Most disappointing OKC Thunder player through 64 games

The OKC Thunder 30 for 30 roundtable continues with TI writers providing thoughts on who is the most disappointing player through 64 games.

Every offseason players leave to work on developing and improving facets of their games. The OKC Thunder has numerous youngsters on the roster so their growth is essential to the club. Fans eagerly await the start of a new campaign to witness which of the young group will surprise us with their growth and who will force Billy Donovan‘s hand to give them more playing time.

Unfortunately, the opposite side of this equation is also true. Players we earmark with high ceilings and potential sometimes fail to deliver to our expectations.

Certainly, consistent playing time and injuries play a factor. As does opponent defensive game plans. Without Russell Westbrook and Paul George on the team, there was bound to be additional emphasis paid to OKC Thunder youngsters who didn’t have extra attention on them last season.

With that, I give you question 28 from the series…

Q28:  Which OKC Thunder player has been the most disappointing through this point in the season?

Shontelle Matano:

I believe throughout the season, some players haven’t had the best of starts but they have shown improvements and done their best to make up for it as the year has gone on.

Players such as Terrance Ferguson and Deonte Burton are two members of the Thunder who have experienced slumps in numbers and percentages. But they have had standout performances throughout the season that have reminded us of how good they can be.

It is just about being consistent and contributing on a nightly basis. So I wouldn’t say anyone on OKC has shown disappointing efforts, rather they have just faced challenges and gone through tough stretches. This hiatus will give the whole team time to work on different parts of their game.

Rylan Stiles:

I do not think anyone has been disappointing for this team outside of Terrance Ferguson. That has to be the answer. The young guard that once showed three and D potential saw his game fall of a cliff.

Matthew Hallett:

I have been most disappointed with Deonte Burton this season. When the team was working their chemistry, Burton was punished for discontent in the locker room. He responded well but it was a blight on the season.

Dustin McGowen:

Terrance Ferguson was supposed to be the everyday starter at the two guard this season. He was supposed to take the leap from role player to star. Life gets in the way sometimes. From injury issues to personal problems, Ferguson has struggled mightily this year.

His stats don’t match the upside that many thought Ferguson had. He still looks tentative and lost out on the floor at times.  Yes, he is only 21 and has one more year on his contract, but he has a lot to prove if he wants to cash in.

Tamberlyn Richardson:

Most of the team is citing Deonte Burton and Terrance Ferguson and that’s fair given their regression. In the case of Ferguson it’s common knowledge he’s dealing with a personal situation in a custody battle for his daughter.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

The emotions of that situation are seeping on to the hardwood. Once Billy Donovan replaced him with Luguentz Dort the thinking around these parts is that move would wake up TFerg’s competitive spirit to want to reclaim his starting role. Or at worst, we’d witness him play more aggressive on offense. Neither came to pass.

As for Burton, I’ve been a big promoter of his and while I do believe inconsistent playing time is part of the issue the youngster needs to be prepared to step up when his number is called.

Abdel Nader seemingly figured that out and delivered when he got the opportunity prior to injury removing him. Likewise, Hamidou Diallo was someone the franchise hoped would take a step this season.

While he’s had some strong performances he hasn’t strung together a series of games where you’re left to believe this could be the norm. We’ll cut him some slack and hope this is more a case of the sophomore slump.

Also, although clearly not his fault many in the fan base hoped for Andre Roberson’s return to the hardcourt this year. Repeatedly ARob hinted that would in fact occur but as the season wore on he remained away from the team trying to work his way back. We’re left now to wonder if that horrific patellar tendon injury Roberson suffered in Detroit may well have ended his career.

Monday the Thunderous Intentions writing team addresses the opposite side of this equation with which OKC Thunder player has been the most surprising through 64 games.

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy day.