OKC Thunder In the news – OK3 role definition and acceptance fueling change
OKC Thunder In the news for December 23 finds Thunder Nation awaking to discover the team ascended to fifth seed.
Historically the Western Conference is a dog eat dog environment and until last season the OKC Thunder were a team who easily captured a home court seed. This year it was assumed the newly formed roster might take some time to get rolling. But no one imagined the offense would take this long to gel.
Fortunately for the OK3 an the Thunder the West this season has acted uncharacteristically like the Eastern Conference typically does. That is, there are three teams in the East who consistently perform (Boston, Cleveland, Toronto) and maintain their positions. The remainder fluctuate up and down the ladder with two groups typically forming in the middle of the ladder and another group between the sixth and tenth seeds. Mind you with the Celtics recent regression they may slip, but it shouldn’t be significant to fall outside the top four seeds, especially with the wins they accumulated early.
This season the West is emulating this practice which is fortunate for Thunder Nation. To wit, just last week the OKC Thunder recaptured the bottom playoff rung. Flash forward a week and suddenly OKC rank fifth and are on the precipice of climbing into a home court position. Going nine and three in twelve games will do that.
As we look scan hot takes and articles for In the news there are some hints as to why the shift is happening.
Anthony is accepting his role:
It has been a hot debate at Thunderous Intentions since season start how Melo would and should fit on this roster. At times, it’s felt like a bench role might be better suited to the notorious iso-sniper. Other weeks, the team has pondered if the issue has more to do with how Anthony is functioning when he’s on the court, rather than who he is playing beside.
And, of course there is the defense versus offense dilemma which has plagued the squad all season.
In the game versus the Hawks Friday night. Anthony broke loose from the perimeter connecting on seven triples, primarily in a catch and shoot role. Word comes today Melo is accepting this method is best for OKC to succeed. More importantly, he’s determined to accept that role definition. Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript offers this Anthony quote:
Melo on playing more off the ball: “It’s just a matter of accepting that role. That’s all it is...I said something in New York about everyone needs to figure out what their roles need to be on the team. I think I figured out what my role would be.” pic.twitter.com/gHVO5G8v8j
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) December 23, 2017
Adding credence to why Anthony changing to being less of a ball handler and playmaker is the Bleacher Reports scribe Alec Nathan who offers compelling proof.
"He’s also shooting 46.7 percent on all shots that haven’t been preceded by a dribble. Conversely, he’s shooting below 40 percent from the field on all shots that required between two and six dribbles to set up."
Donovan confirms OKC Thunder style and role definition are root of shift:
Brett Dawson of the News OK added further credence to the the fact this has been the desired direction Head Coach Billy Donovan wanted Melo to take (perhaps for a while). Repeatedly, Donovan has spoken of how difficult assimilating has been particularly for Carmelo Anthony and Paul George who are used to being ‘the guy”.
"Westbrook finished with 30 points, seven rebounds and 15 assists. Carmelo Anthony scored 24 points and made 7 of 12 3-pointers, matching his season high in made 3s, a game that Thunder coach Billy Donovan called “100 percent” the way he’d like Anthony to play.The Thunder made 53.7 percent of its shots and 52 percent of its 3-pointers (13 of 25), both season highs."
MVP Russ returns:
Let’s factor in we’ve seen a significant shift in Westbrook during this 9-3 stretch which culminated in the fifth seed berth. Clearly part of the early problems in OKC was Westbrook was anxious. This was most evident when Westbrook rushed shots, forced the action or didn’t play what for him is a typical style — read: aggressive style.
Habits are the hardest things to break for NBA Players, particularly in stressful situations. The natural tendency is to fall back into what is comfortable. Clearly Westbrook was laser focused on getting his cohorts touches and easing their transition. It speaks to how committed Westbrook was that he was allowing his own game to suffer.
Slowly, but surely there has been a shift away from that thinking and a movement more toward Westbrook playing ‘his’ game.
The key does seem to lie in the choice by Westbrook and Donovan to let him play with more freedom. When all three of the OK3 were adjusting the result was too much confusion, or rather too much change. Practically, if one of the three could just play their normal game it left fewer changes to make. So far it seems to be working.
Since the Magic game (excluding the game at MSG) Westbrook is taking a more aggressive approach and it’s paid dividends. Albeit, there are still copious road blocks to overcome, but the pendulum feels like it has swung.
News of George having stiffness is a bit disconcerting, but it also offers hope he’ll find his range and efficiency sooner than later.
Getting the job done:
Problem areas for the OKC Thunder have revolved around holding leads, beating lower seeded (or talented) squads, clutch time performance, pace winning games within five points and offensive rigor mortis. Although nothing is set in stone and stumbles will continue the recent uptick in wins speaks to the team making small improvements.
Case in point, seven of the nine wins were within five points (one was six). Two were overtime victories. And, despite still losing leads the OKC Thunder also demonstrated the ability to fight for the win or claw their way back for the win.
Sharing in the momentum is my cohort Tony Heim who serves up the post game grades and game round up from the win over the Hawks.
"With 11 seconds left, Russ calmly dribbled at the top of the key. He waited, and waited, and waited, then (*Mike Breen voice) BANG. A quick pull-up three over second-year guard Taurean Prince put the Thunder up three with 1.7 seconds left. And with that, we witnessed our first Thunder game-winner of the season."
Jazz first , but Rockets loom:
No doubt the Utah Jazz will be seeking revenge tonight after the 107-79 beat down he Thunder leveled on the squad this week. And, while the Thunder can’t afford to get ahead of themselves the game after presents a litmus test of sorts.
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- 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
That being the Christmas day game versus the Rockets. This opponent was always going to provide a measuring stick, but with the Rockets falling prey to an LA sweep the ante has been upped.
James Harden and crew have lost just six times this entire season. Prior to the Lakers – Clippers losses Houston had lost just once (Raptors) since the end of October. In an odd twist the Rockets who have been the darlings of the NBA and avoiding the microscopic inspection OKC has endured. are now questioning how their star (Harden) could score 51 points in back to back games, yet still lose both matches.
With Anthony breaking out versus the Hawks and Westbrook appearing on track, George having a big game against Houston sure would be a sweet treat.
That wraps up in the news for December 23. 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.
OKC Thunder In the news – OK3 role definition and acceptance fueling change