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Thunder Week 11-12 Recapreview
Rolling Thunder: 10/02/2016
In week 11 we tipped a 3-1 week, which is a rare display of optimism from this reporting outlet, but unfortunately 2-2 was the result after a heartbreaking OT loss to the Suns which was a highly crucial match-up in the race for the playoffs. Unfortunately 2-2 while the Suns and Wolves around them had strong weeks, means the Thunder are now 1.5 games outside the 8th spot, and 1 game behind the Wolves who have claimed the 9th spot. Yep, Thunder are 10th. They easily handled the Hawks which was a nice turn around from earlier in the year, and managed to keep up their dominance of the Kings, another conference playoff rival, after a frantic last quarter come back lead by Jimmy Butler who was scoreless in the 1st half, but finished with 26 points. They took it right up to the Bucks, but came up short by 3 points, and yep, the heartbreaking loss to the Suns. The OT loss actually seemed to highlight what GM Nenjabin had already outlined as a weakness, in their lack of big man depth overall, that they took measures via trad this week to repair. The starters played a lot more minutes than the Suns and probably just ran out of puff down the stretch. A potentially costly lesson. Jimmy Butler was phenomenal this week leading their scoring in each game, and this would likely turn to the norm now with MKG back in the fold leaving 2kBob on the bench longer and giving more shots to Jimmy. Early results look positive, despite this change.
Brought the Thunder: Jimmy Butler: Averaged 27.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks with only 1.5 turnovers while shooting 27-27 from the line and 42% from deep. Jimmy has grown to be that go-to guy, and finally playing in the line-up originally intended and designed by Nenjabin, he stepped straight into that role posting his 2nd highest scoring week of the season and only 3 shots less than his most prolific shot taking week. He looked comfortable in this role and it should continue going forward.
Unexpected Thunder clap: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: Averaged 14.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks on 50% shooting. Does it get any more unexpected than a guy who was labelled out for the season getting onto the court?
Secondary Shock: Robert Covington: Averaged 14.8 points, 3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals. This weekly award will probably be renamed the 2Kovington award for as long as he’s on the bench. He’s a volume scorer and will be asked to do exactly this every week in this role.
Thunderstruck: Dennis Schroder: Averaged 2.5 points, 0.5 rebounds, 2 assists on 42% shooting. He’s usually pretty darn efficient so to see this is a surprise. Of course, he also played the least amount of minutes of anyone and was behind Ricky averaging 11.5 assists…so you’re going to struggle to find a rhythm.
Week 12, and this week brings something that has rarely happened for the Thunder in Nenjabin’s 2 year reign…more than a full rosters worth of available players! Walter Tavares is the unfortunate one to miss out this week due to the addition of Boban Marjanovic via trade, who will resume full reserve C minutes. Joffrey Lauvergne is returning from a week off with a toe injury, and Josh Richardson is set to return to the rotation also in a limited role.
So, here we go!
Break it dowwwwnnn!....the Match-ups that is.
Game 1, Oklahoma @ Los Angeles Clippers
The Clips moved arguably their best player last week in Taj Gibson, as part of the deal that brought Marjanovic to the Thunder but they remain a mystery as they seem to be able to beat almost anyone on their day still. It’s just a matter of the rookies clicking. DRuss has been great for them and will have all the minutes and shots he can handle until Alec Burks is back. This is the 4th and final time these 2 teams meet, with the Thunder holding the season advantage at 2-1.
Head2Head:
PG: Ricky Rubio Vs Dangelo
Russell – Russell moves back to PG after dropping 31 at SG last time they met.
Last time he met Rubio he shot 4-21. Anyone’s guess this time.
SG: Jimmy Butler Vs Devin
Booker – Booker is a fresh starter as he’s really improving and looks like a
future star. He’ll have some tough work to do against Jimmy though at this
point.
SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Vs Rodney
Hood – Hood scored 24 on Covington last time, but now has MKG to contend with
who’s speed and athleticism is likely to worry Hood.
PF: Draymond Green Vs Frank
Kaminsky – With Taj gone, Frank gets the start and he towers over Dray. Dray is
a ball of hurt though and Frank is raw raw raw.
C: Jonas Valanciunas Vs Clint
Capela – Pek is out again, so Val meets Capela this time. It should be a better
match-up for him as Pek muscled him around, while Clint is more finesse at this
stage.
Prediction: OKC -7. Have to go with the experience, though anything can happen with the rookies unleashed!
