OKC Thunder 2013 - 2014

[dankrutka]

Adams' performances have been very consistent. He needs to play at least 15 minutes a game right off the bat. Lamb played his best game last night also. Very encouraging. I hope he can develop a little consistency also.

[onthestrip]

Obviously we arent going to be shelving Perk and playing Adams 25+ mins a game but Adams play certainly looks good enough to get good mins early in the season, which also helps to keep Perk rested. Because we will still need Perk's physical defense throughout the season and especially in the playoffs. I dont think Adams is ready to guard Dwight Howard yet, so we arent dont with Perk.

There was a quick stretch of play from Adams last night we he blocked Boozer, got the steal, ran the court and rebounded missed fast break shot. He failed to make the put back but everything else in that sequence was very encouraging.

[OSUMom]

Lamb looked great last night. Would love to see that become the norm instead of the exception.

[Laramie]

Obviously we arent going to be shelving Perk and playing Adams 25+ mins a game but Adams play certainly looks good enough to get good mins early in the season, which also helps to keep Perk rested. Because we will still need Perk's physical defense throughout the season and especially in the playoffs. I dont think Adams is ready to guard Dwight Howard yet, so we arent dont with Perk.

There was a quick stretch of play from Adams last night we he blocked Boozer, got the steal, ran the court and rebounded missed fast break shot. He failed to make the put back but everything else in that sequence was very encouraging.

Adams has been impressive for the preseason. They will work him into the regular season rotation and as he continues to show progress--the minutes will be available.

I was surprised that they left Derrick Rose in there as long as they did; my God if something had happened to him, Tom Thibodea would be on the hot seat. Scott Brooks took the time to use these exhibition games to examine his players thoroughly and use this as a tool for evaluating the players who will earn a spot on the Thunder roster.

[dankrutka]

Obviously we arent going to be shelving Perk and playing Adams 25+ mins a game but Adams play certainly looks good enough to get good mins early in the season, which also helps to keep Perk rested. Because we will still need Perk's physical defense throughout the season and especially in the playoffs. I dont think Adams is ready to guard Dwight Howard yet, so we arent dont with Perk.

Perk is still a good one-on-one defender, he's good in pick and rolls, and he is a good defensive leader. However, this is negated by his shortcomings in almost every other aspect of basketball. He's arguably the worst offensive player in the NBA, he is an under average rebounder, he is not a very good rim protector, he runs the floor poorly. So far, Adams has consistently shown the ability to be a drastically better offensive player, rim protector, passer, and he is a quick learner. If the goal of this team is to be playing its best basketball in April then giving Adams significant minutes seems the best route. It's easy to overestimate Perk's ability to guard guys like Dwight. Perk has been destroyed numerous times by big guys for big games so it's not like he shuts Dwight down on a regular basis or anything.

I'd be fine with Perk starting if we still had Westbrook, but trotting out Perk and Thabo together in the starting lineup every night makes for a lot of slow offensive starts. I'm sure Perk will be the starter on Wednesday, but if Adams continues his quick progression than Brooks has to either make him the starter or play him starter minutes. Adams could really be a difference maker for this team.

[Teo9969]

We need to tap the breaks. I am excited about Adams as much as anybody, but it was the preseason. Adams hasn't seen a real NBA game nor real NBA competition and he has shown some areas for concern especially on the defensive end. Adams minutes should depend 80% on his defensive play and 20% on his offensive play. Calling for him to see 15+ minutes all season long based on the preseason is a bit preemptive. And he will probably see 10+ minutes for sure until Westbrook is back. If he continues to shine and show potential, then his minutes may get upped. But again, at this point, we know very little about Steven Adams as an NBA player.

[Teo9969]

Adams has been impressive for the preseason. They will work him into the regular season rotation and as he continues to show progress--the minutes will be available.

I was surprised that they left Derrick Rose in there as long as they did; my God if something had happened to him, Tom Thibodea would be on the hot seat. Scott Brooks took the time to use these exhibition games to examine his players thoroughly and use this as a tool for evaluating the players who will earn a spot on the Thunder roster.

He didn't just leave Rose in there, he left their late game line-up (minus Noah) in there as well. But it was a good call because this is a line-up that needs to play for the #1 seed in the East, which means they need to redevelop that consistency and be ready from Game 1/82 to get serious in crunch time if they have to. That live practice is necessary when the centerpiece of your team hasn't played NBA basketball for 18 months. It was probably good for them mentally to come back from being down by 7 in the last half of the 4th, and given OKC's lineup, to thoroughly dominate them at the end.

