OKC Thunder fall flat versus Grizzlies – grades
OKC Thunder Frontcourt Grades:
A. . PG. Oklahoma City Thunder. LU DORT
While I don’t typically dole out “A” grades in blow-outs, Luguentz Dort is deserving of it. By far he was the best OKC Thunder player on the court. He tried his best to motivate his fellow teammates.
Notably, after he had a few bad shooting nights he vowed to get on the practice courts and work out the issues. As this game demonstrated the Canadian is a man of his word.
Dort scored 16 points connecting on four of five 3-pointers, grabbed three rebounds, dished two assists and had a steal.
If he can deliver a game of this level when the rest of the starters are connecting and the defense is on point he could prove to be a major x-factor in the playoffs.
DANILO GALLINARI. B. . PF. Oklahoma City Thunder
Danilo Gallinari delivered a pretty typical effort. He shot 50 percent from the field on 5 of 10 and also 50 percent from deep (2 of 4). Gallo added a rebound, two assists, and a block and did this in 19 minutes.
And, Gallo was the only player in the starters who registered a positive net differential (plus four). This was partially a result of Gallo not playing much after the Thunder took the big lead and also a factor of needing young, active legs on the court to try to up the defensive effort.
Billy Donovan has been consistent with the Italian’s minutes as they work him back slowly after such a long hiatus.
Oklahoma City Thunder. NERLENS NOEL. C-. . C
Anyone wondering what the OKC Thunder would look like without Steven Adams or the value the big man brings to the team got their answer today.
Sure, this was an off day for the team, but what Adams brings to the floor in terms of screens and captaining the defense was sorely missed today.
No offense to Nerlens Noel but for as much as he’s above average as a reserve center he simply doesn’t have the size to deal with big men like Jonas Valanciunas or the intangibles to offer what Adams does on both sides of the hardwood to make the Thunder function smoothly.
In 27 minutes he scored 11 points, adding four rebounds, an assist, and a steal but also posted the worst plus/minus of the starters (-16).