Quin Snyder has won the coaching battle – big time:
Although it would be easy to point to the players and place all the blame on their heads, the reality is the coach must bear the brunt of these lackluster performances. If the OK3 can’t score in the fourth quarter, then put someone in who can.
If the Thunder plus Paul George reserve lineup isn’t producing then go with Melo or Russ in this situation. They call it adjustments for a reason – make them Billy!
Thunder killing themselves with off-the-dribble mid-range, & not only in late-clock situations. Felton & George took a few terrible shots late in the 3rd.
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) April 22, 2018
Play Patterson:
Patrick Patterson was one of the better Thunder players last night, yet once again Donovan inexplicably went away from him down the stretch. It’s simple math here. If Carmelo isn’t or can’t score then why the heck are you keeping him on the floor in the clutch? At least with Patterson you’ve got a solid defender, a floor spacer and someone who’ll force the Jazz to move.
Although Patterson was a negative 10, much of that came while playing with the starters. In comparison Melo was a negative 20. Moreover, Patterson scored eight points going perfect from the field (3 of 3) and connected on both his treys. If you play back the film, repeatedly you’ll note Patterson was wide open standing in the corner while Paul George dribbled the ball directly into two or three waiting opponents. This is partly on PG, but Donovan needs to point it out.
So surprise - Sixers lead the playoffs in both player & ball movement. pic.twitter.com/IyoQlJpm2k
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) April 19, 2018
Move the ball:
It’s also not a new narrative that the OKC Thunder aren’t moving the ball or themselves. At their best the Thunder are whipping the ball around the perimeter, making cuts or moving the ball inside out. At their worst they stand in quicksand staring at one of Westbrook or George as they drive into traffic.
This simply has to change. Entering Game 4 the OKC Thunder rank tied in 14th for assists with 18.3 per game. In contrast their opponent are dishing 21.3 per game. Moreover the Thunder rank dead last for assist ratio (14.4) and 15th on assist percentage (48.2%). The only team worse? The team who is fishing (Blazers).
This all comes back to Donovan not wanting to tick off his stars. Well Billy, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you don’t tick off Melo now to get the wins it won’t matter. George will bolt in the offseason and some other coach who isn’t afraid to tell Melo he’s going to be the Thunder’s sixth man will take over the helm next season!