OKC Thunder: 3 biggest surprises through first half

With the first half of the 2020-21 season complete the OKC Thunder enter the break for a much-needed rest.  The All-Star Game and events occur this evening without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or any Thunder players for that matter participating.

SGA did more than enough to be included in the mix but unfortunately, he’ll have to wait at least another season for that honor.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this season has been anything but typical as the virus affected teams, players, and the schedule. Next man up became an early talking point as several teams had to play shorthanded including OKC.

Given the uncertainty, clubs possessing roster constancy seemed to be the greatest benefactors. As a result, the Jazz and 76ers enter the break as conference leaders and Joel Embiid as the surprise (for some) MVP leader.

Speaking of surprises, the first half served up ample OKC Thunder revelations. Perhaps the most obvious was how competitive the team is and that they don’t just raise the white flag at the start of games.

Over and above that obvious first half epiphany three others are worth noting. With that let’s dive in and look at the standouts.

OKC Thunder first-half surprise No.1: 29 teams slept on Maledon

I’ll admit finding a body of work for Theo Maledon during the draft process was complicated and frustrating. What was available didn’t offer enough to make an educated review and that led to Maledon not receiving his due.

Still, as analysts, we don’t have the same access to the players as franchises who have entire scouting staffs so it’s baffling how 29 teams failed to recognize how talented Maledon is. Turns out his ASVEL coach Zvezdan Mitrovic was at the heart of this issue and it cost him his job.

Now that he is in the NBA, the Thunder rookie is impressing in the early going of the 2020-21 season. While his fellow rookie Aleksej Pokusevski was selected higher (19th) he was always considered a development project with high risk-reward potential.

Maledon on the other hand quickly became an integral part of the Thunder rotation. Through the initial 15 games, the rookie posted averages of 6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.6 steals. The one area of struggle was the perimeter where the youngster shot 28.8% from deep on 3.5 attempts.

Then an injury to George Hill afforded Maledon the unique opportunity to replace the veteran in the starting rotation. The rookie seized his moment and recognized an immediate uptick in his minutes and production.

Maledon has made 16 consecutive starts and the statistics offer evidence of his growth. Specifically, he’s posting  9.4  points (+3.4), 3.6 rebounds (+1.3), 3.9 assists (+1.2), and 1.4 steals (+0.8) as a starter. The big change he’s recognized is on the perimeter where he’s now shooting a  blistering 40 percent on 4.7 attempts. Clearly begin a starter agrees with Maledon.

The NBA is taking notice as he made the Rising Stars World team. Perhaps he might not have been selected for the U.S. squad but it is worth noting the scores of first-round selections he moved in front of to make the World team.