After a difficult month of November, the OKC Thunder are showing signs of life as a team. It appears that they are turning a page towards the top of the Western Conference.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have won eight of their last 10 games, outshining teams in crunch time. They are not blowing teams out by 20 every night – perhaps that’s how Billy Donovan wants it.
Donovan is changing and undoing years of habits formed by his newest superstars. He’s taking Iso-Melo and turning him into catch-and-shoot Melo. As if that isn’t enough, Carmelo is actually listening and responding. Against Houston on Christmas Day, the 12-time All Star shot 8-of-12 from the floor, 2-of-4 from three and finished the game with 20 points.
This step back in the offense allows Russell Westbrook to be Russell Westbrook. We all know and love this Westbrook. The Westbrook that attacks the rim, the Westbrook that makes that face at his opponents like it’s a battle cry.
The Thunder are playing to their strengths. More importantly, they are winning games. They’ve only lost three games in December and have won eight of their last 10.
Granted, the style of play isn’t as flashy as many would like. The closeness of these games isn’t desired either. However, close games are preparation for the Playoffs. The game will slow down in the postseason and the defensive intensity will turn up. However, OKC has displayed playoff-level defense all season long.
Head coach Billy Donovan is surviving those that are calling for his head. I must admit even I have said they need a change in coaching at one point this season. However, a man can admit when he is wrong. And I was wrong indeed.
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When the players all buy-in collectively it eliminates doubt. In the case of Carmelo Anthony, he is directly seeing the results come into play. Let’s not forget that Anthony has had some interesting situations with former coaches. I’m not here to judge or say who was at fault. However, it appears he is trusting Donovan.
The Philadelphia 76ers have used the hashtag “Trust the process” for a few years now. The process refers to tanking until a Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons falls in your lap. With OKC, we’ve heard Billy Donovan talk about the journey. He’ll say things like it’s a season-long journey. Donovan often calls on his players to go on a journey to get better. That’s why the OKC Thunder should adopt the hashtag “Trust the Journey” in honor of the slow and steady turn around this team has demonstrated throughout the month of December.
If the players are “trusting the journey” and adjusting to Billy Donovan’s schemes. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the league is wise to how efficient this team can be. In fact, it’s already beginning to show as the Thunder continue to move up the standings..