OKC Thunder Film Room: Thunder go down 3-1 in series
By Rylan Stiles
Can’t play Adams?
Look at this play as Adams literally does nothing defensively, leaving Kanter open for a shot at the foul line. This is a defensive play we expected to see from Kanter all series long, not Steven Adams.
On a pick and roll, Steven Adams and the OKC Thunder expose the Blazers and gives Adams a wide open look at the rim, and he goes on to miss the dunk. This play is so impactful, especially when you factor in Grant’s missed dunk, Paul George’s blown fast break where he overly tried to pass, and a few in and out shots from Dennis Schroder. These plays could be the difference.
Steven Adams again gets a great look at the rim, and again it is in the first quarter. Adams finished with 28 minutes, and six shot attempts.
This matchup goes to Enes Kanter, and I would not be shocked if Billy Donovan limits Adams’ minutes even more in favor of Jerami Grant, Nerlens Noel, and even Markieef Morris at the five.
Enes Kanter has to be played off the floor. It is maddening that game after game, the team knows how to exploit him but choose not to. No matter if Billy Donovan’s game plan does not include attacking the rim and attacking Kanter, or if the players are just ignoring his game plan, both cases it falls on Donovan. He either does not know what to do schematic wise against Kanter and the Blazers, or he has lost the locker room and the teams belief which might be the biggest issue.