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Thunder weekly grades: Russell Westbrook returns, Thunder roll

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Who stepped up for the Thunder this past week to lead them to a 2-1 record?

By JuanToribio and Ali AlShowaikh
/ new

The Thunder finally snapped their 6 game losing streak by defeating the Jazz, and then saw Russell Westbrook return to dominate the Knicks. Who along with Westbrook made the biggest impact this week?

Game 1: Thunder can't pull off the upset, fall to Warriors 91-86

Game 2: Thunder end 6 game losing streak, defeat Jazz 97-82

Game 3: Russell Westbrook smashes Knicks in return to action, Thunder win 105-78

***
RUSSELL WESTBROOK Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 1 24.0 32.0 7.0 8.0 0.0 1.0 3.0 +24.0
JUAN
grade_Aplusplus
Russell Westbrook is back and he beat the Knicks all by himself. He flirted with a triple-double in just 24 minutes (!!) and showed no rust. The team needed a spark and they got one on Friday.
ALI
grade_Aplusplus
Westbrook was spectacular. Russell Westbrook became the 1st player in the shot-clock era with 32 points and 8 assists in 24 or fewer minutes according to ESPN Stats.
SERGE IBAKA Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 29.7 16.7 7.3 1.3 3.0 0.3 1.7 +6.0
JUAN
Serge Ibaka doesn't have to worry much about the offensive end and he can return to being a force blocking shots and rebounding. The return of Westbrook helps the entire team, especially Ibaka.
ALI
grade_B
Ibaka is doing a great job on the defensive end grabbing defensive rebounds, blocking shots, and clearing the team's defensive mistakes. However, he's struggling in producing consistent offense by still relying too much on 3-pointers. Westbrook's presence should get him better looks from his preferred mid-range.

ANDRE ROBERSON Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 27.7 4.0 3.7 0.3 1.0 1.0 0.3 +7.7
JUAN
Andre Roberson is slowly becoming this year's Thabo Sefolosha.
ALI
grade_Cplus
In my previous weekly grades, I gave Roberson a D or D+ I believe. However, the reason he deserves a C+ is that his athleticism and defensive abilities had impressed me a lot. Also, his ability to drive to the lane and finish off alley-oops is a good asset for the team.
STEVEN ADAMS Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 24.7 7.3 10.0 0.7 0.3 0.3 1.0 +7.7
JUAN
I've been saying that Steven Adams will be more productive and effective once Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant come back and we're not getting to that point. Hopefully he doesn't disappoint.
Ali
grade_Cplus
Adams continues to grow as a player, but he's struggling for consistency on both ends. He's doing his obligations but not at a satisfying level.

REGGIE JACKSON Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 33.0 18.0 7.0 6.7 0.0 1.3 3.0 +8.0
JUAN
Reggie Jackson doesn't have to be the number one offensive guy anymore and I do think we're going to see him make better decisions with his shot selection because if not, he'll get an earful from the other scoring point guard on the team.
ALI
grade_Bplus
Im totally satisfied with Jackson's performance except for a handful of forced bad shots each game, which results in him struggling from the field. He needs to improve in making the right offensive decisions.
JEREMY LAMB Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 19.0 13.0 2.7 1.7 0.3 1.3 1.0 +4.7
JUAN
Jeremy Lamb caught fire and he always shows his flashes of how good he could be offensively, the problem is defense and consistency with Lamb. Now Ali is going to tell you how efficient he is with stats.
ALI
grade_Aminus
Jeremy Lamb started cold but in his last two games he was tremendous. He's shooting 10-of-11 for 31 points in his last 31 minutes played.

KENDRICK PERKINS Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 21.0 5.3 6.7 1.0 1.0 0.0 2.0 +8.0
JUAN
We all know Kendrick Perkins is extremely limited offensively but as long as he plays solid defense, sets some sick screens and plays hard, Perk is going to be okay.
ALI
grade_Cplus
He's putting a lot of effort and commitment into his game, but the outcome is still isn't enough. When he plays, the center spot is almost dead on the floor except for the fact of grabbing few rebounds.

NICK COLLISON Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 15.7 1.3 3.0 0.7 0.3 0.3 1.3 +7.0
JUAN
Nick Collison does what Nick Collison does.
ALI
grade_Cplus
Collison is already old and cannot contribute much on the team. However, I like how he sets up plays on the perimeter through passing the ball. Though he is working to reinvent his game, his production continues to decline.

ANTHONY MORROW Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 29.7 12.0 5.3 1.3 0.3 1.7 1.0 +11.7
JUAN
Much like I said with Adams, Anthony Morrow is a guy who's going to benefit from playing around stars and with Westbrook back and Durant's return looming, Morrow's sniper abilities will be in full display.
ALI
grade_B
I view Morrow as a reliable offensive weapon on the team. However, he is trying to do too much; he needs to focus on his strengths in shooting the ball as a spot-up shooter.

SEBASTIAN TELFAIR Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 2 14.0 6.0 1.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 +3.0
JUAN Waived :(
ALI Waived Fare well, Bassy.

ISH SMITH Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 2 3.5 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -4.0
JUAN
grade_C
N/A
ALI
grade_C
N/A

LANCE THOMAS Games Played MIN PPG REB AST BL ST TO +/-
(Average Stats) 3 17.0 2.7 3.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.7 -4.7
JUAN
Yeah, Lance Thomas is really struggling out on the basketball court recently.
ALI
grade_Cminus
Poor Thomas is struggling from every aspect in his game. He can't score points nor contribute in helping his team defensively. It is puzzling why he still plays so many minutes.

Thunder_medium

TEAM GRADE Record OffRtg DefRtg AstRatio REB% TS% PACE +/-
(Advanced Stats) 2-1 100.2 87.9 14.0 56.4% 50.5% 95.5 +12.3
JUAN
Two straight wins for the Thunder and there's suddenly a ton of energy surrounding this team with Westbrook back. If the team can get on a nice roll and then get Kevin Durant back, this team still has time to salvage a postseason run.
ALI
grade_Bplus
Two straight wins for the Thunder, a first this season. In their last 3-4 games, they are starting to shoot better from the field and finish games with short deficits.

SCOTT BROOKS Coaching Grade
JUAN
When Scott Brooks was asked who benefits more from the return of Westbrook, he answered with "me". And he's 100% correct.
ALI
grade_B
Scott Brooks isn't bad, but the fact that he's typically clueless in solving the Thunder's issues is frustrating. Now as he won two straight games with his team, he needs to ensure the presence of his team on that certain level.

*All player images via www.usatodaysportsimages.com

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