OKC Thunder: Reason for optimism – top 5 takeaways from game 1 loss

Please Billy use your depth:

Bench boss Billy Donovan has been ridiculed for his lack of system particularly since Durant exited and especially on the offensive side of the ball. Preseason offered copious sound bites stating a definitive game plan was in place to utilize more tempo.

The thought was Billy D was finally ready to take a step toward showcasing something more detailed, rather than the fundamental sets Thunder Nation was accustomed to. Although in theory this may still be the case there were obvious segments of the contest where OKC stalled seemingly with no true game plan in place.

More concerning was the head coach’s inability to adjust rapidly enough in game to address momentum changes. Once the OKC Thunder inexplicably found another gear to storm back and steal the lead from the Warriors Donovan made what appeared to be two head scratching non moves.

First of all, Terrance Ferguson was cold from the field, hesitant to shoot and often stopping ball movement. Nor was he doing enough defensively to merit keeping him on the floor over the options. Hamidou Diallo played nine minutes and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was a DNP-CD.

More concerning was Donovan’s decision to go with Jerami Grant over Patrick Patterson. Say what you will about 2Pat’s shot being off,  however he scored as much as Grant in 10 fewer minutes. He also out rebounded Grant and delivered defensively. His plus-minus was best among the starters and second to Diallo. Even if Donovan wanted to keep Grant on the court why not adjust by playing a lineup of Schroder, George, Grant, Patterson and Adams? At least the threat of 2Pat hitting the trey exists. whereas no one respects Grant enough to actively close out on him.

Bottom line Sam Presti went out and added this depth for a reason Billy, so use them!