Another poor OKC Thunder showing leads to copious questions
Just when it appears the OKC Thunder have “worked it out”, Oklahoma City’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets presented even more questions.
24 games in and the OKC Thunder are still no closer to figuring it out. Two or three good performances are followed by a poor one. Oklahoma City ensured that trend continued. After a successful three-game home stand, the Thunder decided to lay an egg on the road against the Brooklyn Nets. Bad ball movement, terrible shot selection and zero player motion saw OKC cough up a 16 point lead en route to a 100-95 loss. If you are an avid follower of professional sports, you take the wins with the losses thus taking an L is part of the process.
However, OKC’s game against the Nets presented more questions than answers. Lets take a look.
Why did Kyle Singler play more than Patrick Patterson?
After playing spot minutes in one game this season, Kyle Singler racked up 23 minutes in Mexico City. He was one of the few Thunder players that showed urgency, energy and effort. Singler regularly cut to the basket, curled off screens and moved off the ball (Westbrook and Melo take notes). He didn’t put up big numbers but finished with 9 points (3-9 shooting and 2-4 from three) and 3 rebounds.
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But why play him more than Patrick Patterson?
2-Pat finished with a season high 7 points (3-3 from the field, 1-1 from three), 2 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist in 20 minutes. After struggling to shoot the rock this year, Patterson finally found himself some rhythm. He finished two nice drives to the cup and hit his only shot from range.
So why take him out?
As I alluded to here, Donovan has transformed a top 10 box plus minus power forward into an average NBA player. He is a career 36.6 percent three point shooter and a corner specialist, yet he has seen hardly any playing time. 2-Pat is not a flash player by any stretch but he will give you grind, hustle and understands his role.
That is exactly what OKC needed last night and Donovan fluffed it.
Related: Donovan is at fault for unnecessary losses because of his crazy rotations
Is Carmelo Anthony right to play Power Forward time?
In the post game interview, Anthony referred to the last five games as the toughest offensive stretch of his career.
One can’t help but think moving to the four has contributed. Melo is shooting 40.6 percent from the field, 33 percent from three and shooting 78 percent from the stripe on career low free throw attempts (3.6).
Against Brooklyn, many of his shots were short.
Early in the first quarter, Melo had a straight line drive to the hoop but was blocked at the rim by rookie Jarrett Allen. He showed no lift and went up soft to dunk the ball. This has been a problem all season long.
His full time shift to power forward has forced Anthony into more defensive coverages and taken his legs from under him. Although gifted with a big body, the banging down low is taking its toll on the 33-year old. Switching him back to small forward will allow him to escape the physicality. This will allow Melo to recover some of his lift to make shots. Donovan can still elect to play him there but in stretches.
Anthony’s attitude toward power forward has always been ho-hum thus starting a bigger body like Patrick Patterson will help.
What happened to Pick and Roll sets?
I saw this happen precisely once last night.
A Westbrook-Andre Roberson pick and roll to the hoop resulted in a beautiful poster. Oklahoma City also ran an Alex Abrines–Steven Adams pick and roll and a Westbrook-Adams pick and roll, both resulting in dunks.
This happened… Once.
Sometimes I question the IQ of the OKC Thunder coaching staff and its stars. Too often do we see the Thunder go away from what is working. Why do OKC settle for low percentage mid-range jumpers instead of going inside?
Why doesn’t Donovan incorporate another ball handler like Melo to run a two-man set with Adams and co? The Thunder are jammed with athletic wings on their roster and probably the most athletic center in the league yet, we are subjected to jumpers.
Oklahoma City need to answer these questions soon. Time is ticking.