In the news: OKC Thunder shooting woes cited, TV rating darlings and BIG3 blasts from the past

In the news centers on opponent comments, OKC Thunder GM Presti should take to heart,  being a TV rating darlings and BIG3 featuring seven former players.

The NBA Playoffs continue rolling with referees taking center stage instead of players while 22 teams including the OKC Thunder are already well into their offseason.

Today’s in the news examines the comments of Damian Lillard which we’ll hope Sam Presti takes to heart, points to the Thunder as TV rating darlings and looks at seven former OKC Thunder players who are participating in the two day Las Vegas event of the BIG3 league.

Shooting – Sam, we need shooting!

Nothing like rubbing salt in the wound! First, can we point out the big blue elephant in the room? Yes, the Nuggets have more depth and subsequently more shooters. But, Enes Kanter who isn’t a beast defensively, to begin with also is playing with what is rumored to be the after effects of a separated shoulder.

And, while Steven Adams can be a load in the paint, let’s be clear Nikola Jokic is making an argument to be considered the best overall center in the NBA and definitely in the top five. Moreover, the Nuggets utilize Jokic to initiate the offense,  run the pick and roll with him to great success (a Blazers defensive weakness made even more vulnerable with Kanter) and he can drop 40 points on any given night. With apologies to Steven Adams (who we respect and adore), this simply isn’t an apple to apple comparison.

With that mini-rant over – I dropped this tweet in for a reason. Aside from the Kanter injury and Jokic factor, what Lillard is saying is dead on the money “With OKC, I don’t think they had the kind of shooters Denver has.”  Take note Sam Presti, the lack of shooting on the team made the Thunder easier to defend and more predictable. Moreover, that fact is openly being discussed by opponents.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• 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

In Presti’s season ending press conference, he cited the loss of Alex Abrines and impact of Andre Roberson not returning as partial reasons why the team suffered. Of all the answers (or should I say watered down versions of reality) Presti offered this was the most disconcerting because it expects fans to accept a healthy Abrines would’ve made all the difference. Pardon me – but hogwash. ‘

While the addition of an excellent perimeter shooter will improve the overall product and spread the court that one player’s 3-point production doesn’t diminish the fact the OKC Thunder was a horrifically inefficient shooting team (from virtually all key areas of the floor). Yes there are exceptions and sure there were months of improvement but overall this team doesn’t shoot well from deep, from the charity stripe or in general.

Comments like these only serve to reinforce the need for Presti to add shooting. More importantly, it points to the dire need to reconsider the offense and subsequently the Head Coach who’ll guide the OKC Thunder. More on this later – much more!

Thunder rank among top teams in local TV ratings:

Thunder Wire scribe Cody Taylor detailed how the NBA’s second smallest market team draws big TV audiences finishing with the second best local TV ratings in the Association.

"The Oklahoma City Thunder averaged the second-highest local TV rating of all NBA teams, posting a 6.69 rating on Fox Sports Oklahoma, according to Sports Business Journal."

That’s impressive for such a small market – take a bow Thunder Nation.

BIG3 features seven former OKC Thunder players:

The professional BIG3 league created by entertainer, rapper, actor and mogul Ice Cube enters it’s third season this year. This week the BIG3 is in the news as they conducted their combine and lottery draft Tuesday in Las Vegas. The BIG3 features 131 participants with seven former OKC Thunder players involved. Wednesday the teams in the league will draft their teams.

https://twitter.com/thebig3/status/1123398248050245632

"For OKC Thunder fans there are seven former players involved in the mix. Kendrick Perkins is a Co-Captain of Team Alien while Anthony Morrow is Co-Captain of team Bivouac.The five former Thunder players who’ll be among those who are part of the draft pool are Joe Smith, Perry Jones, Ronnie Brewer, Ryan Gomes, and Nate Robinson. The combine features 132 pro players competing for 31 roster spots."

For details on the event click this link to our article.

That’s all for in the news on May 1st, enjoy your day and keep your Intentions Thunderous!