Grading the Thunder’s terrifying yet tremendous triple overtime victory
By Tony Heim
OKC Thunder Best Reserve
Oklahoma City Thunder. PATRICK PATTERSON. A+. . Power Forward
Never mind that Patrick Patterson didn’t play a better overall game than Raymond Felton or Josh Huestis (shoutout those guys). What Patterson provided as Steven Adams’ replacement in triple OT was bigger than arguably any other two minute stretch from a Thunder player. Philadelphia went to Joel Embiid in the postas soon as Adams fouled out – Patterson held Embiid to two made free throws in the last 2:12 minutes of the game.
We have to acknowledge Embiid was playing on a career high 49 minutes, but that shouldn’t take away from Patterson’s performance. That’s because he did a whole lot more than just cover the 76ers beast of a center. His game saving block on a JJ Reddick three virtually sealed the deal for the Thunder, in turn solidifying Patterson’s status as OKC’s sixth man. Now it’s up to Billy Donovan to play him more than 15 minutes in a game that went 63.
Philadelphia 76ers Best Player
Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID. A. . Center
This doesn’t come as a shock if you’ve soaked in this extra special report card. Giannis Antetokounmpo gets all the press, but we seriously need to include Embiid as option #1B in the discussion. His rapid progression is just as impressive, if not more impressive than Antetokounmpo. The 23-year old’s ability to shoot is the tipping point for me.
If Embiid remains healthy (he was sprawling across the floor deep into overtime, take it for what it’s worth) then he will be an All-Time great. His combination of instincts and range on the defensive end are truly remarkable for a man his size – there simply isn’t a major hole in his game.
Embiid was easily the best player on the court, but he doesn’t get awarded the elusive A+ because Steven Adams outplayed him in the rebounding battle. As a noted fan of pettiness, I couldn’t justify knocking him down to an A- for waving good bye to Adams after he fouled out.