The Great OKC Thunder Comeback – 3 Takeaways following OKC’s Houdini act against Brooklyn

Rise of the Young Guns

Jerami Grant and Ferguson were two unsung heroes of yesterdays game. Sure, their box scores don’t jump off the page with the pair contributing just 13 points and six rebounds but it was the timely buckets and defensive plays that should impress the Thunder fan base. Oklahoma City continue to lack perimeter shooting with the roster comprised of defensive-minded wings but that was what the doctor ordered in Brooklyn.

Jerami Grant

Plagued by foul trouble throughout, Jerami Grant has continued to improve since his arrival to Oklahoma City with his perimeter defense and elite athleticism a hallmark of his game. However, his greatest improvement this season has been his 3-point shooting.

Prior to the season, I was clamoring for Patrick Patterson to start and while 2-Pat generally hits his stride (oddly) post All-Star break, has been largely outplayed by Grant. The 24 year-old is playing excellent one on one and team defense but is connecting on a surprising 36.6 percent of his treys on 3.1 attempts. Grant is not a perimeter sniper by any means but he understands where he shoots best from – the corners.

With momentum shifting heavily in OKC’s favor, Grant hit a timely three from the right corner to bring OKC to within two with less than three minutes remaining.

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This is a remarkable show of faith from PG since he was cooking. Grant missed his first three 3-point attempts but showed magnificent resolve and trust in his ability to make it count. He has become an integral piece of what Oklahoma City are trying to do and yesterday was another great example of how much his game has evolved since arriving to the Mid-West two seasons ago.

Terrance Ferguson

TFerg continues to struggle shooting the long ball, converting on just 27.4 percent of his attempts but isn’t shy letting the ball fly but this is more about his defensive improvement. In just one year, the 20 year-old has gone from a lottery on defense to a superb one on one defender trusted with guarding the opponents best offensive player.

Two things stood out from yesterdays game:

• TFerg’s renewed confidence to attack the rim with authority instead of settling solely for outside jumpers.
• His defense is outstanding and is integral to the defensive identity of OKC.

Last season, TFerg would have let it fly instead of going hard to the cup. Off a Westbrook feed, Ferguson attacks the rim along the base line and slams it home.

With 8:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, Tferg calls for the ball with confidence. Russ hits him in rhythm and Tferg makes the open trey.

For TFerg’s defensive highlights, check out his play in the gifs shared previously. His length and athleticism fits OKC’s defensive strategy perfectly. He is fouling less and worked out not to foul 3-point shooters!

If Ferguson can figure out his jumper, he will be an integral piece of the franchise moving forward.