OKC Thunder: 3 players who need to step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence

OKC Thunder step-up player No. 2) Isaiah Roby

Another player who has been used in multiple roles is Isaiah Roby. When Al Horford was not available due to the birth of his fourth child, it was Roby who stepped into the starting role. He performed admirably and made a case for this to be permanent.

Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Roby started in place of Luguentz Dort and has shown that he can do so many things. Despite being only 6’8″, Roby plays so much taller while also being able to handle the ball, especially on a fast break.

Roby is averaging 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 19.3 minutes per game. He is scoring at all levels, going at 53.8 percent from the floor, a serviceable 32.0 percent from deep, and his free-throw shooting has improved to 71.8 percent from the line, he struggled at the start of the season from the stripe.

Roby is showing that he is ready to accept any challenge and if he can snare some of Pokusevski’s court time then he is going to use it well. He has good chemistry with Horford, Darius Bazley, and Mike Muscala meaning that the OKC Thunder frontcourt will not lose anything if Roby plays up to his potential.