Weekly Thunder Grades: Russell Westbrook broken yet unbroken, Kanter, McGary follow his lead

The Thunder finished the week at 2-2. Which players contributed the most?

By Joey Conger Mar 3, 2015, 10:02am CST

The Thunder were riding a 7 game winning streak when they went into Phoenix and finally got caught with a sub-par performance. The next night, another tough loss, but the week ended with a win in L.A. Which players contributed the most?

Game 1: Thunder bench overwhelms Indiana, 105-92

Game 2: Thunder see winning streak snapped in Phoenix, Suns win 117-113

Game 3: Thunder come up just short in Portland, 115-112

Game 4: Shorthanded Thunder end losing skid with 100-103 win over Lakers

***

KEVIN DURANT	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	0	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
JOEY		Eh.
SHERMAN		I saw Kevin Durant walking around on the court in L.A. with no noticeable limp. That's something, right?

RUSSELL WESTBROOK	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	3	36.0	33.0	12.7	10.7	0.0	1.7	5.0	-2.7
JOEY		Three straight triple doubles. Can I do an A+++?
SHERMAN		Which is easier to overlook - the fact that Russell Westbrook could easily have had 4 straight triple-doubles had he not sat out the 4th quarter against the Nuggets, and just posted one of the greatest statistical months in NBA history (31-11-9)? Or the fact that Westbrook came up a little short against the Suns and Trail Blazers, missing potential game-tying shots at the end, which keeps OKC firmly rooted in the 8th seed?

SERGE IBAKA	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	4	36.5	17.0	9.8	0.8	2.8	0.5	0.8	+2.0
JOEY		He's looked like good 'ol Serge Ibaka since the All-Star break. I have no clue what his rim protection has to do with him not shooting threes, but there ha to be something, right?
SHERMAN		Serge Ibaka's last 4 games - 2 for 5 from 3-point range. And yet...averaging a near double-double and shooting 52% from the floor. Coincidence?

ANDRE ROBERSON	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	4	18.5	3.3	3.8	0.8	0.3	0.8	0.3	+0.3
JOEY		THE GUY BROKE RUSS' FACE! Dre also banked in a corner three. No way he called glass.
SHERMAN		The things that Andre Roberson does well, he continues to do well, for the most part, although the defensive breakdowns at the end of the Blazers game was disconcerting. The problem though is that the things that he should be getting better at, he isn't.

STEVEN ADAMS	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	0	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
JOEY		Eh.
SHERMAN		No updates yet, but strong jacket game by Funaki.

ENES KANTER	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	3	29.7	16.3	8.7	2.0	0.3	0.0	2.0	+5.0
JOEY		Now, before you go and get mad at me, hear me out. He missed the Portland game, and played awful pick and roll defense against Phoenix. Probably would've won both games, had he played up to par.
SHERMAN		Enes Kanter's offense is such a joy to watch for Thunder fans. Granted it was against the Lakers, but the way he was able to control the offense from the left block was a sight to behold. That said, watching Kanter's PnR 'defense' reminded me a bit of the Cleveland Indians coaches' reaction when they realized Cerrano couldn't hit the curveball.

DION WAITERS	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	4	30.0	11.5	2.3	1.5	0.0	0.5	0.3	+5.3
JOEY		[Insert step back jumper joke]
SHERMAN		Color me stunned that Dion Waiters is somehow a net positive for his team. I don't really get it, honestly. He plays near-starter minutes despite not being a great shooter or finisher, he doesn't rebound, and he doesn't pass particularly well. What am I missing?

DJ AGUSTIN	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	4	28.3	10.0	4.3	4.8	0.0	1.0	1.0	+3.3
JOEY		Augustin filled in for Westbrook on Sunday, and did so admirably. Russell better not miss too may more games or DJ might want $14 million and a starting point guard job.
SHERMAN		What I like most about watching DJ Augustin is that he looks like he is always completely in control of the moment. He is quick and aggressive, but he doesn't take risks. He's not a great shooter, but he's good enough. I really want to see him as lead guard at the end of games to let Westbrook and Durant work off-ball to get open looks. DJ makes the game easier for his teammates, and that's a very good thing.

NICK COLLISON	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	4	17.5	6.3	5.3	1.0	0.8	1.0	0.8	0.0
JOEY		Double digit points on Sunday for Nicky! I have to admit, I love Nick Collison more than some family members.
SHERMAN		It is time to humbly admit that Nick Collison's jump shot is all but gone. He may still knock down the occasional corner-3, but its reliability has left this mortal coil. No matter though, because Nick's strengths are resurfacing - finishing at the rim in the PnR game. More, please!

