Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Five takeaways from a dominant Thunder season opener

By Tony Heim

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 19: Russell Westbrook
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 19: Russell Westbrook /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 19: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the OKC Thunder reacts after scoring two points against the New York Knicks during the first half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 19, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 19: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the OKC Thunder reacts after scoring two points against the New York Knicks during the first half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 19, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

The Thunder will be top ten in three-point attempts/makes

This is easily the least controversial takeaway of the night. But when a team that finishes 18th in three-point attempts and last in three-point percentage last season shoots 38 in their first game of the season, it’s got to be addressed.

We should have assumed the additions of George and Anthony coupled with the increased emphasis on efficiency would bring out a new style in this Oklahoma City team. After averaging 25.8 attempts a game last season, the Thunder put up 22 in the first half tonight. Even though the shots weren’t falling, it was great to see.

This GIF says it all:

There’s only so many open shots Carmelo Anthony, Paul George, Patrick Patterson and Alex Abrines are going to miss. The Thunder’s four best perimeter shooters combined to shoot 10-30 from deep, 4-17 if you take out George. Oklahoma City still was able to drop an easy 105 even with a poor shooting night – that’s because the three-pointer wasn’t their main offensive focus.

Westbrook’s constant attacking is still the identity of the OKC offense. Now he’s blessed with weapons to open up spacing even more. This goes hand in-hand-hand with the previous slide. Instead of having to force up contested shots like last season, Russ now has All-Star teammates to feed on the perimeter.

The Thunder have always wanted to be a top three-point shooting team to open up the floor for Russ. It’s why they pushed Serge Ibaka out to the corner early on his career. As we now know, last season was a weird transition year for the organization.

Now they’re back in their comfort zone, with a personnel ready to shoot with the Rockets and Warriors of the world. It’s weird to say that after watching last year’s team, but thankfully it’s true.

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