Summary
In all, there is no need to go into full blown panic mode. This is the first game of a playoff series the Thunder were pegged to lose. The Thunder are in a new era in terms of lineup dynamics, so Donovan should still be given more time to even out his playoff rotations.
In order for the Thunder to mount a comeback, these 5 changes must happen. Two of them are on Donovan and the rest of the coaching staff. But I suspect they may not necessarily come in Game 2. If they were so easy to fix, the Thunder wouldn’t have struggled so much after the Rockets blew their game plan open.
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The other three happen on the court, and that is where I think the Thunder’s Big 3 must take their leadership to the next level. Starting with Westbrook, OKC Thunder players need to bring better focus and intensity. For some, like Westbrook and Kanter, that means knowing when to hold back and get others involved. For others, like Oladipo and Adams, that means learning to be more aggressive and aim to dominate their matchup.
In an article for the Player’s Tribune earlier this week, Enes Kanter talked about the team relishing its underdog status. Game 2 stays in Space City on Wednesday night. When it comes, Thunder fans will be hoping that the team will make good of Kanter’s claim.