OKC Thunder: 3 keys to victory versus the Clippers

OKC Thunder key 2: Pick your poison – Leonard or Paul

The team will need to make multiple choices in this match due to the Clippers’ depth. The most important of those decisions is who to emphasize limiting defensively between the two superstars.

Does Mark Daigneault spend more time game planning for a player who seemingly can’t be stopped in isolation (Kawhi Leonard) or the former player who is red hot and wants to send a message to your club?

Barring a simultaneously cold shooting night by both players it’s basically a no-win situation. The best the team can hope for is trying to limit both players. In truth, Kawhi is a much more deadly player, however, it’s typical in games where a player is facing their former team that they get more touches. So expect to see a lot of Luguentz Dort and Hamidou Diallo on PG13.

There are mixed emotions regarding George in OKC. He was amazing during a stretch of the 2018-19 season which earned him consideration for Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year.

But once the team hit the playoffs he was more off than on.

George took some slack for requesting (demanding) a trade just one season after re-signing with OKC.  It would be the equivalent of PG demanding a trade this coming offseason if the Clippers fail to reach the Western Conference Finals.

Although it’s unlikely — it’s not completely inconceivable – – no matter what he says since he’s also proven he’ll change his story if it suits him.

This season his numbers are up comparative to last year but not as high as his last season in OKC.

George’s game averages of 24.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists are all improvements over last season but it’s his perimeter efficiency that is shocking. George is shooting 50.5 percent from deep on 7.8 attempts per game.