OKC Thunder solid play has quietly flown under radar at quarter mark – progress report

How safe is T-Ferg’s starting job?

Terrance Ferguson‘s season was going swimmingly well, until his injury.

T-Ferg had established his own niche on the team. Ferguson became Billy Donovan’s go-to defender for shifty guards, especially when Donovan wasn’t confident the Westbrook-Schroder pairing could hold their own against the likes of Devin Booker. With Abrines being slowly shifted to small forward so he wouldn’t form a bleeding backcourt with Schroder, T-Ferg at least knew he was at least next in line to Roberson.

And Ferguson has been performing well. He features in nine out of the Thunder’s top ten best three-man lineups.

But then, Hamidou Diallo exploded out of nowhere. Pound-for-pound, Ferguson and Diallo seem quite similar. But Diallo’s upside seems a little higher. Ferguson understands defensive schemes better, but Diallo switches more comfortably across from point guard to small forward and is generally more comfortable initiating offense by himself.

There’s not much difference in terms of on-court production between the two now, so playing time will probably be a function of each of their perceived potential. Diallo’s injury gives Ferguson a little breathing space, but only so much. Luwawu-Cabarrot and Burton are more than ready to pounce on playing time. The time from now till Dre’s return will be telling of who makes the playoff rotation.

In the meantime, here’s a fun reminder of just how insanely athletic the Thunder’s seventh-choice wing player is. And also a reminder of what Raymond Felton‘s dribble penetrations look like today.