Welcome to the OKC Thunder Optimism Meter, a post for Oklahoma City fans unsure of their feelings about the most inconsistent team in basketball.
For the first time in The Optimism Meter’s brief history, I have no idea what to think/how to rank this team as I begin this post. The last time we congregated, the Thunder had lost two straight to end 2017. They didn’t have Andre Roberson, and they were fresh off a six-game win streak. I wasn’t all that worried.
And then the overall energy levels drastically dropped.
Two wins against vagabond Los Angeles teams’ were followed by another streak of losses. Oklahoma City was blown out three games in a row – the power of the Lowkey MVP had finally unveiled itself to the casual fan. That’s what makes writing this so difficult.
The Thunder haven’t had the arguable Defensive Player of the Year. They publicly admit they aren’t playing with the mentality they need to win on a nightly basis. Both are major reasons to feel confident in this team come the Playoffs, but that lack of energy weighs heavily on my mind.
Let me explain.
Thoughts behind the ranking
Here’s the thing: the Thunder don’t have time to take days off, let alone multiple games in a row. Their “contender” label has nothing to do with what they’ve shown – it’s their potential on both ends of the floor. The regular season was meant for them to work out as many kinks as possible. But when they play with the energy of a non-Playoff team at the backend of the season, progress can’t occur. If anything this team has only regressed in the New Year.
That starts with Paul George.
Ever since Roberson went out with knee tendinitis George has looked disinterested on the defensive end. Oklahoma City needed him to step up and take on a bigger role, especially with Russell Westbrook taking full reigns of the Thunder offense. Instead he’s been lackluster while fighting through screens, playing help-side defense and all the other little things that win games. The real fear comes when you examine his play when OKC visited Los Angeles.
Next: Thunder trade series: Marco Belinelli
George was aggressive from the tip in both games, most noticeably against the Lakers. PG dropped a combined 55 points on 21-30 shooting – his love for his city and the Staples Center was apparent. Since then he’s failed to shoot over 50% in any game, nor has he recorded more than one steal in the past four contests (George leads the NBA in steals with 2.2 per game).
I’ve been steadfast that PG won’t leave for LA unless another star is joining him. With LeBron James noticeably irritated in Cleveland, that premonition is becoming more and more probable. I don’t like it at all.
But here’s where my optimism remains: Russell Westbrook’s powers are only growing and Andre Roberson is not playing. When Dre is on the floor the Thunder have the best defense in the entire NBA. His return should fix a lot of OKC’s defensive problems, solely because they will have their perimeter communicator back in the fold. It’s Westbrook’s play that truly has me fired up though.
The reigning League MVP has had exactly two games shooting under 40% since that six-game win streak began. As he continues to dominate games on the offensive end, the wins should pile up (assuming Dre returns sooner rather than later). The NBA is a game where the best players tend to win Playoff series, and few look better than Russ at this moment.
The Optimism Meter ranking
The first ever Optimism Meter was set at 6.1; the second was a solid 7.2. The third, aka this post, finds us somewhere in the middle. I’m thinking, I’m thinking, I’m thinking…
6.4.
If Russell Westbrook brings this play into the postseason the OKC Thunder are going to be a tough out for any team. Russ’ ceiling is higher than any player in the League not named LeBron James – it’s the main reason a career 43% shooter is in the conversation for top-five players alive.
More from Thunderous Intentions
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- 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
Not having Andre Roberson has killed the defense, but they started to slide even before he had to sit out. That lack of energy truly is disheartening for a team with such high aspirations, especially one that’s led by Westbrook.
I get it. It’s difficult to get excited for games in the middle of an 82-game season. The fact they’ve prevailed against some of the League’s best teams is a positive sign for the Playoffs. Yes as the losses pile up, so does the chances of OKC getting a 4/5 seed and a potential date with Golden State in the second round.
We have to be brutally honest with ourselves. Do you trust this team to win every night they hit the floor? The answer should be a resounding no. And because of that, the OKC Thunder Optimism Meter took a hit after the second week of 2018.