NBA Power Rankings week 17: OKC Thunder and peers enter break

FEBRUARY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
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OKC Thunder
Devonte’ Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Charlotte Hornets:

Offense: (105.6)  tied 25th
Defense: (113.1)  26th
Net: (minus -7.5)  27th

Results Week 17: (2-0) Won vs. Pistons: 87-76, Wolves: 115-108
Games Week 18: (2 games) Thurs at Bulls | Sat vs. Nets

Mitch Kupchak has his work cut out for him this offseason with numerous roster spots to fill. The current crop of youngsters offers a decent core as his starting point. Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges, and rookie P.J. Washington are bright spots.

Questions persist regarding Malik Monk who hasn’t nailed down consistent production yet

Per 36 Minutes Table
Season G MP FGA FG% 3PA 3P% 2PA 2P% FTA FT% TRB AST STL PTS
2017-18 63 854 17.9 .360 10.2 .342 7.7 .385 1.6 .842 2.8 3.8 0.8 17.7
2018-19 73 1258 16.8 .387 9.4 .330 7.3 .461 2.9 .882 3.9 3.3 1.1 18.7
2019-20 52 1086 14.8 .438 6.2 .285 8.7 .548 2.9 .816 4.8 3.5 0.8 17.1
Career 188 3198 16.4 .395 8.5 .323 7.9 .474 2.6 .850 3.9 3.5 0.9 17.9

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/19/2020.

Some young players take longer to find their groove, but the concerning part of Monk’s game is his regression in key categories.

The normal box statistics don’t serve up flashing light warnings but the per 36 offers a better comparison of his three seasons. In this campaign, he’s scoring fewer points and taking fewer shots. The shot selection has also switched to more mid-range shots than perimeter attempts and that may be because his efficiency from deep is also regressing by season.

Moving forward the hope will be Monk can rediscover his range and accuracy.

Per 36 Minutes Table
Season G FGA FG% 3PA 3P% 2PA 2P% TRB AST STL BLK PTS
2015-16 39 12.3 .274 3.1 .222 9.1 .291 7.3 4.3 0.7 0.1 8.3
2016-17 74 11.7 .367 5.1 .318 6.6 .405 6.5 3.7 1.3 0.3 11.7
2017-18 80 13.9 .395 7.0 .381 6.9 .410 6.5 4.0 1.4 0.3 15.7
2018-19 79 13.4 .387 6.8 .353 6.6 .422 6.2 4.6 1.4 0.4 14.2
2019-20 53 15.7 .418 7.1 .385 8.6 .445 4.8 4.3 1.1 0.2 18.8
Career 325 13.8 .391 6.5 .363 7.3 .416 6.0 4.2 1.3 0.3 15.1

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/19/2020.

The other player who Kupchak may be revisiting is Terry Rozier who was brought in to run the first unit. The interesting part of this equation is while Scary Terry’s shots, points, and efficiencies are up his assists, rebounds and steals are down.