Isolating the 3 games which changed the OKC Thunder season

Room to grow:

Although the argument may exist there are more relevant moments, in my opinion, these three (particularly the first two) were significant in affecting change. Reasonably, Westbrook would have figured out what he needed to do. But, the acceptance by Anthony was clearly a major factor in propelling the team forward. That’s not to suggest there won’t be appropriate matchups that warrant Melo iso-ball or him working to take advantage of a smaller or less adept matchup.

Also, the natural tendency is for players to resort to habits when under pressure. Since George hasn’t forced the issue to this point it’s unlikely he’ll regress, but Anthony has 15 seasons commandeering and playing iso ball. There are bound to be lapses.

Similarly, the team may find itself Westbrook watching – something which all players have a predisposition to do at least once per game. Then again, raise your hand if you’ve gasped, leaped, or shouted at something when Westbrook does Westbrook-type things. Like this:

Now – re-watch the video and keep an eye on the Bucks bench. Sean Kilpatrick is so taken by the absolute force of Westbrook’s dunk he involuntarily stands up. THAT is precisely what I mean.

Moving Forward:

Ultimately, the most positive takeaway is the net differential is improving as well as growing and the other clear win is the squad is finding a balance on both sides of the floor.

With the movement up the ladder, the goal for the OKC Thunder will be to try to avoid the Warriors until the Conference Finals. To do that, they’ll need to continue building upon the successes gained in December. Anthony will need to get more comfortable with his new role and George must continue to fit into his secondary role and improve upon it.

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

Westbrook will be Westbrook. With that will come some moments when he doesn’t always make the perfect decisions. But, the past month has definitively proven he needs to be the primary guy.

As for Donovan, hopefully, he eventually discovers Patrick Patterson is ready to have the leash removed and play more minutes.

Again, this is a personal belief, but for a coach who loves to tinker it’s beyond me how Donovan hasn’t tweaked the clutch lineup just once to try a defensive rotation of Westbrook, Roberson, George, Patterson, and Adams. How that five wouldn’t challenge the very top defensive clutch lines is beyond me.

With 46 games remaining there will be ample time to experiment.  Of the Thunder’s next 15 games, nine will come against currently unseeded squads.

At least with December and 2017 coming to a close the Thunder and OK3 can enter 2018 feeling confident. Most importantly, as a unit they have established an identity, pecking order and that elusive chemistry is at the precipice of what it will ultimately become.

Here’s to an incredible December Thunder Nation. Bring on 2018!