OKC Thunder should unleash the beast in Deonte Burton
…three’s a crowd.
All of the players listed in this comparison are in contention to secure the role of the team’s premier 3-and-D player. Currently, Terrance Ferguson commands that slot with fairly good success, but he certainly isn’t elite. In other words, there’s plenty of opportunities for someone else to step in and assume that role.
Along with Terrance Ferguson, Dennis Schröder, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook all take their fair share of3-point attempts. Of course, the Brodie and PG aren’t going anywhere, and Schröder likely isn’t either as he is undoubtedly the best back-up point guard the Thunder have.
That leaves Deonte Burton, Terrance Ferguson, Abdel Nader, Markieff Morris, Raymond Felton, and Patrick Patterson all fighting for those extra heaves from behind the arc – a crowded competition to be sure.
Each player’s current average 3-point statistics per game for the 2018-19 season are listed as such:
| 3P | 3PA | 3P% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Schroder | 1.5 | 4.5 | .336 |
| Terrance Ferguson | 1.4 | 3.8 | .360 |
| Markieff Morris | 0.9 | 2.5 | .364 |
| Patrick Patterson | 0.8 | 2.2 | .338 |
| Abdel Nader | 0.5 | 1.6 | .346 |
| Raymond Felton | 0.5 | 1.7 | .267 |
| Deonte Burton | 0.3 | 0.9 | .333 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/20/2019.
It is plain to see Oklahoma City does not have a standout 3-point sharpshooter. Even the Thunder’s incumbent 3-and-D player in Terrance Ferguson is by no means a world beater from beyond the arc. In fact, the NBA’s three-point average is 35.4 percent, leaving OKC’s 3-point role man just above the mark. For a more complete comparison, Deonte Burton’s 3-point statistics with the OKC Blue were a 30 percent average with 4.2 attempts per game.
All teams currently slated to go to the playoffs average 36.1 percent from behind the arc. The Thunder are below that average at 34.6 percent.
Some argue Ferguson made Andre Roberson an afterthought, but his 3-point shooting, though good, is nothing spectacular as he averages less than four attempts per game. Schröder occasionally reels off several good games in which he is hot from 3-point range, but there are other times when it would be best if he just steps off the court.
Felton is clearly the worst from deep and often kills the team’s rhythm with poor shot selection and forced shots. The others come in and perform moderately well with the time they’re given, but none of them are standouts or they would have already relegated Ferguson to a bench role.
Most fans would agree the OKC Thunder need to improve their 3-point success down the home stretch and through the playoffs if they hope to legitimately compete for a championship. Ferguson is the clear-cut winner from behind the arc, but he is by no means free of being replaced. He would do well to capitalize on the few opportunities that come his way and take more shots in general because Deonte Burton is a player on the rise with several others also in line to take advantage of lackluster performances by their incumbent.