OKC Thunder In the news: Melo passes AI, talk is cheap, losing continues
The OKC Thunder knew it would be a process, but it was doubtful anyone envisioned it would be this hard.
Welcome to OKC Thunder in the news for Friday November 10. It’s a bit tense in Thunder Nation with the home squad looking worse than they did prior to season start. When Sam Presti made the deals to bring Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to the Thunder after the initial celebration questions on how it would work surfaced.
Pundits pointed to the OK3 usage saying it would never work given the players were all high usage. Worse they were all accustomed to running their show pretty much single handedly. Just like Russell Westbrook had grown accustomed to having to do it all.
But the OK3 pushed back saying they just wanted to win. And, with so much talent on one team it was suppose to be easy. Sure – there would be growing pains, but when the OKC Thunder showcased flashes of brilliance in dominant wins over the Bulls and Bucks scribes turned their attention elsewhere. After all there was team in the East who had a history and seemed to be in major jeopardy. With the Cavaliers losing to presumed lottery teams the King’s realm took center stage.
OKC Suffer fourth consecutive loss remain winless versus West:
Additionally, the superstars had answered critics questions about dispersement of the ball with virtually identical shot attempts.
Since then the OK3 experienced a bad call and that fateful decision began what has escalated into six losses versus their own conference and a current four game losing streak. Worse each time the Thunder enter clutch time the tension is palpable.
When the squad lost to the lowly Kings suddenly the they’ll be fine talk dissipated and OKC is once more in the public eye.
Tonight they’ll face an old nemesis who arrive battered, bruised, on a 3-game losing streak and dealing with their own internal discord.
Team Meeting:
Following the game the team held an impromptu meeting with Paul George providing most of the background. First he responded to reporters citing the need for him to make himself more available. Yes, Paul read my game day preview – it’s not the ball that needs to move it’s the players!
PG on getting one shot in the 4Q: “I think that was just the flow of the game. I got to make myself available and probably make myself a little bit more assertive.”
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) November 10, 2017
Later he posted a profoundinstagram which Westbrook liked, so it must be a common sentiment.
Paul George with a little Instagram message last night: pic.twitter.com/lfL1Nn0GBT
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) November 10, 2017
Anthony Milestone:
Royce Young of ESPN details the milestone night of Carmelo who passed Allen Iverson for 24th on the All-Time scoring list.
"Anthony finished with 28 points on the night in a 102-94 loss to the Nuggets, the team that selected him with the third overall pick in the 2003 draft. With 24,385 career points in the regular season, Anthony is now behind Ray Allen for the next spot on the list.Anthony, 33, is within reach of as high as 18th on the all-time list this season, which would pass Vince Carter, Patrick Ewing, Jerry West, Reggie Miller and Alex English, if he scores around 1,600 points, which has been his average during his 15-year career."
On top of everything Steven Adams left the court late in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury. He’ll be a game time decision. If he can’t go decisions become critical. It’s not an ideal situation, but it could be worse – the Thunder could be Cleveland!
That brings In the news for November 10 to a close. Enjoy the game today and make sure to interact with us on twitter and check back with Thunderous Intentions post game for grades and analysis. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.