OKC Thunder at the break: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Terrance Ferguson
He’s blossomed in front of our eyes, turning into the “three-and-d” shooting guard this team has desperately craved for the past ten years. Terrance Ferguson is now shooting 38.3 percent from three on 3.7 attempts per game. Take away the awful stretch he had to start the season, and he’s at 41 percent. Teams now have to respect Ferguson’s shooting which opens up the Thunder offense considerably, a luxury the Thunder haven’t had in previous seasons.
Defensively, he continues to be a nightmare for opposing shooting guards. His nuclear athleticism allows him to stick with even the slickest of ball handlers. Ferguson is no liability and is helping the Thunder starting lineup become one of the best units in the league. The next step in Ferg’s development defensively? Stop fouling so much. His 3.1 fouls per game are too high for such an important perimeter player.
T-Ferg’s confidence is at an all-time high. With two years left on his rookie-scale deal, the OKC Thunder have a major bargain in a league where quality wings are expensive and hard to find. As he continues to improve as a ball-handler and shot-creator, his ceiling will only continue to skyrocket.
Jerami Grant
He’s shown the end of last season wasn’t a fluke. Now averaging a career-high in points (13.1) rebounds (5.1) and three-point percentage (.371), Jerami Grant is a legitimate weapon for OKC. There is no longer any doubt that trading Ersan Ilyasova and a future first rounder for Grant was the right call.
Like Ferguson, Grant is now established as a starter of the future. If he can improve as a free throw shooter, his offensive game will grow even further.
Dennis Schröder
He’s been about as good as you can ask for out of a sixth man. His 15.7 points per game ranks sixth among bench players. Dennis Schröder has also addressed one of if not his biggest concerns this season in his three-point shooting. The backup point guard is at a career-high 36 percent from downtown on 4.2 attempts per game. Schröder now needs to improve his inside shooting. He’s just 40 percent from 3-10 feet, and 39 percent from 10-16 feet. Come playoff time, the Thunder will need to convert on as many easy attempts as possible.
Russell Westbrook’s Growth/Maturity
He’s handed the reigns over to Paul George seamlessly. Sure, his shot selection can be rough at times, but for the most part, Russell Westbrook has done an incredible job at leading this team. His latest triple-double streak has been unbelievable, as he leads the league with 11.2 assists per game. He’s also averaging a career-high 11.2 rebounds per game.
Of course, the defining stretch of the season will be the playoffs. Should things get tight, will Westbrook continue to defer to George, or will he revert to old habits and attempt to lead a one-man charge?