OKC Thunder: Pundit predictions bordering on shade – breaking down illogical statements

The addition of two super stars to the OKC Thunder hasn’t convinced Chris Webber or David Aldridge of the team’s title chances . Rather, their comments this weekend bordered on shade, but are these statements backed up by facts?

Granted this scribe has a vested interest in the OKC Thunder and their new big three dominating in the West.  In spite of that motivation, comments from Webber and Aldridge had me riled. The consequence was a mad dash to Basteketball Reference to pour over facts and stats.

Results offers tangible evidence the esteemed Chris Webber and David Aldridge may want to consider….

Chris Webber offers early motivation (plus a strange prediction):

Some pundits (looking at you Chris Webber) are saying the OKC Thunder won’t be contenders because of the massive turnover of the squad. In his NBA TV appearance Webber cited Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers as favorites due to their consistent rosters.  Not to be a pill, but Mr. Webber – didn’t the Clippers just lose their super star point guard? Moreover, the Clippers lost three starters and their perennial sixth man. In fact the Clippers have just five players returning.

In contrast, the Thunder have ten players returning.Only Victor Oladipo (better suited as a bench player) and Taj Gibson who arrived at the trade deadline depart from the starting unit. Obviously the loss of Enes Kanter hurts, but the team added talent in his stead. Otherwise the losses for OKC are reserve players like Doug McDermott and Domantas Sabonis. So, the OKC Thunder add two All-Stars (super stars?), upgrade defensively with Patrick Patterson (plus a solid 3-point shot) and improve their backup point guard.

Hmmm, I might not have the same credentials as Chris Webber – but math alone and talent comparison tells me the Clippers should be worried about getting a playoff seed as opposed to a home court positioning.

And, if that doesn’t convince you Mr. Webber how about this: Sam Presti turned one starter -Oladipo, (again someone better suited to the bench) and three reserves Sabonis, Kanter and McDermott into Paul George and Carmelo Anthony!

For the record this isn’t just two stars, this is TWO SUPER STARS with copious credentials to their name:

Paul George:

• 4-time  All-Star
• 3-time All-Defense
• 3-time All-NBA
• 2012-13 Most Improved Player
• 4 seasons top 10 in steals
• 2 seasons top 10 in 3-point field goals made
• 3 seasons top 10 defensive sin shares
• 5 time NBA weekly award recipient
• 2 seasons in top 10 Value Over Replacement Player ranking
• 2 time NBA monthly award recipient
• All Rookie second team
• still just 27 years old

Carmelo Anthony:

• 10-time  All-Star
• 2012-13 Scoring Champion
• 6-time All-NBA
• 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist (2016 with George, 2012 with Westbrook)
• 1 time Olympic Bronze Medalist
• FIBA Gold Medalist
• 2012-13 All Rookie Team
• 18 time NBA weekly award recipient
• 12 time NBA monthly award recipient
• 8 seasons top 10 field goals made
• 8 seasons top 10 free throws made
• 7 seasons top 10 free throws attempted
• 9 seasons top 10 points per game
• 2 seasons top 10 box plus-minus
• 3387 three point field goals made (ranks 45th All-Time)

Outgoing OKC Thunder Players:

Oladipo: All rookie team

McDermott: 2 seasons top 10 turnover percent

Sabonis: nothing

Kanter: nothing

Must Read: To Enes Kanter, with love – You’re always welcome in Okla-home

Aldridge tosses some Brodie shade:

Speaking of pundits throwing shade, with all due respect to David Aldridge (who I greatly respect) calling Russell Westbrook a terrible defender is a bit of a stretch.  Particularly in a season where he was the OKC Thunder offense.

It’s understandable Westbrook didn’t have much left in the tank on defense. With the addition of Paul George and Patrick Patterson coupled with the already strong defensive acumen of Andre Roberson and Steven Adams (and others – Grant) it’s fair to assume Westbrook’s defensive numbers should improve this season.

While I’m on this rant let’s not forget once the playoffs hit, Westbrook was a plus +5.2 in defensive box plus/minus. In season Westbrook was a plus +4.7 defensive box plus-minus. Or that he finished the season eighth in defensive win shares last season and second for defensive box plus-minus. Sure, this is a team sport and that effects the box plus-minus, but still it’s applicable.

via basketball reference

In fact, even in a season when Westbrook needed to do everything except dispense water to his team his defensive stats improved over previous seasons as per above. Logically, with two super stars Westbrook will have more energy to apply on the defensive end now.

Suffice to say simply stating this new iteration of the OKC Thunder won’t be competitive is head scratching. Sure, the big three will need to find their rhythm, but so too will James Harden and Chris Paul. The fact Russell Westbrook averaged 10.4 assists  per game on a team who had poor shooting should logically offer an argument his assists will sky rocket with George, Anthony and Patterson all available to connect both on the perimeter and mid range.

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

Then factor in Westbrook, George and Anthony are all in the top ten of isolation scorers. Now tell me who opponents close out on or double team in clutch situations? And, if teams are successful at shutting down all three Adams or Patterson should be wide open in the paint or the corner.

Understandably, everyone has an opinion, but to simply state the Thunder aren’t a top tier team or Westbrook isn’t capable of upping his defense now that he has support in this scribes opinion is to under estimate what this team and Westbrook will accomplish.

But hey, go ahead and under estimate Westbrook, Anthony and George. It’s something all three are accustomed to. And that alone might be the greatest driving force behind this triad and their team — they are hungry to win. And that my friends might be the most compelling reason to expect this squad to be playing well into June!