Thunderous Intentions
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Five biggest needs for the Thunder this offseason

By Casimir Cuffy

Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan talks in a pregame press conference before the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Houston Rockets in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan talks in a pregame press conference before the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Houston Rockets in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; OKC Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) looks to pass against Houston Rockets guard Lou Williams (12) in the first quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; OKC Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) looks to pass against Houston Rockets guard Lou Williams (12) in the first quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

An identity

What will be the Oklahoma City Thunder’s identity heading into next season?

This was a question that was asked many times last summer and throughout the year we got our answer. The Thunder’s identity will be to ride the Brodie’s wave as far as he will take us.

Westbrook took us through one of the most exciting seasons by a single player in the history of the NBA. He averaged a triple-double on the year with numerous “MVP” moments sprinkled in. It is looking as though Russ will be named MVP at the NBA Awards Show on June 26th. The Brodie took this team to 47 wins and a playoff berth, but that’s where the ride stops.

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This season was Westbrook’s first, and hopefully only, season as OKC’s workhorse. He did seemingly everything at the games except sell concessions; that didn’t help towards the ultimate goal of bringing a championship to Oklahoma City.

How to fix it

Billy Donovan has to create a new identity. One that can sustain Westbrook’s rage and intensity and channel it towards excellent team play and wins. Donovan will have to learn how to utilize all of his players to their skill-sets and mesh them together. He will also have to make better late-game adjustments and plays that aren’t just give Russell the ball and get out the way.

This team will have to find a part of the game they want to be excellent at and make it their mission. Whether that is mastering the pick & roll, three-point shooting, strong defense or transition offense, they have to stick to it and make it their niche.

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