For two straight games, I have watched some of the worst rotations in the Billy Donovan era. Here are five “what are you thinking” moments from OKC’s loss.
1. A five-minute stretch with only ONE shooter
In a five minute stretch from the end of the first quarter to the first three minutes of the second, Donovan rolled out Raymond Felton, Alex Abrines, Hamidou Diallo, Jerami Grant and Nerlens Noel.
What in the world?
The Los Angeles Lakers were laughed at all off-season long for their team of misfits and lack of perimeter shooting. Yet, here we are subjected to some of the most unimaginable coaching strategy. Luckily, the Clippers went ice cold after their hot start to the game (7-9 from the field to begin).
2. Substituting Abrines while he was cooking
The Spaniard was OKC’s biggest perimeter threat and scored 10 fast points gaining rhythm and forcing the defense to spread. Then Donovan substitutes him out for PG. Why sub your hottest shooter when he’s clearly torching the Clippers from range?
One major criticism of Donovan is his inability to adjust in game and coaching by the clock. If OKC fans haven’t already noticed, Thunder rotations are very predictable with players checking in and out at the same time every game. While players prefer to know when they’re checking in, the best coaches in the league make decisions on feel. Donovan has yet to show he has that in his coaching repertoire.
3. What happened to the Pick and Roll?
While he may not be on the floor to direct traffic mid-game, Donovan can call plays on the sideline. Pick and Roll was an OKC staple the past two seasons but Oklahoma City refuse to run it for no good reason. With terrific rollers like Noel, Adams and Grant, where are the alley-oops?
The Clippers have a ground bound front court yet the Thunder decided to run next to no pick and roll sets. Someone send them a memo or better yet, get in touch with Donovan.
4. Why have Abrines guarding Lou Williams in the fourth?
Given the Spaniards defensive limitations, it makes zero sense giving Abrines the Lou Williams assignment. Sweet Lou lead the league in fourth quarter points last season with 7.9. While it was Tobias Harris who brought the Clips home with his impressive shot making, Lou started the fourth hitting two quick jumpers including a 3-point bomb placing the Thunder defense on tilt from that point on.
5. Donovan stayed athletic when Boban checked in the fourth
Boban's size has changed this game. The Thunder can't solve how to score in the paint with Boban patrolling down there, and with them shooting miserably, there's no good solution available.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) October 20, 2018
Of all the ridiculous calls he made, this one was the worst. While OKC couldn’t throw a tic tic in the ocean from range (7-33), the answer wasn’t to go athletic. OKC’s best 3-point shooters are PG, Abrines and Patterson. George shot 3-11, Abrines 2-7 and 2-Pat 1-2. Of the 33 shots, these three only accounted for 20 of them.
Grant is a hustle defender and can’t shoot from anywhere outside 5 feet consistently, Felton is iffy at best while Schroder refuses to shoot the long ball (0-3 on the night). The Thunder were reeling and needed points in a hurry. Instead of deploying a perimeter heavy group, OKC continued to drive in to the paint, a stupid thought when there is a 7-3 man mountain patrolling the paint.
The call for Grant to start are getting louder. However, fans need to remember that he doesn’t have an outside shot to speak of. This decreases spacing and the Thunder need it badly.