OKC Thunder star Paul George will carry burden of season start with Russell Westbrook and Andre Roberson both potentially missing time due to injury.
Paul George returns for his second season with the OKC Thunder carrying more of a burden to lead his squad. That’s because of uncertainty regarding when Russell Westbrook will return following another arthroscopic knee procedure. Couple that with Andre Roberson still recovering.
Andre Roberson injury update:
NBA TV analyst David Aldridge updates on several core players in terms of their injuries and how it affects their squads. Although Westbrook is the player who all Thunder Nation will be anxious to see suit up another equally imperative player missing from the rotation is Andre Roberson.
Aldridge states ARob will be on site for training camp, but has yet to be cleared for contact or five on five play.
"The 26-year-old Roberson will be with the team when camp begins. He has been with the Thunder all summer and been on the floor doing drill work and shooting, though he is not yet cleared for either contact work or five on five play. The Thunder will obviously be conservative with him as he nears his return to play. But the important part is that Roberson is progressing toward a return. It’s simple: OKC craters defensively when he isn’t on the court. When Roberson was on the court last season, the Thunder’s Defensive Rating was 96.4. When he was off the floor, that number soared to 107.6."
NBA panel query who has early season burden:
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 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
The panel at NBA.com dove into their blog table question of the day asking which player has the most to prove at season start. For the four panelist the OKC Thunder was top of mind both in terms of current and former players.
Sekou Smith and Shaun Powell both point to recently departed Carmelo Anthony. The forward who never quite fit in the OKC Thunder system, but continually stated his game still ranks among the best will need to make his actions match up to his words.
Powell also points to Paul George as another who’ll need to start the season strong. Much of this is based on Russell Westbrook potentially missing time at season start after undergoing an arthroscopic knee procedure. It may all be a moot point if Westbrook returns in line with the initially projected timelines.
Smith points to Melo’s difficulty in the OKC Thunder system, but notes how easily Chris Paul transitioned and his belief Houston will be more successful.
"They should be better equipped to manage Anthony’s transition than the Thunder were. Still, there’s the chance that this whole thing goes sideways. And that alone will keep plenty of attention on the goings on in Houston this season. He’s been an easy target before, in his departures from Denver, New York and Oklahoma City, so there’s no reason to believe ‘Melo will escape that same fate if things go awry in Houston. Call me crazy, but I think things work out much better with the Rockets."
Four more sleeps until the OKC Thunder reconvene for Media Day and five until Training Camp opens.
Get some rest Thunder Nation as we’ll have plenty of insight and updates coming your way about your favorite team and players in preparation.