OKC Thunder In the news: Next 20 – apply lessons and grow

In the news for December 4, focuses on the OKC Thunder as they look to build upon two consecutive victories heading into week eight of the season.

It wasn’t exactly the Spurs A team the OKC Thunder faced, but after the bad luck the squad has suffered this season perhaps this is a sign of the pendulum swinging. That, and speculation Kawhi Leonard could be back as early as tonight when the Spurs host the Pistons at home.

Sure would make a ton of sense why Popovich sat out Parker, Aldridge and Gay in OKC. Why not have all your major players rested and ready to go at home.  It might be nothing, yet the sight of Kawhi Leonard shooting in the warmup does lend itself to belief the rumors of weeks should be shrunk to days.

Lesson Learned?

As for the Thunder they’ll face the Jazz next; a team suddenly putting up top offensive production without their big man Rudy Gobert. Quin Snyder is a brilliant basketball mind who is noted more for his defensive system and ability to develop youngsters. OKC won’t be able to take this team for granted and the NBA better take notice because if the Jazz’ new offense continues once Gobert returns it makes Utah even more competitive.

Case in point, in the 10 games Gobert has missed the Jazz have the second best offense in the Association (114.2) behind only the Rockets. In the last 5 games the Jazz have the highest offensive rank (122.3) ahead of the Warriors.

After the Jazz the OKC Thunder hit the road to face the Brooklyn Nets Thursday and the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday. Brooklyn are 3-7 in their past 10 games while the Grizzies are on an 11 game losing streak. That said, both teams have demonstrated the ability to push teams and are probably more dangerous than the Mavericks and Magic the last two teams who put a beat down on the Thunder.

Moves still to make?

Despite the schedule serving up a few wins for the taking the OKC Thunder are still clearly struggling to find a consistent, cohesive offensive flow. TI scribe Lawrence George addresses the situation and very real need for specific positions.roles to be filled.

"Oklahoma City’s lack of bench scoring and rebounding are two primary issues that need to be addressed. Jerami Grant, Josh Huestis, Terrence Ferguson and Alex Abrines are nice players in their own rights but none can score. Rookie Dakari Johnson is a big center who fouls like a trooper and Nick Collison is a shell of his former self. OKC run into issues when Steven Adams gets in foul trouble.With teams ravaged by injury on the verge of rebuilding or players seeking buyout opportunities, OKC must keep a close eye on player availability."

Carlisle wins line of the year so far:

Okay – so it’s a little off topic, but this has to be viewed. Warning – you may laugh out loud so put down any beverage before you watch this. In preparation- Nerlens Noel went to the Media Room for a hot dog at half time of the game on Saturday. Noel is explaining himself to the media throng when Jim Carrey’s look alike –  Rick Carlisle delivers the best quip of the year.

NBA TV  discusses Thunder:

More from Thunderous Intentions

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• 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

A myriad of former players became TV commentator or analysts. From this scribes perspective two of the best are/were Brent Barry and Steve Kerr. Of course Kerr has a new job, but Barry continues in his role on NBA TV.  Barry speaks to the OKC Thunder’s performance statistically and just like this site has referenced those numbers align to a club with five additional wins ( my estimate was six). In other words, as long as the team continues to grow, not regress there is still time.

Quarter Way:

Put another way there are a couple of markers in the season. Generally, the first quarter (20 games in), tends to provide an inkling of which teams will be the clear leaders. To this point in the West those are the Rockets, Golden State and Spurs. In the East Boston is the definitive leader.  Detroit needs to get through this week with a .500 record  and Cleveland need to beat some teams above .500 and remain and continue to play top ten defense (though with LeBron James his team will always be labelled with the elites.  And, the Raptors survived the hardest East schedule, have completed more than half of their opposite coast games and appear poised to ascend.

There is a definitive bottom (Suns, Kings, Mavericks, Nets, Bulls, Hawks). The reminder are teams who’ll separate themselves over the course of the next 20 games.

This is a key period for the OKC Thunder, so a good start would be to aim to win 75 percent of their games every week.

That wraps up in the news for December 4.  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.