OKC Thunder lay an egg in Game 5: player grades

OKC Thunder Starter Grades

While  Chris Paul watched his teammates fail to resemble their typical selves he kept battling. Was it his best effort of the year – not even close. And yet with the burden, he’s carried over the past few days the fact he ended up producing the best starting performance and kept trying to inject his squad with confidence deserves credit.

He finished the game with 16 points, six boards, three assists, and a block. In the post-game interview when a reporter tried to get him to speak about the dire circumstances the Thunder are the prototypical CP3 raging bull doppelganger shone through his mask as he barked back – it’s one game – now we move on to the next.

A rough game for  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who wasn’t scoring got repeatedly exposed on defense, turned over the ball and didn’t come close to resembling the player we’ve come to know this season.

This wasn’t a game he’ll throw into his portfolio but it is one where he can learn a lot. Mid third quarter TI tweeted about the lost look in his eyes as his brotherly mentor tried to reel him back in. For the first time this year, there was a look of fear or perhaps confusion. The good news is by the end of the game he sat steely face, jaw set on the bench with anger emanating from every pore.

If you’ve caught any of the other playoff series teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and other first-round casualties visibly tossed in the towel before they’d even played their final game. Slumped shoulders and long faces giving way to defeat were present on all those club’s benches.

This was NOT what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exuded – he’s ticked off and that among many of the Canadian’s myriad of talents is why he’s the perfect cornerstone to build the franchise around. Don’t expect some passive effort from him in Game 6– expect him to channel his mentor Chris Paul as together they’ll hit the hardwood looking to even the series!