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Reviewing Alex Abrines’ rookie season with the Thunder

By Tony Heim

Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Abrines (8) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles against 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 guard Alex Abrines (8) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles against 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 12, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives to the basket in front of OKC Thunder guard Alex Abrines (8) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives to the basket in front of OKC Thunder guard Alex Abrines (8) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Abrines’ rookie season

Judging Alex Abrines as a rookie comes with asterisks. As a 23-year old international player Abrines played five professional seasons before coming to the NBA, giving him an idea of what to expect off the court. That doesn’t mean it was the smoothest rookie season though.

Abrines’ minutes fluctuated as a byproduct of Billy Donovan’s rotation experiments from the beginning of the season. His first ten game logs read 13, 0, 2, 8, 19, 17, 17, 5, 13, 19 – he appeared in 68 games despite only missing five games with injury.

That instability led to the Spaniard starting the season off ice cold. Abrines shot 25.6% from three in the first full month of the season; after settling into the NBA three-point line he shot over 41% in four of the last five months of the season.

His infamous defense also improved as the season went on, but not to the extent of his shooting. Because of his small frame Abrines got pushed around by stronger guards. He reportedly added 20 pounds during the season, and his willingness to take a hit got better as the season progressed.

But that didn’t make up for his poor defensive instincts. Opponents were able to beat Abrines off the first step far too often – from there it was likely he would reach and lightly foul the shooter. Even his off-ball defense need to be tuned up.

We’ve all seen the highlight, but watch how late it takes Abrines to step over and help on James Harden.

These are the plays that Abrines can’t make if he wants to stick in the NBA. The shooting and athletic ability is there for a fantastic offensive weapon for Russell Westbrook, but it’s going to take a big step on the other end of the floor for Alex Abrines to be a true role player on a contending team.

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