OKC Thunder – Rockets Game 2 Grades -Dort’s return spoiled
OKC Thunder Starting Backcourt
PG. Oklahoma City Thunder. CHRIS PAUL. C.
Look, let’s make this clear. The OKC Thunder doesn’t get into the postseason if it’s not for Chris Paul. Nor is the team remotely as competitive or exciting as they’ve been this season.
But, by the same token, there is a reason Paul is earning $38,506,482 this season and has
$41,358,814 on tap for 2020-21 and $44,211,146 for 2021-22.
Yes, it’s to lead his squad, but it’s to be otherworldly in the playoffs. To be the player who pushes a team over the top whether it be via scoring, getting everyone on the floor scoring, or via lockdown defense.
He failed to measure those standards on many levels shooting 6 of 15 from the field (2 of 7 from deep) for 14 points and had as many turnovers as he did assists (two).
But, what’s most concerning is his time on the court was the least effective. He was a minus -36! Steven Adams was the closest in that regard with a -26 but facing a small ball team at least there is some reason to point to for the Big Kiwi.
I’ve loved every minute of Chris Paul this season, but this game might’ve been his worst in a Thunder jersey and it came at the worst possible time.
He’s not a player who’ll ever give up so we shouldn’t bail on him either, but it will take a very different effort in Game 3 to get this squad into the series.
Related Story. The inevitable collision course of Chris Paul and the Rockets. light
A. . G/F. Oklahoma City Thunder. SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER
If only this version of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had been present in Game 1 would the series be tied?
It’s hard to get on SGA for failing to serve up this type of effort consistently. Rather, the fact he was able to bounce back after a poor showing highlights what is in store for future seasons.
His 31 points represented almost a third of the Thunder offense so imagine what he’ll be able to do once Sam Presti finds him a young running mate. Shai added six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Most impressive was how aggressive he was getting to the charity stripe on 11 occasions. And it was Gilgeous-Alexander who buckled down to hit three consecutive 3-pointers to halt a 13-0 run and get OKC back into the match.
Unfortunately, on this day he needed someone else to rise up with him but none of the usual suspects were on the same wavelength.