Game Preview: How the OKC Thunder can take advantage of the bickering Warriors

Tonight the OKC Thunder will test their top five defense against the Dubs top ranked offense. Will the end result differ from the season opener?

Prior to their second matchup with the Kings, the OKC Thunder were rolling against lower-tier teams. However, considering the Kings sit one game over .500, 17 games into the 2018-19 campaign, perhaps they are not so lowly anymore.

Due to Sacramento’s scoring outburst led by Iman Shumpert and Buddy Hield, OKC’s second-place defensive rating dropped to fourth. Trailing the Celtics, Grizzlies, and the Pacers. Taking into account the Warriors possess the top offensive rating (OFF-RTG) at 114.7. And their OFF-RTG is seven points greater than the Kings, Oklahoma City’s defense could be in for a long night inside Oracle.

Turning attention to the Dubs chemistry

The Warriors are currently caught between a rock and a hard place, as they have lost four of their last five contests. The Dubs are not playing well right now, while most cite injuries or internal conflict as the reason for their slippage, the latter seems to be more prominent.

However, the chemistry issues between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green are not new. They have plagued Golden State since KD’s inaugural season in Oakland. Let’s run down a list of Durant and Draymond’s dust-ups:

• January 6, 2017: KD and Draymond share heated exchange after GS blew 24-point lead vs. Grizzlies.
• February 4, 2017: Draymond and KD had another scuffle one month later against the Sacramento Kings.
• June 9, 2018: David West reveals there were chemistry problems that will blow the public’s minds.
• October 17, 2018: Tony Durant, KD’s brother posted an Instagram comment indicating KD will leave Golden State.
• November 12, 2018: Durant and Green have yet another heated during the fourth quarter of an eventual OT loss to the LA Clippers.

Draymond took heat for the remarks he directed towards KD during the Clippers match, but at the same time, Green’s comments are justifiable. Green simply took the Jimmy Butler approach of being brutally honest. Players should not be criticized for honesty. Sometimes the truth hurts. Draymond knows how the Warriors acquired KD, through borderline tampering and recruitment.

Therefore, Green knows KD will have one foot out the door on his team. Hence, why Draymond was so upset with his teammate, the situation demonstrates the sweet revenge of Karma, but do not enjoy it too much Thunder Nation, because drama can occur in any locker room at any time.