OKC Thunder In the News: Peake food quality and PG’s intriguing request

OKC Thunder In the news delves into where the Peake placed in food safety standards, severed family ties, and PG’s growing comfort level.

It was a newsworthy week for the OKC Thunder. They lost two games in a row, played a back-to-back set, and rebounded against the Clippers. That was just what occurred on the hardwood. Off the court, articles were published breaking down arena food standards, PG’s rising comfort level, and Schroder’s floater.

With that, let’s jump into the news.

Turnovers, Turnovers, and Turnovers.

The Thunder defeated the Clippers for the second consecutive contest inside the Peake. TI scribe Lawrence George broke down the game and provided player grades.

"Using aggressive defense from the outset, OKC forced 26 Clippers turnovers and accumulated 11 steals in the contest to win the points off turnover battle 22-10 and fast break points 20-10. The Thunder obliterated the Clippers for 54 points inside with Steven Adams and Jerami Grant wrecking havoc on LA’s big’s."

George highlighted the fact OKC forced 26 Clippers turnovers. Oklahoma City is the only team in the NBA to force 20 or more turnovers in ten or more games. No other team has accomplished that feat more than eight times.

Coincidently, the Clippers are the only team who have not forced their opponent into 20 or more turnovers this season.

Peake Food Standards

ESPN’s outlet Outside the Lines did a comprehensive breakdown of the 111* venues that house each team in the four major sports, basketball, hockey, football, and baseball. The report found that Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the OKC Thunder ranked eighth among NBA teams and 27th overall. Aside from stale popcorn, I have not encountered any food issues while attending a Thunder game.

*Four venues did not have enough data to be included

The report found the Peake had 14 high-level violations among the 76 outlets inspected. Violations include, but are not limited to; invalid licenses, partially cooked food and inadequate lighting. The best and worst venues overall belong to the NBA, as Oracle arena placed first, with only one high-level violation out of 89 inspected outlets.

While Spectrum Center, home of the Hornets placed last overall with an astounding 23 high-level violations among 25 outlets inspected.

Anthony Roberson’s tenure with the Blue concludes

Thunderous Intentions broke the news that Anthony Roberson, brother of Andre Roberson signed with the OKC Blue, the Thunder’s G-League affiliate. However, after four appearances from the undrafted 24-year-old guard, the Blue placed his contract on waivers.

Roberson is currently an unrestricted free agent. At this point, it’s unlikely to see him pop up on an NBA roster. He could end up with a peripatetic basketball career playing overseas or with another G-League squad.

PG’s perplexing request and growing comfort level

When watching Paul George, it’s easy to see he is a rhythm player. George executes offensive sets with smooth precision and rarely forces the issue. Hence, this tidbit from ESPN’s Royce Young perfectly fits PG’s playing style:

"A Few Weeks into last season, Paul George had a polite request for Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan. Stop running plays for me."

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The fact George would make such a request is intriguing, and further demonstrates why he and running mate Russell Westbrook mesh so well together. It is said opposites attract, in the dynamics of Russ and PG, the phrase could not be more accurate.

Comfort zone

In the same ESPN piece, Young discussed PG’s rising comfort level. Citing how team personal reference George’s comfort level as the biggest difference in the All-Star small forward from his first year to his second year in Oklahoma City.

"THE BUZZWORD AROUND George this season has been “comfortable.” Ask anyone around the team what the difference has been, and they note his increased comfort level and a stronger leadership role."

As Royce pointed out, PG’s added comfort has helped catapult George into the MVP conversation. Last year at a Nike jersey release event, George said he is going for it, with it being MVP hardware. This time around PG is taking a more modest approach, telling Young winning MVP is not his focus, playing hard is, if that makes him the MVP so be it.

The story behind Schroder’s floater

Dennis Schroder has one of the NBA’s most deadly floaters, Erik Horne of the Oklahoman broke down the origin of Schroder’s go-to move in his arsenal:

"Schroder’s lessons began in Germany under his youth coach, Liviu Calin, and were completed in Atlanta under Mike Budenholzer. Schroder truly became comfortable with the shot two or three years into the league when Budenholzer, a former San Antonio assistant, instructed him to watch tape of Spurs legend Tony Parker."

Horne noted Schroder is shooting 29-50, 50.8 percent on shots defined as floaters. Last season through 27 games Schroder shot 53.1 percent (17-32) on floaters. In 2016-17, the German guard shot 47.8 percent (22-46) on floaters through 27 contests.

Schroder’s floater is an efficient and effective shot it’s become a staple within the OKC Thunder offense. Baring an injury, the Menace will continue to float his nearly unguardable shot up all season to the delight of his current and former coaches.

That’s it for Thunder in the news, Sunday, December 12, edition. Check on Monday as TI will have you covered with full game day coverage. As the Thunder battle the Chicago Bulls in the second and final meeting of the season.