj Gibson is close, but at 31 he doesn’t have the same youthful vigor as his teammates. Jerami Grant may the best candidate, but his lack of playing time/quietness makes it hard to place him in this category.
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
Enes Kanter plays with passion but sometimes is at an extreme disadvantage with small-ball lineups, something I expect to see tonight. Alex Abrines‘ body simply isn’t ready to compete in crunch time of the NBA just yet. Semaj Christon just isn’t that good.
Ultimately that’s the problem for the Thunder. Every player besides Russ, Gibson and Nick Collison have yet to truly establish themselves in this league. They’ve all had moments, but nobody has been able to string that into a consistent campaign this season. It’s why they’ve been so inconsistent this year.
The lesson here is to stop expecting which version of the Thunder we will see tonight. Trust me, watching the game with little expectations makes it much easier to take in.