Welcome to OKC Thunder in the news for Friday September 8 featuring topical news on your favorite team.
Today in OKC Thunder in the news Russell Westbrook is dominating headlines. In case you missed these articles when they originally posted this is your opportunity to revisit them. Of specific interest to pundits is how the Westbrook – Paul George play sets will work. And, how the reigning MVP will need to adjust his game.
With that here is OKC Thunder in the news for September 8:
Balancing volume scoring vs efficiency – where Westbrook ranks:
Nylon Calculus scribe Todd Whitehead offers a must read for every hoops fanatic whether a huge Westbrook fan or not. His analysis looks at the leagues best in terms of scorers, play makers, and MVP candidates. More importantly, Whitehead examines who is the most effective and efficient at involving their teammates. While LeBron James edged out Westbrook in many sections recognize the talent at each of their disposal. .
Cleveland made a point of adding shooters whereas the OKC Thunder utilized youngsters or ancillary talents to raise production. Simply put, as the playmaker, would you pick Kyle Korver or Alex Abrines to pass the ball to? No offense to Abrines (who is still developing), but let’s be serious — there is no comparison. Ultimately, Whitehead’s article may only serve to point out how spectacular Westbrook’s MVP was. And again, it’s a must read for every hoops fan.
"MVP-Meter confirms that Russell Westbrook’s season was quite impressive. As mentioned, in terms of individual scoring, he wasn’t super efficient (short purple box), but his playmaking made his teammates better (tall green box) and he carried a huge load on offense (wide purple and green boxes). His MVP-Meter was further enhanced by the relative ineptitude of his teammates — he had the lowest teammate efficiency of any qualified player (minimum 2,000 minutes played) at 0.93 points per possession. The Thunder had a lot of trouble scoring if Westbrook didn’t do it himself or, at least, facilitate his teammates with an assist."
Can Westbrook become an off ball scoring threat?
Following up on the above article the next must read article comes courtesy of Scott Rafferty of The Step Back. Rafferty ponders how Westbrook and George will mesh. More specifically, he examines how well Westbrook will fit into the role of playing off the ball. After a season spent carrying 14 players on his back this should be a welcome challenge for the reigning MVP.
What fans need to remember is this concept isn’t foreign to Westbrook. After all, he spent copious seasons distributing and receiving the ball back from Kevin Durant. From this scribes perspective the meshing between James Harden and Chris Paul will be far more difficult. Both Rockets guards are used to being the main playmaker and producer on their respective squads. Whereas Westbrook and George have handled both sides of this production coin. Surely, having players like Paul George, Patrick Patterson and a growing core should help ease the offensive load on Westbrook. Considering that fact, I’d bet good money part of Westbrook’s offseason was spent perfecting his catch and shoot mechanics.
Many of the Thunderous Intentions crew ranted about offseason additions George and Patterson. Especially due to added floor spacing and how their presence will create mismatches and copious options all over the court. Rafferty uses a perfect analogy of two (now former) teammates who Westbrook and George could emulate:
"Creating mismatches will be an important part of the Thunder’s offense next season as well. Being the dominant pick-and-roll scorers they are, Westbrook and George can be used as the screener and ball handler depending on the matchups. If they get the switch they’re looking for, they can then exploit the mismatch in isolation by attacking 1-on-1 in ways similar to LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.It’s almost the best of both worlds when Westbrook isn’t pushing the pace in transition or creating in the pick-and-roll. George can establish himself as a threat both as a shooter coming off of a screen and a scorer coming off of a pick-and-roll. It also engages Adams, one of the best rollers in the NBA, while giving Westbrook an opportunity to score without five defenders watching his every move. The Thunder didn’t have someone who could take that sort of pressure off of Westbrook last year, so they’d be wise to maximize the potential of another volume scorer."
TI’s Film Festival series:
Sticking with the analytical nature of the column let’s revisit TI’s resident analytical master Gideon Lim‘s Film Fest series. Lim’s most recent offering focuses on Andre Roberson.
"1. Bulldozing big men like Carmelo AnthonyThe clip here does not show it, but Andre Roberson tracks Carmelo Anthony through one cross screen along the block, and successfully pushes Melo far enough out to deny a straight post up. In the end, Roberson blocks Anthony’s shot once, and forces a jump ball on Carmelo’s second try."
"Roberson understood he was undersized against post players. Roberson instead chose to focus on his good instincts and motor to make even catching the ball close to the basket an issue. For someone who had not played post defense since he came into the league, Roberson’s seamless handling of post assignments is one of his biggest achievements last season."
Check out all of Lim’s Film Fest series and remember to keep an eye on TI as the final episode will feature the reigning MVP himself.
That wraps up OKC Thunder in the news to start your weekend. Check back each day as TI offers you the hottest news on your favorite squad.