Here we go with the sixteenth appointment with Keeping Up With the Thunder and my five takes about the past week of Thunder basketball.
THE WEEK
The Oklahoma City Thunder played four games this past week, and, surprise, they lost every one of them. The first loss came against the tanking partners Detroit Pistons, 104-110. Then, two days after, the Thunder surrendered to the Toronto Raptors, 106-112. The two final defeats of the week came against the Washington Wizards 107-119, and last night, against the Indiana Pacers, 116-122.
KEEP ON LOSING
The Thunder have now lost twelve consecutive games and are holding the 5th worst record in the league at 20-39. However, on the bright side, all of this week’s losses were very close. The Thunder fought in every game, and every game could have ended with a win, but here we are again commenting on four losses. Now, sometimes there are bad wins and good losses, but when you lose twelve games in a row, I think that you can’t count good losses anymore. With all the resting, injuries precaution procedure, and all the “be bad” goal, I really don’t see the Thunder winning any of the remaining thirteen games. A possibility would be if OKC would not have the chance to gain or lose a spot in the standings, and they decide to play SGA, Dort, and Baze at the same time. But, at this point, just try to finish without injuries, and it is what it is.
KING DORT
Lu Dort. If you constantly read KUWTT, then you know how much I love Lu. Actually, now that I think about it, how can anyone not love him? And game after game, like good wine, Dort is getting better and better. Once again, he played only two games this week, but what a show! The second-year player averaged 27.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.0 turnovers. His shooting splits are incredible: FG 51.4% – 3PT 50% (on eight attempts per game). The only aspect of the game that Dort needs to improve is the free-throw shooting. This week he shot only 68.6% from the line, while he is 72.7% overall for the season. There is still plenty of time.
BAZE ON THE RISE
Darius Bazley had a season full of ups and downs, injuries, and whatnot. But, this past week was a very positive one for the young forward. Baze played all four games and averaged 21.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 3.0 turnovers. He did not shoot the ball well from behind the three points line (20.7% on 7.3 attempts per game), but he remained aggressive and scored on consecutive games twenty-six points (career-high). I am sure that Darius will finish the season on a high note, which he will bring into next season.
THEO EST BON, TRÈS BON
Yes, also this week the nineteen years old showed that he is special. And let’s forget about the shooting percentages, which are not great, but let’s talk about he can manage the floor without hesitation at his young age and produce every single week. In the past four games, Maledon averaged 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 rebounds. Theo ranks sixth in points scored per game this season (minimum forty-five games played), second in assists, and seventh in steals. Once again, he is only nineteen years old. The future is more than bright for the French point guard and for the Thunder.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
- Against the Toronto Raptors, Lu Dort became the seventh player in Thunder history to score 20+ points in a single quarter.
COMING UP
- Friday, 23rd April: Thunder versus Wizards
- Monday, 26th April: Thunder at 76ers
- Tuesday, 27th April: Thunder at Celtics
