The OKC Thunder lost to the young Los Angeles Lakers, and if you are a Thunder fan inclined to do so, it may be time to worry.
The OKC Thunder lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers did not have LeBron James.
Those two sentences about sum this game up, but the bigger story is not just with this game. The Thunder also lost to the Atlanta Hawks in their previous game. They also lost to the Washington Wizards a few games before.
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In a Western Conference more congested, more competitive than maybe ever before, the OKC Thunder have been dropping – at the risk of arrogance – easy games. This is a stark contrast to how they started the season, winning all of the games they should.
And just when we started to trust them, just when they seemed to solidify their grasp on the number one defense, and, worst of all, just as the schedule begins to twist and turn into maybe the most difficult in the league, the OKC Thunder have faltered.
Look, it’s not all gloom. They’ve started to make shots. Russ has started to come around. Terrance Ferguson has been on fire. Steven Adams‘s ankle seems messed up, and Nerlens Noel is just barely not concussed.
The defense is still elite, despite these last few games, and it seems likely that the only reason it hasn’t been lately is simply effort.
Still… If you wanted to start to get worried, I’d not be overly aggressive in talking you out of it. This is troubling, it is worrying. But if effort is all that’s holding this team back, well, we have Russell Westbrook and Steven Adams. That can’t be an issue for long.
Right?
Hook up the TiVo – 2:17
Player of the Game – 17:28
Outro – 22:43
Thank you, as always, for listening. Please leave feedback wherever you can, but especially on iTunes, where you can also leave a good review. You can find us on Twitter @OKCTopicThunder, where we’d also love to have your feedback.
This one was rough, but regardless, as always, Thunder Up.