ANTHONY MORROW	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	4	20.5	8.8	2.3	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	+8.5
JOEY		Had 13 first half points against Portland and some big 3s against Phoenx. Solid week for AMO.
SHERMAN		I like what Anthony Morrow is bringing to the mix, and I think at 20 minutes a night, he's in the right target. What the Thunder offense needs to be careful of though is putting him in situations where he has to create his own shot. That doesn't work.

MITCH MCGARY	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	4	16.8	7.3	5.3	0.5	0.5	0.8	0.8	+3.5
JOEY		I'm all for Mitch hustling and everything, but he gets winded way too easily. If he didn't need a breather against Portland, he might've had 30 points.
SHERMAN		Mitch McGary is going to lay the occasional stinker, as he did against the Lakers. He's also going to be bad at defense. I can accept that. But when you see him hitting on offense on all cylinders as he was for a stretch against the Blazers, it's a ton of fun to watch.

KYLE SINGLER	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	4	22.8	4.5	2.0	1.3	0.8	0.3	0.5	-1.0
JOEY	n/a	n/a
SHERMAN		Filling in for Kevin Durant is no easy task. The best thing I can say for Kyle Singler is that he doesn't look like he's hurting the team when he's out there. He doesn't force bad shots, he doesn't foul a lot, and he plays good defense. Great glue guy.

PERRY JONES III	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	1	5.0	0.0	2.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	-10.0
JOEY		Eh.
SHERMAN		Hello. Is there anybody in there? Please nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone at home?

JEREMY LAMB	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	2	10.5	8.0	2.0	0.5	0.5	0.5	1.0	-9.5
JOEY		I would like to welcome you all aboard the Jeremy Lamb Bandwagon. It's been getting kind of lonely ever since everyone left in mid December.
SHERMAN		There's the Jeremy Lamb we (I) know and love! But my goodness, I don't know how Brooks can look at the way Lamb plays offensively and conclude he doesn't deserve some minutes at Waiters' expense.

STEVE NOVAK	Games Played	MIN	PPG	REB	AST	BL	ST	TO	+/-

(Average Stats)	0	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
JOEY		Eh.
SHERMAN		Steve Novak's recovery from appendicitis continues apace. Or so I would imagine.

TEAM GRADE	Record	OffRtg	DefRtg	AstRatio	REB%	TS%	PACE	+/-

(Advanced Stats)	2-2	105.8	104.3	15.3	79.1%	51.1%	100.1	+3.3
JOEY		Really would've liked that win in Portland, but regardless. 2-2 without Steve Novak (and Kevin Durant) is acceptable.
SHERMAN		Oh how I wish OKC had managed a win against either the Suns or Blazers. 3-1 playing without Durant would have been sweet. As it is, we have to be satisfied that at least they are holding onto the 8th spot with 2 more easy games coming up.


SCOTT BROOKS	Coaching Grade
JOEY		Creds to Scotty for keeping Lamb ready to play, despite his role being reduced to absolute zero. I'm not as mad about his rotations as most people, but I think they can improve.
SHERMAN		Did you know that Scott Brooks just won the NBA coach of the month award? The only knock I have against him this past week is how the Thunder offense fell apart in the 4th quarter against the Blazers. Otherwise, he did a pretty good job getting everyone playing the right way. The Suns game was an outlier (as was the Lakers game) but keeping the Thunder in front of Portland for most of the game represented some good coaching. Unfortunately it was followed by some bad coaching.

SCOTT BROOKS

Coaching Grade

JOEY

Creds to Scotty for keeping Lamb ready to play, despite his role being reduced to absolute zero. I'm not as mad about his rotations as most people, but I think they can improve.

SHERMAN

Did you know that Scott Brooks just won the NBA coach of the month award? The only knock I have against him this past week is how the Thunder offense fell apart in the 4th quarter against the Blazers. Otherwise, he did a pretty good job getting everyone playing the right way. The Suns game was an outlier (as was the Lakers game) but keeping the Thunder in front of Portland for most of the game represented some good coaching. Unfortunately it was followed by some bad coaching.

*All player images via www.usatodaysportsimages.com

Weekly Thunder Grades: Russell Westbrook broken yet unbroken, Kanter, McGary follow his lead

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