Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Five takeaways from the Thunder’s easy win against Indiana

By Tony Heim

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 25: Head Coach Billy Donovan and Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder talk during a time out during a game against the Indiana Pacers at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 25, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 25: Head Coach Billy Donovan and Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder talk during a time out during a game against the Indiana Pacers at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 25, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 25: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket against and is fouled by Josh Huestis #34 of the OKC Thunder at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 25, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 25: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket against and is fouled by Josh Huestis #34 of the OKC Thunder at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 25, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Josh Huestis is the versatile bench weapon they needed

The Josh Huestis conundrum has been fascinating to watch the last three years. I’m happy to say it’s finally come to an end. Remember when Billy Donovan used to say Huestis couldn’t get playing time because he was a fairly-new 3/4 tweener? Funny, because Huestis played a good amount of shooting guard last night with Paul George in foul trouble.

Oklahoma City desperately needed a player in the ilk of Andre Iguodala coming off the bench; somebody who can guard multiple positions and positively impact the offense. Huestis isn’t nearly as talented as the former All-Star, there’s no denying that. But he does similar things on the defensive end and spaces the floor just as much, if not more.

In Huestis’ 26 minutes (he led the bench in playing time) the Thunder outscored the pacers by 12 (another bench-high). His counting stats – 3 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal – don’t scream great game either. What Huestis does differently from the other young OKC players is he avoids stupid mistakes.

The 25-year old was there for almost every help-side rotation on defense. He fills the lane correctly in transition. He knows where to be (mostly the corner) at all times on offense. Huestis has a high basketball IQ, exactly what you need from a bench player who plays anywhere from shooting guard to center.

We assumed this was going to be Jerami Grant’s role – the problem with Grant is he plays the game with reckless abandon. Grant is too infatuated with the highlight plays, the rim-shattering dunks and high-flying blocks, to be a consistent role player come Playoff time. Although Huestis’ isn’t there yet (he’s still only made 11 career appearances), he can evolve into a solid 8th/9th-man by the end of the season. Billy Donovan just needs to keep pumping him minutes.

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