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OKC Thunder youngsters break out in second win of season – player grades

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2, and Chris Paul #3 talk during the game against the Golden State Warriors (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2, and Chris Paul #3 talk during the game against the Golden State Warriors (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nerlens Noel #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

D. . G/F. Oklahoma City Thunder. TERRANCE FERGUSON

It’s a rarity I agree with Billy Donovan but I applaud him for starting Hamidou Diallo over Terrance Ferguson in the second half.

Some might point to the fact he took no shots — but why is that? Is it because he’s not aggressive. TFerg picked up two early fouls and pretty much never saw the court again.

Witnessing the aggression with which Diallo and Bazley drove the ball, ran the wings and were making cuts during offensive possessions points to the issue with Ferguson. He is a talent but I’m beginning to question his motor.

In fact, if Diallo could hit more consistently from range I think the starting spot would be his.

There is potential he is injured – but this is still an ongoing issue with Ferguson healthy or not.

PF. Oklahoma City Thunder. DANILO GALLINARI. A-.

Danilo Gallinari is efficient, makes timely shots and for someone not known for his defensive prowess utilizes his high IQ to make savvy stops.

Once again he was highly efficient. He scored 16 points and eclipsed the coveted 50-40-90 mark shooting 5 of 9 from the field (55 percent), 4 of 6 from deep (66.7 percent) and 2 of 2 from the line (100 percent). He added four rebounds and one steal.

Although it was a quality effort and it would be easy to give him an A as well  I try to divvy up the scores on a scale which only means CP3 ad SGA landed slightly ahead of him.

NERLENS NOEL. B+. . C. Oklahoma City Thunder

Considering Nerlens Noel was a game time decision (based on a sore foot that was injured in the last game) he more than held his own today.

He scored on 50 percent of his field goals (hey – Dennis – pass him the ball more! ), grabbed three rebounds, dished two assists, added a steal and got SIX blocks!

Maybe I’m beating a dead horse but once again Denis Schroder drove into traffic often with three Pelicans in the paint instead of dishing the ball out to the perimeter or feeding Noel. I understand Schroder is a great offensive player – but I fail to understand why he’s taking the most shots on the team (17) especially when everyone else was rolling.

Plus it would be great to see the team nurture the bigs and reward them for their work in the post (like those six blocks).

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