Donovans Dishes – Another disappointing week for the Thunder

Another week for the OKC Thunder, another week with questions that need to be answered.

As I write this weeks’ Donovan’s Dishes, I am still pondering why the Oklahoma City Thunder are not at the top of the Western Conference. I understand the team is not gelling the way it needs to,  yet my heart gets broken with each and every loss.

I look to Billy Donovan most weeks to see what he is doing to right these wrongs. Sadly he has left many problems without an answer, failed to experiment with lineup that should be explored. One such lineup change is starting Patrick Patterson in place of Carmelo Anthony at the 4.

Donovan, of course, is concerned by what is best for the team. Would he want to possibly make a player like Carmelo Anthony upset by starting Patterson in his place? What would this mean for the team chemistry and dynamic? Surely Donovan is doing everything he can to keep Paul George and Anthony happy so they re-sign with the OKC Thunder next year.

With that being said, Patterson is beginning to show his Toronto Raptors form. His 3-point shooting has improved and his defense has returned with a vengeance. His block on J.J. Reddick to ice the triple overtime thriller against the Philadelphia 76ers is what I envisioned we would get out of Patterson from the start. However, returning from injuries does have a large impact in how players play.

More adjusting

It seems every time I listen to Donovan I hear him talking about superstars adjusting to their new roles. I understand a player like Anthony is used to having the ball in his hands a lot, but this is one time I disagree with coach. Billy D is not upset with the looks his shooters are getting. Unfortunately when I watch, I am mostly unimpressed by some of the decision-making by the “OK3.”

Side Note: I am certainly not including Steven Adams in this comment. He is playing like a man possessed by the basketball gods these past few weeks. The Thunder need him to return ASAP.

The shooting numbers are so inconsistent because Russell Westbrook still takes too many ill-advised shots. They are also poor thanks to the mid-range two’s taken by Anthony. As I have stated in previous articles, these shots are the worst in basketball.

Players who take them rarely get fouled, Thins means it is truly a make or miss shot. Anthony has been shooting the ball extremely poorly of late. So, with two volume shooters taking ill-advised shots, there are always going to be losses like the ones to the Charlotte Hornets or the New York Knicks.

On Russell Westbrook

As any OKC Thunder fan will attest, if you want someone to play for your life it would be Russell Westbrook. The man does not give an inch and will beat most people one-on-one. This season he has been a little more tentative – he’s made the concerted effort to ensure George and Anthony get what they need.

Here’s the thing: the Thunder need Westbrook to be himself. He missed a gimme dunk in regulation which could have ended the game in favor of Oklahoma City. Then he took over the game in the overtime periods. His 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists were crucial for the win.

If I were Billy Donovan, I would be looking at Paul George and Carmelo Anthony and telling them to understand this is Westbrook’s team. If they fit in with him, they will win so much more than they lose. Westbrook is going to go down as one of the best point guards ever – he needs to be himself for the Thunder to win.

NEXT POST: Grading Thunder’s performance in win over Denver