OKC Thunder: 3 takeaways as shorthanded squad lose squeaker to Wolves

OKC Thunder takeaway No. 2) Al Horford improving his trade stock

A year after the failed experiment in Philly Al Horford is following a similar path to what Chris Paul did in Oklahoma City last season. No, this team isn’t winning like the Clutch Time Killers did in 2019-20 but that’s not the desired goal of the franchise either.

What they are doing is staying in games, winning matches no one thinks they should, and above all displaying a competitive spirit and professional attitude.

Leaders come in all shapes and forms. CP3 was far more demonstrative and vocal but then again most point guards have that demeanor or at least the best ones seem to. Horford is more akin to the ‘example’ leader who shows by his actions how to win and be a pro.

With only eight players and arguably the club’s best two players missing (SGA, Dort) it would’ve been easy to raise the white flag before the tip but Horford stoically battled and led his team fighting back from a nine-point deficit to almost steal the game in the closing minutes.

While his 26 points and seven rebounds will draw the most attention it was all the other things he did that should garner more praise.

To wit, Horford played only 29 minutes but affected the defense in every way including his two steals and three blocks. Without SGA, Hill, or Maledon there wasn’t a traditional point guard available. That meant everyone had to up their playmaking abilities. Horford averages three assists per game but tallied eight in the match.

At the start of the fourth quarter with the Thunder trailing by nine points, Horford demonstrated his leadership mettle. He dished four consecutive dimes to trim the lead to three and on the next play, Roby’s layup cut the margin to one point.

The Thunder lost the game on the Russell 3-pointer but Horford (who also hit the game-tying 3-pointer) gave his team a chance to win. As the trade line draws near keep an eye out for teams in need of a big man because Al Horford is proving last year was the exception and he’s reminding GMs around the league how impactful a player he is.