Large breaks in-between games gives OKC Thunder fans the ability to fully introspect about the state of this team.
Oklahoma City got lucky. As teams are gearing up to play the final stretch of the season, the OKC Thunder are in the middle of their 2nd 3-day vacation in as many weeks. Not only does it give them a chance to rest up before the Playoffs, but it allows an inconsistent team to study film and realize what works best.
Like playing Jerami Grant over Carmelo Anthony in crunch-time. What a terrific transition into our first story of the day.
Let’s lessen our expectations for Melo
If only this article had been written before the season and not after Game 75. Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes explained why Carmelo Anthony shouldn’t be the main topic when discussing the Thunder’s failures. It makes sense too.
Melo has been aging and declining for the past few years now. While you can argue his offensive efficiency should have increased playing alongside two stars, it was irrational for us to think the other facets of his game would magically improve. What’s scary is it doesn’t seem like Billy Donovan has noticed.
"No reasonable forecast would have included him playing defense, facilitating or doing anything but score as a third option. That’s what he’s done. That’s who he is."
The seven game series I’m praying doesn’t happen
No Paulo. No you can’t have a Trail Blazers-Thunder Playoff series. While the rest of the world might be clamoring to see these team, we certainly are not. Portland dominated the season series, sweeping OKC in all four games. They have a dominate backcourt that the Thunder simply can’t contain, and a center that is just as massive as Steven Adams. They’re also clicking as a team, something we can’t say with this Thunder team.
I’m begging you Oklahoma City – please don’t fall to the six-seed.
"Can we please have a seven-game series between these two?"
Everything you need to know about Corey Brewer
And finally, we highlight the most recent Heather Koontz piece. Tenured Thunderous Intentions fans know Heather for her in-depth player profiles and fan-focused features. As always she killed her deep-dive into the newest player on the Thunder: Corey Brewer. If you want the full scoop on Brewer’s entire biography just click those blue words above me. I promise you’ll gain more appreciation for OKC’s midseason acquisition.
"The year was 1986. The Oprah Winfrey show just made its debut, Thundercats costumes were all the rage, and—somewhere in the town of Portland, Tennessee—Corey Wayne Brewer was born."
Next: Analyzing the stretch run to the Playoffs
That’s it for today’s issue of Thunder in the News! We’ve got two more days to prep for the ever-crucial matchup in San Antonio on Thursday. Check out our home page as we get you prepped for what to expect in the stretch run of the season.