OKC Thunder player grades: failure to execute early costs at the end
Best Opponent:
DE'AARON FOX. A. . PG. Sacramento Kings
Yeah, yeah Shump lit up the Thunder early and Buddy had a big night too. Fox had a very rough shooting night as well. But make no mistake it was Fox who kept pushing pace early, read the situation to perfection and dished 13 perfect dimes to his squad. ‘
I’m a big advocate of the Nemanja Bjelica being the Kings x-factor this season. In spite of all those truths, Fox captained the ship and was the master of the Thunder demise, even cementing the game with two key free throws in clutch time.
And, as Westbrook seemingly drew more energy from the angst and trouble he was stirring up, it was Fox who stood toe to toe with him.
This kid is special and will be a star in years to come. If you could create a prototype of a point guard with equal parts Westbrook and Mike Conley I suspect the product might come eerily close to Fox.