OKC Thunder: The OKC Blue are a balanced scoring unit
The OKC Blue has a very balanced scoring lineup which is very similar to the varsity squad of the OKC Thunder.
The OKC Blue has developed a very balanced team. Like the varsity squad the OKC Thunder, the Blue can count on multiple avenues to the bucket.
This makes them a very difficult team to defend. This did not help them against the Austin Spurs but it is going to be crucial as this team makes a push to get back to playoff contention.
Taking the Spurs game as an example, without Luguentz Dort and Justin Patton, the rest of the team had to step up, Six players made it into double figures on the night but the talent gap was just too great.
This pass has to be worth more than 10¢ @iMarkelBrown22 ➡️ @_evlewt pic.twitter.com/WI1DwtNPAI
— OKC BLUE (@okcblue) January 8, 2020
DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell led all OKC Blue scorers with 17 points off the bench. He has been, as Michael Cage keeps saying, playing with house money off the bench all season. He is still in the mix for the Sixth Man of the Year.
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Three OKC Blue players scored sixteen points. Devon Hall had a much more efficient game going 6-of-10. He did not make it to the free throw line, so he is still not aggressive enough taking it to the hoop. His -16 impact on the box score is still problematic, despite his much better shooting display.
Abdel Gaddy just missed out on a double-double with his own 16 points to go along with his eight assists. The Blue floor general is leading the league in assists per game this season. Sedrick Barefield also had 16 points off the bench, Myke Henry had 15 points and Markel Brown had 14 points.
What was lacking was the grunt of Dort or even Kadeem Jack who has been out for the past several games.
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On top of that, the shot-blocking presence of Justin Patton meant the Spurs could attack the rim without much fear. One thing is for sure, the Blue is always willing to put up a fight, one and all.