Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder aren’t worried about mid-season blues

By Joshua Lea

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - DECEMBER 31: Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 31, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - DECEMBER 31: Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 31, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The OKC Thunder have a less than stellar January schedule on the calendar. The team and fans should be careful about falling into a mid-season blue period.

The OKC Thunder are not in a position to relax this winter. In fact, they should take this time to win as many games as possible. However, motivation is a funny thing. There are not many games for the Thunder to get hyped about this month. Other than the revenge factor, playing Sacramento, Brooklyn and Detroit have no effect on OKC.

The OKC Thunder are not suffering the mid-season blues after last night against the Los Angeles Lakers. A game in which the Thunder put up 133 points to the Lakers 96. The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that the Thunder should beat regardless of Lonzo Ball plays or not. In fact, the only games the Thunder should be watching out for are Cleveland and possibly Washington.

The OKC Thunder should be trashing these lesser teams. The Thunder have to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are just better than these teams. Beating the Sacramento’s and Brooklyn’s are key to being a more complete team come playoff time.

January, February, and March are the most difficult months in the NBA in my opinion. You’re just ready for the playoffs at this point. However, with the Thunder, you’re not sure how this team will fare during the playoffs. We could either see the team that beat Houston and Golden State, or the team that lost to Dallas and Milwaukee at home.

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If the NBA playoffs started today, the Thunder would be matched with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, the Wolves would have home-court advantage. I’m not saying that home-court would be the determining factor in a seven-game series between these two teams. However, the OKC Thunder should strive for home-court during the first round at least. This is why it’s important for the Thunder to focus on getting better every game.

The clear-cut first goal for the Thunder is getting Andre Roberson 100% healthy. The nicknamed (by me) James Harden stopper is going to be a key piece for OKC’s starting five. Roberson’s presence with the starting five gives the bench unit unity as well.

Secondly, the Thunder must work on getting Alex Abrines into playoff form. That means no fouling three-point shooters or fouling with 18 seconds on the clock. Abrines’ three-point shooting is a huge piece of the puzzle involving the success of the second unit. His 38% shooting on the season isn’t ideal, although, he has shown what he can do when his number is called this season.

The OKC Thunder will be a surprise team in the playoffs. However, getting there is going to be the journey.

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