Thunderous Intentions
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Thunderous Thoughts: The Thunder are draining me of my energy

By Jeremy Lambert

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 10: The Oklahoma City Thunder huddle before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 10, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 10: The Oklahoma City Thunder huddle before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 10, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 5: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the OKC Thunder looks on before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 5, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Welcome to Thunderous Thoughts, your weekly look at the OKC Thunder where I put in as much effort as the team.

For a team led by a guy who “plays hard on every play,” the Oklahoma City Thunder sure do lack energy in a lot of games. Those aren’t just my words. They are the words of Carmelo Anthony following Tuesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers.

Anthony didn’t need to say it. We all saw it. We’ve all seen it this whole season. Whether it was Sunday against the Suns, down in Mexico against the Nets or a random game against the Magic and Kings. This team doesn’t come out with the fire and passion that they need to compete on a nightly basis.

I just want to know…why?

You know what makes the Golden State Warriors so great, besides their collection of talent? It’s that they know they are getting every teams best shot on every night, they take it, they beat you by 20, and then they laugh at you. As an opposing fan, it’s annoying and disheartening. As an unbiased spectator, it’s fascinating.

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The Thunder get every teams best shot on every night. This is a team and a franchise that other players and teams are envious of, whether they admit it or not. The Thunder have a target on their back thanks to Russell Westbrook’s barking and Sam Presti’s offseason moves. This is a team viewed as a threat. And for a good reason. At their peak, they’ve proven that they can throttle the Warriors.

The problem is, this team only reaches its peak when matched up against the Warriors and Rockets.

Every other team in the league? They are meaningless to the Thunder. Sam Presti built a roster designed to takedown the juggernauts of the NBA, not to be a juggernaut itself.

It’s that kind of lack of focus and energy that has led to an overall disappointing season. Even without a system in place, the talent of Westbrook, Anthony, Paul George and Steven Adams should be enough to overwhelm the likes of Phoenix, Orlando, Brooklyn, Sacramento, etc…. But, you know what they say, hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

Other Thunder Thoughts

More from Thunderous Intentions

*Early in the season, the offense was the problem. Now, the defense is the problem. I know Andre Roberson is out, but something is wrong with the scheme/effort/bench players if one guy kills your entire defense, even if that guy is arguably the best perimeter defender in the league. The Spurs have been missing Kawhi Leonard for the majority of the season and their defense hasn’t suffered.

*It’s understated how much Roberson means to their offense. At least, the offense they were running during their win streak. He’s the worst offensive player of all their guard options, but what he does is more valuable that the shooting of Alex Abrines, Terrance Ferguson and Josh Huestis. His cutting and screening frees up everyone else to get easier shots and creates easier shots for himself.

*Huestis has to start in place of Roberson. He’s the only one who can come close to replicating what Roberson does on both ends. Abrines and Ferguson can’t defend, they get wiped out by defensive screens, trucked offensive screens and their shooting isn’t making up for their negative plays.

*I’d be happy if OKC never played Jusuf Nurkic against. He dominates Steven Adams. The Blazers are 4-0 against the Thunder since they acquired Nurkic last season.

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