OKC Thunder show faith in Terrance Ferguson and he’s repaying the favor with interest

Terrance Ferguson is growing up before our very eyes and for the OKC Thunder, it’s a wonderful sight to see.

After being knocked down to the canvas by many OKC Thunder faithful, swingman Terrance Ferguson has picked himself up off the floor and proved all doubters wrong. After just three games into the season, TFerg was forced to delete all social media due to the vitriol he was receiving from fans.

While some contest whether this was true since Ferguson supposedly deleted his social media prior to this tweet, the timing of his online departure is curious. TFerg was shooting 2-15 from the field and 1-11 from three at the time making it a strong possibility.

Russell Westbrook and Billy Donovan have his back

If it weren’t for the support of franchise superstar Russell Westbrook and coach Billy Donovan, who knows if Ferguson could bounce back from the backlash.

In a memorable interview with reporters, TFerg glowing speaks about his late-night shooting session with the Brodie.

Russ understands pressure and criticism that comes with being a high-level NBA player. His willingness to pass on knowledge and build the 20-year-olds confidence after the difficult start kept Ferguson afloat.

Same must be said for coach Donovan whose also had his fair share of doubters during his four years leading OKC. Despite calls for Hamidou Diallo and Alex Abrines to receive Ferguson’s minutes, Billy showed tremendous trust in the youngster by keeping him with the starters.

In an interview on October 22nd, Donovan reiterated his faith in Ferguson’s shot and challenged him to overcome adversity.

"“Terrance to me is a way, way better shooter than what he has shot the ball these three games,” Donovan said. “And I know he’ll be better in that. Part of his growth has got to be, ‘How do I handle adversity?’“To me, the guys with the mental toughness to work through adversity are the guys that really get better. I have confidence in him. But him going through this, he’s got to have that confidence in himself.”"

This was a huge show of faith by Donovan in the face of heavy scrutiny from Oklahoma City’s fan base. As it turns out, the best was yet to come.

Blossoming two-way game

TFerg is evolving into an elite defender

Before Ferguson’s shot began to fall, the sophomore put on a defensive clinic against some of the elite scorers of the NBA. Each night Paul George entrusted the youngster to take on the opposing teams best offensive wing players.

This season, Ferguson has improved his individual net-rating from 108.5 in his rookie season to 100.8 this year. Oklahoma City is the best defensive team in the league with a defensive rating of 102.9.

Check it one of his best defensive sequences this season against the Portland Trailblazers below. TFerg prevents cuts on two different occasions, switches defensive assignments, offers help defense by swiping at the ball handler and follows through by boxing his man out on the missed jumper.

Andre Roberson is constantly coaching Ferguson on the Thunder’s sidelines despite missing the entire so far with a knee injury. As one of the leagues best perimeter defenders, it’s obvious Dre is working closely with the 20-year-old and its working wonders.

Sizzling from distance

Since the start of November, Ferguson has emerged as the Thunder’s second best 3-point shooter making 41.9 percent of his triples.

Ferguson is shooting the ball with extreme confidence and is now starting to command the ball when he is open. In the best shooting night of his career, the youngster scored 21 points going 7-7 from 3-point range including two huge triples in crunch time.

More from Thunder News

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Ferguson has earned the trust of his teammates and nothing demonstrates this more than Westbrook passing up an open look to get the ball to him. The second-year wing is sizzling from distance and they’re finding him with regularity.

Final Thought

If Ferguson can keep this up, OKC has found their three and D wing for the next several seasons. TFerg has had a tremendous year all round, bouncing back from heavy criticism to showing us why Sam Presti was right to select him 21st overall in the 2017 draft. While he could’ve folded under the pressure of expectations from Oklahoma City’s fans, he chose to stand up and be counted.

Showing the world he’s here to stay and repaying the Thunder’s faith with interest.