At the start of the season, I thought Abdel Nader could be Most Improved Player in the league. Ten games in, I think the OKC Thunder should send him to the G-League.
In the first 11 games of the season, Abdel Nader has only seen court time in five of them for the OKC Thunder. In these games, he has averaged 3.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He is shooting an abysmal 30.0 percent from the floor and 27.3 percent from deep.
The problem is that Nader is -31 on the season when he is on the floor this season. His shot from deep looks like it is lacking in confidence. When he drives to the rim he is trying to take it against bigger players in a low percentage shot.
His decision making has turned from team ball to Nader ball and this is why he is struggling with the way the OKC Thunder is playing. Nader needs to spend some time in the G-League rather than the end of the bench to regain his confidence.
Abdel Nader (22 points) Highlights vs. Texas Legends https://t.co/iRHLt3D8iC via @YouTube
— Mervsports (@mervsports78) November 13, 2019
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In his three games for the OKC Blue last season, Nader averaged 24.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game. His slash line is 50.9/26.3/70.0 shows that he still struggled from deep still but was able to get confidence driving to the hoop against the lower level of competition.
He has played three seasons in the G-League, winning rookie of the year in 2017. He has never averaged less than 21 points or 5.8 rebounds per game. Getting back to these numbers will hopefully give Nader the confidence required to make it back with the varsity squad.
It is not as though the OKC Thunder doesn’t have options to cover the loss of Nader. Deonte Burton could easily take any minutes that would have been given to Nader over the coming period. His time on the court always produces something positive.
There is nothing to be lost by sending Nader back to the G-League and a whole lot to, potentially, be gained. Let’s see whether the OKC Thunder decides to do it.