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Thunder weekly grades: Andre Roberson returns, but players slide

How did the Thunder players perform this past week? We offer our weekly grade analysis today.

By JuanToribio and Ali AlShowaikh
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Three games, three opportunities against struggling teams, and unfortunately, three losses. What happened to the Thunder this past week, who struggled, and who stepped up?

Game 1: Utah runs over Thunder in 2nd half, 98-81

Game 2: Thunder offense returns, defense disappears in loss to Nuggets, 107-100

Game 3: Thunder lose lead, lose again to Nets, 94-92
SERGE IBAKA Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 32.0 14.7 9.7 0.0 1.0 0.3 0.7 -1.3
JUAN
Serge Ibaka is the best player on this team until the Durant and Westbrook come back, and unfortunately, he didn't play like it this week. He was bad against the Jazz, and although he wasn't bad against Denver and Brooklyn, he often looked disengaged and that was my biggest concern. Ibaka has been lucky to have success for the most part in his career and we have to think that losing so many games is finally getting to him.
ALI
grade_B
That dude was disappointing against the Jazz, but managed to improve his performance in the next two games against the Nuggets and Nets by scoring in double digits as well as grabbing rebounds in double digits. However, defensively he was a bit frustrating in terms of helping the defense and clearing the Thunder mistakes.

ANDRE ROBERSON Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 2 14.0 3.5 3.0 1.5 2.0 1.0 0.5 +3.5
JUAN
Andre Roberson's defense is really good, I just hope I could say the same thing for him on the other end of the floor.
ALI
grade_Dplus
Andre Roberson has been frustrating since the season began. He lacks in producing offense from all aspects. The only positive sign in his performance is his ability to defend his opposing player and in his ability to help the team defensively by stealing, rebounding, and blocking shots.

3
STEVEN ADAMS Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 23.3 9.7 4.3 0.7 1.7 0.3 2.7 -2.7
JUAN
I think we all love Steven Adams, but he was bad this week for the Thunder. Averaging 4.3 rebounds in a week as a starting center isn't okay and he struggled defensively as well. Adams needs to start playing better or the Thunder aren't going to win many games these next couple of weeks.
ALI
grade_Cplus
Back in days, when we used to complain how the center position is dead with Perkins presence in the starting spot, Adams fixed that issue by making the following spot alive on the team. However, that was for a couple of games in the beginning of the season. Meanwhile, the spot is dead again as Adams is struggling both on offensive and defensive ends. He's just contributing inconsistently on the boards.

REGGIE JACKSON Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 35.0 15.7 4.7 8.0 0.0 1.3 2.3 -4.3
JUAN
Reggie Jackson is fighting tough for this team. Does he take the smartest shots sometimes? Absolutely not, but he's also the only guy that can consistently create for himself and others. I think he's doing a nice job at distributing the basketball and his 8 assists this week demonstrates that.
ALI
grade_Bminus
We all know that Jackson is probably the only player left on the floor who lifts the Thunder offensively. He scores numerous points as well as dishes numerous assists. However, he struggles a lot from the field and forces many bad shots. Beside that, he has been weak defensively in being able to guard his opposing guard carefully.
JEREMY LAMB Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 24.7 10.7 2.3 2.7 0.3 1.0 0.7 -9.7
JUAN
Jeremy Lamb has some issues defensively and when you have a +/- of -9.7 in a week where your team losses two games by 7 and 2, there's a problem. I like Lamb, especially offensively, but he needs to be a more complete player or he can't keep logging up big minutes.
ALI
grade_Dplus
Offensively and defensively terrible. He lacks in confidence and in producing offense just as well just like Roberson. He takes many bad shots. Basically, he's frustrating on both offensive and defensive ends.

KENDRICK PERKINS Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 21.3 5.7 5.3 0.7 0.3 0.7 2.0 +5.7
JUAN
Kendrick Perkins has been a positive thus far this season, in my opinion. He's not a game changer but he's also not hurting the team like he did in years past.
ALI
grade_C
I like the fact that Perkins is improving in terms of putting high effort and commitment into his game. His numbers might not be impressive but if you compare how he is now to how he used to be in the previous season, the difference will be notable. However, he needs to provide the Thunder with a consistent support offensively and defensively.