Game 2, Oklahoma @ Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are the cream of the West again as their mix of size and D is a formidable match up at any given moment. Chandler, Green and Iguodala are all again in the Allstar debate, though they’ll likely be bestowed more prestigious titles at the end of the season rather than the Allstar popularity tag. Not much is wrong in Lakerland with their starters, but they will miss key reserve Manu Ginobili this week. Last time out the Thunder got a 4th quarter special 2 point win.
Head2Head:
PG: Ricky Rubio Vs Aaron
Brooks – Brooks was smashed by Ricky last time. Same again.
SG: Jimmy Butler Vs Andre
Iguodala – Iggy was everywhere for 34 points last time they met but Jimmy
Butler had the last laugh taking POG. Good old fashion duke it out battle!
SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Vs Gerald
Green – Green had Covington last time and put up an efficient 23 points. MKG
will match up a little better defensively with him, but he’s also less work
down the other end.
PF: Draymond Green Vs Mason
Plumlee – Plumlee was all over Green last time and with his size and
athleticism, we’d expect about the same.
C: Jonas Valanciunas Vs Tyson
Chandler – These 2 had opposite lines last time. 15-8 for Val, 8-15 for Chandler.
Sums up each of their roles perfectly. They’ll be a comparative stalemate.
Prediction: Lakers -3. We’re tipping revenge, but believe it can be close once again.
Game 3, Boston @ Oklahoma
The Celtics now sit 2nd on the East standings…which is pretty much the league standings too, on equal losses to the Cavs. They are not slowing down. The starting line-up reads like an allstar game and with strong personnel off the bench also, they really could take this thing the whole way this season. Last time they met the Thunder, they smashed them by 21 points and at one stage held the Thunder’s dynamic duo of Butler and Covington to 1/20 shooting combined. That’s some serious hurt. It could be a white wash once again really.
Head2Head:
PG: Ricky Rubio Vs Ty
Lawson – Lawson and Rubio played out a fair stalemate last time and they could
very well do again. Rubio’s going missing is more important to the Thunder
though than Lawson’s is to the Celts.
SG: Jimmy Butler Vs Trevor
Ariza – Butler went 3-16 last time against Ariza’s length…and Trevor dropped 22.
Smackdown.
SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Vs Kevin
Durant – KD was a beast on Covington last time, but MKG won’t force shots like
RoCo and he’ll knuckle down entirely on D. In the offseason MKG had a tendency
to be a bit of a KD killer…hopefully it translates!
PF: Draymond Green Vs Al
Horford – Horford smashed Dray last time, but that’s a common theme it seems.
He’ll do it again.
C: Jonas Valanciunas Vs Nikola
Vucevic – Val was a bright spot for the Thunder last time, but Vuc matched and
bettered him. It’s really not looking good for the Thunder!
Prediction: Boston -10. Yeah we’ve halved the margin of last time…for no apparent reason. Maybe the Celts will just rest in game and allow it to stay this close.
Game 4, Oklahoma @ Miami
The Heat are sitting in the same place as the Thunder, but in the tougher East. They’re 1.5 games outside the 8th slot and beating comparative teams, like OKC, is a key. Same goes for the Thunder of course. You only need to look at their injury report to know where part of the key lies with Tim Duncan and Al Jefferson sitting there and the Heat line-up would be far more potent and formidable with those big men in it. That’s not taking anything away from the West/Johnson combo though, but man that’d be a 4 pronger to write home about! They have met once this season, and the Thunder scraped out a 2 point. This game should be tight!
Head2Head:
PG: Ricky Rubio Vs Rajon
Rondo – These two have the same scouting report except one is Spanish. They
played like that too last time with near identical statlines. Probably much the
same story this time.
SG: Jimmy Butler Vs JR
Smith – Butler torched JR for 36 points last time and his defensive numbers
probably won them the game as well. JR needs to be more competitive this time.
SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Vs Rudy
Gay – Gay and Covington had a great slog last time, with the choccies probably
breaking even. Gay scored and did more, but took a lot more shots to do it. MKG
though won’t be interested in getting into a shoot out.
PF: Draymond Green Vs David
West – Dray had Duncan last time got smashed. West at least is a little shorter
and plays a bit further away from the cup. Much better match-up for Dray but
fairly neutral to the game result.
C: Jonas Valanciunas Vs Amir
Johnson – Amir had Pleiss last time…and got outplayed by him. Tibor isn’t even
on the Thunder anymore and JVal has been a wrecking ball inside.
Prediction: OKC -1. It really could come down to those 2 big man veteran outs and we wouldn’t be surprised to see this go to OT.
2-2 week tipped, and that could go south really. The 2 losses you’d suggest are near locks, and the wins aren’t a sure thing. They really need to get the 2-2 result at worst though for the playoff hunt to remain intact. Go get it OKC!
- OKC News
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