Today’s OKC Thunder in the News is a mix of positive of negative thoughts. Because if they can’t be consistent, why do I have to?
Happy gameday Thunder Nation! Today happens to be a special one for Oklahoma City – it’s their first opportunity to host a game on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This is a special holiday in the NBA world because of the League’s incredibly diverse staff (players, coaches, executives, etc.). OKC hosting a game is a testament to the organizations efforts to promote Dr. King’s message, one of inclusion and peace.
Remember that as you enjoy this beautiful game tonight.
Andre Roberson out again tonight
Sadly the Thunder will be without an important piece for the eighth straight game. Andre Roberson is still unable to play, but he was able to go through a light practice yesterday. In a normal world OKC should still be able to defeat a poor Kings team pretty handily, but this world isn’t normal. Remember: they lost in Sacramento earlier this season. Be careful going into this game with high expectations.
"The Thunder is 3-4 in Roberson’s absence, snapping a three-game losing streak on Saturday with a 101-91 win in Charlotte."
Paul George needs to step up for the Thunder to thrive
If Oklahoma City is going to make any noise in the Playoffs it’s because Paul George will become a legitimate superstar second option. While he has the superstar talent, George’s effort discrepancies from game-to-game have severely hurt both him and his team’s overall play. That’s why I agree with Matt Craig – if PG consistently plays up to his capabilities the Thunder will be tough to beat.
"But there hasn’t been a single player whose performance, and effort, has fluctuated as much as Paul George."
And so the trade rumors begin…
We’ve looked at two missing players for the Thunder, now it’s time to turn our attention to a possible addition. I’ve tweeted about Marco Belinelli before, and now our writer Lawrence George wrote a full article on it. Oklahoma City desperately needs a shooter off the bench – Alex Abrines isn’t going to cut it in the Playoffs. Read what Lawrence has to say about Marco, because once you do, you’ll likely be on board with acquiring him.
"Now 42 games into the 2017-18 season, Atlanta has publicly made Belinelli available, seeking a high second round pick for the sharpshooter."
Next: Previewing Thunder's MLK Day matchup with Sacramento
That’s it for today’s issue of Thunder in the News! I’ll be back tonight for your recap and player grades – make sure to navigate Thunderous Intentions prior to the game to catch you up on everything Oklahoma City related.