All it takes is one significant statistic to make you truly believe in this OKC Thunder come-up.
Happy Gameday Thunder Nation! We are 47 games into the season and I can finally say I wake up with an extra pep in my step when I know Oklahoma City is in action. The Wizards are the only thing standing in the way of OKC’s second six-game win streak of the season. If you believe in the statistic I’m about to unveil, they shouldn’t be a worry.
Correct it all you want Royce
That’s right folks – the Houston Rockets aren’t the only team with an undefeated record when certain players are available. The Thunder’s starting lineup has been dominant when playing together, with wins against Houston, Toronto and Cleveland during this stretch. Now if they can just figure out the bench inconsistency OKC could be a legitimate threat by the Playoffs. Which brings me to post #2.
Correction: The Thunder are 14-0 since Dec. 1 when all five starters play.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) January 24, 2018
An intriguing AND realistic trade proposal
FanSided’s The Step Back is doing an interesting exercise in which every team in the League is a part of 1 of 15 trade ideas. The Thunder got matched up with the Heat in a non-headline-making deal, one which could actually come to fruition by the trade deadline. To acquire Wayne Ellington would give OKC a consistent three-point marksmen off the bench while only losing out on Alex Abrines, a player who has already been passed over in the rotation by 19-year old Terrance Ferguson.
Final thoughts: I like the deal, but I’d rather have Presti acquire a bigger, greater impacting name.
"Ellington’s a middle of the road defender, but a lights-out shooter. He’s fourth in the entire league in made 3’s, behind only James Harden, Klay Thompson, and Steph Curry."
No Ferguson or Abrines in Rising Stars Challenge
The transitions have been seamless today. We’re going to continue discussing Abrines/Ferguson because neither player was named to the Rising Stars Challenge last night. My co-expert Tamberlyn Richardson details why a talented crop of rookies combined with inconsistent minutes likely kept the duo from making an appearance. If anything, this is an indictment of Abrines’ regression as he played in the game last season as a rookie.
"Perhaps it’s not that surprising Terrance Ferguson didn’t make the cut to be included in the Rising Stars rookie – sophomore game."
Next: Previewing tonight's matchup with the Wizards
That’s it for today’s issue of Thunder in the News! Want more OKC content to take you away from the drudges of every day life? All you have to do is stay on Thunderous Intentions and your wish will be granted.