Player Grades: OKC Thunder failure to play to defensive identity results in loss to Bulls

OKC Thunder fail to bring their defensive mindset to Chicago or summon the full comeback effort and pay with a loss to the Bulls.

Tempting fate is never a wise choice and the OKC Thunder found this out the hard way with a loss to the Chicago Bulls.

On the heels of a huge comeback effort over the Brooklyn Nets perhaps the Thunder got in their own heads thinking they could perform the same magic act in Chicago, but this game should serve as a reminder to never take any team for granted. It’s an old adage but none the less true – ANY team can win on ANY given night.

In fairness this game had ‘trap game’ written all over it given the Bulls record and current situation. As outlined in the preview the Bulls were in the midst of integrating new head coach Jim Boylen and have a slew of contributing players out. Sure, Lauri Markkanen was back back, but even he is still shaking off rust. No doubt this was the thinking on the Thunder side of the floor.

Entering the match the Thunder had yet to lose to a sub .500 team which perhaps is another reason they felt inpenetrable. But, on this night at least three clubs were treated to the same reminder as those same Nets that Paul George overcame took down the Raptors in overtime and the Hornets beat the Nuggets (although – I’m not as low on Charlotte as most).

Hey, this league has much more parity and every squad is capable of producing a win on any given night.

Now – with all due respect to the Bulls and their effort the reality is the Thunder lost this game because they failed to impose their will and play to their identity. The top ranked defense was no where to be found, particularly in the first half when Chicago scored 70 points.  Bad team, good team, great team – never mind, ANY team can win if you allow them to score 70 points in a half. It serves to give a team confidence and it’s much harder to plug a free flowing faucet than it is a minor leak.

Let’s not say it’s time to panic, because for the most part this iteration of the Thunder have learned their lesson from a season ago. Still, on an evening when a win could’ve vaulted the Thunder to the top of Western Conference ladder, instead the loss pushes them back down to fourth. Such is the state of the sardine packed west.

Let’s look at the grades.