OKC Thunder In the news- rotation questions, big tests ahead

In the news for December 3, focuses on the OKC Thunder as they look to build upon an important victory over the Timberwolves and play host to another Western foe today.

The last time the OKC Thunder registered an important milestone it was followed up with two embarrassing losses. The Thunder don’t have the luxury to approach the next two games with the same lackadaisical mindset. That’s because their next two opponents are the Spurs and Jazz.

While both of those squads are missing key cogs to the lineups (Kawhi Leonard, Rudy Gobert) they’ve continued to win and are current playoff seeds.  Beating the T-Wolves produced a couple of firsts for OKC. They finally demonstrated the ability to win in clutch time. Without room for error the Thunder need to replicate what worked. Specifically the key has been player motion and ball movement.  This is most true of the OK3, yet equally important from the others.

Roster queries:

As per yesterday’s in the news I featured an article by Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript in which he outlined the absence of Abrines on the court. Katz also made reference to Patrick Patterson’s minutes being down due to “rust” and recouping from offseason knee surgery. TI’s own Lawrence George outlines why Patterson should be on the floor.

"Somehow, the OKC Thunder have turned one of the best statistical power forwards into a below average NBA player. When OKC netted Patrick Patterson to a 3-year, 16.4-million dollar contract, it was an absolute steal. For 4-years with the Toronto Raptors, Patterson was the first big off the bench, provided excellent on-ball defense and a nightly threat from deep.Last season, 2-Pat ranked 25th in defensive real plus/minus (+1.26), 10th in offensive real plus/minus (1.05) and 11th in real plus/minus (2.31) and hit a solid 37 percent beyond the arc."

Here’s a novel idea- if Patterson is rusty there is one way to shake off that rust— playing time.

Secret in the effort:

Russell Westbrook spoke after the game about the key to the victory. Pretty simple – play hard for 48 minutes. All season the OKC Thunder have tended to produce solid first halves and regressed through each quarter.  In the tweet link below Fox Sports highlighted Westbrook’s comments on the game and Adams big night.

Paul George the playmaker:

More from Thunderous Intentions

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• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Something Thunderous Intentions scribes have been screaming for is Paul George to have the ball in is his hands more. His nine assists versus the T-Wolves is testament to why George needs to generate the playmaking more frequently.

It’s logical especially to help elude opposing team defenses. Uncertainty whether Westbrook or George are the playmaker adds to this confusion.

George is also turning heads with his defense this season.  PG  is noted as a solid defender, but it’s fair to say he arguably doesn’t get the respect for his 2-way capabilities. His former coach Frank Vogel sure seems to think he deserves more credit.

Tariq Saleh of Give Me Sport covered the Vogel comments on Paul George. The following was Vogel’s quote on PG’s defensive prowess and comparison to former defensive greats.

"“I’ve always called it Allen Iverson’s instincts in Scottie Pippen’s body (with George) and he’s just got a knack for getting into the passing lanes, whether it’s deflecting the pass or ripping the ball out of guy’s hands or mixing it up inside. He’s always had a knack for it.’’"

That wraps up in the news for December 3.  Make sure to check in with Thunderous Intentions daily as our talented team of scribes keeps you up to date and your favorite team and players. Today the OKC Thunder face another Western foe  as they host the San Antonio Spurs at 6:00 CT.