NICK COLLISON Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 19.0 6.3 2.7 1.3 0.3 0.3 0.7 -4.0
JUAN
I think Nick Collison is really limited on what he can do without the stars of the team on the floor. I think once Durant and Westbrook come back, Collison will become a bigger contributor. Until then, he's just being solid Collison for a team that is desperately looking for something great.
ALI
grade_Cplus
Collison is already old, and his offensive and defensive are limited. I like the job he's doing in terms of how capable he is in expanding his range, passing the ball, and setting up plays on the perimeter. He's doing his best in providing the team with certain amount of spark and energy but everything due to the terrible Thunder's situation, he is limited as well in doing what he's good at.

ANTHONY MORROW Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 29.3 9.7 2.7 1.0 0.0 1.3 0.7 +0.3
JUAN
Anthony Morrow is a shooter, but he also needs open shots which come with spacing. This team doesn't have anybody worth of a double team and it's hurting Morrow. I'm not worried about him because he'll get plenty of open looks once the stars get back into the lineup.
ALI
grade_Cplus
As one of the decent 3-point shooters in the league, Morrow should be a superior weapon on the roster but sadly he is not providing the Thunder enough offensive support. He even doesn't help supports Reggie Jackson offensively especially in the 4th quarter, which is the quarter where the Thunder struggle at the most.

SEBASTIAN TELFAIR Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 17.7 10.3 1.3 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 -4.7
JUAN
I like Sebastian Telfair and he did some good things this week. Now we just have to keep hoping he continues doing good things.
ALI
grade_Bminus
Telfair actually impressed this week. He's expanding his range to the 3-point line successfully. However, he needs to improve his shooting both from midrange and behind the arc on consistent basis.

ISH SMITH Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 1 4.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.0
JUAN
Well, Ish Smith really didn't do anything this week except get a couple assists in garbage time against the Jazz. At least we know what his role on the team is, though.
ALI
grade_D
He only played for 4 minutes against Utah and scored one point through a free throw. He also committed two turnovers. Nothing optimistic or impressive about that, just terrible.

LANCE THOMAS Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 27.0 5.7 4.3 0.7 0.0 1.0 0.3 -11.3
JUAN
Inconsistency from a young player is expected and that's exactly what Lance Thomas is suffering from now.
ALI
grade_Cminus
Thomas needs to get involved more in the offense. He's trying to do that, but he's struggling from the field. The Thunder coaching staff should work out things with him for instance improving his midrange jumpers. He's good at grabbing rebounds but unfortunately he's inconsistent.

Thunder_medium

TEAM GRADE Record OffRtg DefRtg AstRatio REB% TS% PACE +/-
(Advanced Stats) 0-3 99.0 110.2 15.1 46.9% 49.5% 91.2 -8.7
JUAN
Honestly, I admire the competitiveness of this team and they've dealt through a lot, but you can't keep blowing leads in the second half. Durant and Westbrook are a couple of weeks away (I believe) and the Western Conference will not feel bad for the Thunder so this team needs to put together a string of wins.
ALI
grade_Cplus
The entire team is filled with a competitive spirit, but they just keep failing in nailing victories. They're always close to victories, but they end up defeated.

SCOTT BROOKS Coaching Grade
JUAN
Scott Brooks is in a tough situation but it ultimately comes down to games won and lost, and right now, his team is losing a ton of games. I don't think this is all on Brooks, but he needs to find a way for the team to hold on to leads in the second half because they've blown far too many of those in a time where they can't afford to do so.
ALI
grade_Cplus
Brooks needs to utilize players minutes effectively. He needs to get the team to play on a certain rhythm that would be beneficial for them constantly. He also needs to get the players used to play based on X and O's formations.

*All player images via www.usatodaysportsimages.com

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