Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder grades – Heat sweep season series

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and forward Darius Bazley (7) react after a play against the Heat : Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and forward Darius Bazley (7) react after a play against the Heat : Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /
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OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after a shot against the Heat : Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /

OKC Thunder starting lineup grades:

A. . G/F. Oklahoma City Thunder. SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER

Another efficient night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he led the team scoring 27 points on 10 of 15 from the field, 2 of 3 from deep, and 5 of 6 from the stripe.

SGA added two rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block.

If I’m going to quibble it would be his defense particularly on Kendrick Nunn and the three turnovers. Yet, even with those minor shortcomings, it’s important to remember Shai is now the primary focus of opponent gameplans.

In spite of that fact and without another true offensive star as the beta to his alpha, he’s posting career highs in points and assists. More importantly, his efficiency in garnering these benchmarks is setting him up for strong consideration to receive Most Improved Player candidacy.

Remember at season start when SGA was shooting 29.5 percent from deep?  Well fast forward to the current date, and SGA has improved to 40.6 percent from deep (including tonight’s match).

Oklahoma City Thunder. THEO MALEDON. B+. . PG

If you missed the game and want a quick capsule of why Intentions is so high on Theo Maledon check out the first four minutes of the game. The rookie offers a bevy of smart plays within this segment.

  • 11:43 – first offensive set, quick pass to Dort that leaves his hand almost as soon as he catches it giving Lu time to get up (and make) the 3-pointer before Duncan Robinson can closeout.
  • 10:40 – threads a precision pass in between Jimmy Butler and Robinson leading Roby toward the basket for an easy bucket.
  • 8:40 –  he fakes his shot forcing Nunn into a fly-by closeout and whips the pass to Bazley for a wide-open three.

It’s less than four minutes into the game and Maledon has three assists leading to 8 of the 12 points OKC has scored!

Maledon registered eight points, five rebounds, and five assists making two of his 3-point attempts. Yet the bigger takeaway is Maledon in the narrator’s opinion is one of the big reasons the team is witnessing faster ball movement and an increase in assists this season.

It’s impossible not to get excited about Theo Maledon and what that will mean for the future of the OKC Thunder as he continues to grow his game.

A “B+” grade is lofty given the loss, but Maledon impacted and affected the game in so many positive ways he deserves the kudos.

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