OKC Thunder net first win via a thorough beat down of Dubs – player grades

I have to admit through the first few games I’d felt TFerg hadn’t lived up to expectations. In a review of the film, Terrance Ferguson has produced some good minutes defensively and also had some major gaffes.

On top of this, his offensive production had been non-existent. On this day he made up for it with his best game of the early season and contributed on both ends. Tasked with chasing Stephen Curry I wasn’t expecting much from him offensively but he held his own.

Ferguson scored 13 points and finally connected from deep hitting three of his four attempts. In addition, he added two rebounds and most impressively four assists.

Danilo Gallinari is one of the most intriguing players in the NBA. He’s savvy at scoring and does all the little things which often don’t show up on a box score.

He led the OKC Thunder in scoring with 21 points, but it was his two defensive efforts that stood out. In one, he ran down a breakaway to block the sure dunk and in another, he again got out to stop the fast break and headed off the Warriors player under the rim changing their shot which missed.

The more we get to witness his intelligence and variety of slick offense the more I wish Sam Presti could find a way to keep him. Unfortunately, Gallo will arguably be the most coveted asset prior to the trade deadline.

Something isn’t right with Steven Adams. Recalling the preseason there was a game where he left the court (I think versus the Mavericks) to attend to an injury. In each of the team’s games since he simply hasn’t looked like himself.

It’s one thing for Adams not to be an offensive master as the big guy has never demonstrated adeptness with catching the ball. But, when his defense comes into question you know something is up. He’ll give 100 percent effort every game and every play which indicates he’s ailing somewhere. It would be a very short list of players Adams couldn’t stop due to his size and strength but that’s not happening.

Until the game versus the Warriors, Donovan was only playing Nerlens Noel six minutes a game. Unless Noel is also nursing an injury I’m not sure why Billy would risk Adams precipitating the injury.

Even his numbers speak to this as nine points and eight rebounds aren’t indicative of a big guy facing the very small frontcourt of the Warriors.