[dankrutka]

We need to tap the breaks. I am excited about Adams as much as anybody, but it was the preseason. Adams hasn't seen a real NBA game nor real NBA competition and he has shown some areas for concern especially on the defensive end. Adams minutes should depend 80% on his defensive play and 20% on his offensive play. Calling for him to see 15+ minutes all season long based on the preseason is a bit preemptive. And he will probably see 10+ minutes for sure until Westbrook is back. If he continues to shine and show potential, then his minutes may get upped. But again, at this point, we know very little about Steven Adams as an NBA player.

You realize that NBA players play in preseason, right? Adams has played against some good competition (e.g., Anthony Davis, Enes Kanter). Does he still have a lot to prove? Sure. Has he been consistent in every summer league and preseason game? Yes. Has he shown more ability during these games than Thabeet or Perkins have over the last 4 years of their careers? Yes. Neither Thabeet or post-2010 Perkins have shown the ability to do the things Adams has been doing. It should translate to the regular season (of course, with bumps in the road). If we had a competent NBA center on our roster I would be more patient with Adams, but all he has to do to get minutes is beat out a slightly above average defensive player who is the worst offensive player in the NBA in Perk. That's not asking a lot.

Rookies are major contributors all the time in the NBA. They don't have to play minor league ball for 2 seasons before being "ready." Adams is ready enough to start with 15 minutes a game. If he just continues to play as he has then he deserves more minutes than that.

[OKCisOK4me]

Not to mention that the level of competition is still going to be higher in preseason play than in D-League play. I don't think they'll be sending Adams to Tulsa. Now Roberson? Probably.

[dankrutka]

Not to mention that the level of competition is still going to be higher in preseason play than in D-League play. I don't think they'll be sending Adams to Tulsa. Now Roberson? Probably.

Agreed. Roberson has a couple great skills that translate well to the NBA (defense, rebounding), but he'll probably spend pretty much the entire season in Tulsa. He is lost offensively right now.

[Praedura]

Abe heartily approves of the play of Stephen Adams.

[Teo9969]

Saying the preseason is legit.is like saying the regular season is.like the playoffs...

He has the tools, sure...but they have to be used in the context of a game that will play at a much faster and intense pace than the preseason. Passing lanes close quicker, defenses rotate faster, players get to and through the lane quicker, and the physicality will be at higher level. It is not okay for Steven Adams to cost us a game...so unless he is contributing, he needs to be on the bench.

[SouthsideSooner]

Saying the preseason is legit.is like saying the regular season is.like the playoffs...

He has the tools, sure...but they have to be used in the context of a game that will play at a much faster and intense pace than the preseason. Passing lanes close quicker, defenses rotate faster, players get to and through the lane quicker, and the physicality will be at higher level. It is not okay for Steven Adams to cost us a game...so unless he is contributing, he needs to be on the bench.

Did you watch the game last night on ESPN? It was the last preseason game and other than sitting Noah, Chicago played their regular rotations until the very end. Adams did a fine job against one of the best teams in the league...11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks in 30 minutes...

A good quote from Royce Young @DailyThunder... "One of the most impressive things about Adams performance tonight was how he improved mid-game at defending Boozer. The first two trips, Boozer absolutely schooled him, taking him away from the basket and facing up. But after that, Adams got a little bit of a feel for it, and late in the fourth quarter sent a shot right back in Boozer’s face."

[Teo9969]

Did you watch the game last night on ESPN? It was the last preseason game and other than sitting Noah, Chicago played their regular rotations until the very end. Adams did a fine job against one of the best teams in the league...11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks in 30 minutes...

A good quote from Royce Young @DailyThunder... "One of the most impressive things about Adams performance tonight was how he improved mid-game at defending Boozer. The first two trips, Boozer absolutely schooled him, taking him away from the basket and facing up. But after that, Adams got a little bit of a feel for it, and late in the fourth quarter sent a shot right back in Boozer’s face."

I watched the 2nd half right through to the finish. I also loved Adams' play in this game, especially that pwning of Boozer. I think he showed that he has the tools to contribute.

But if you really think anybody is giving the effort in these games that they will give in the regular season who has their playing time and their position in the rotation secured, you're just not being very realistic. Teams are trying things out, doing things they wouldn't normally do...especially against good competition.

Again, Adams has done nothing but impress in the preseason. And while yes, rookies contribute, when they're playing for contenders, they do so by proving themselves during a slow process of integration into the lineup...case in point: Kwahi Leonard.

I hope Adams could plays himself into 15 minutes...but he needs to actually play himself into 15 minutes, when it counts, before it's just given to him.

[dankrutka]

Why against the same competition does Adams look better, and put up better numbers, than Perkins and Thabeet? Of course, this is preseason, but Adams is doing things that the other 2 guys can't do. If the preseason competition is so weak then how come Perkins and Thabeet aren't destroying the competition?

[Teo9969]

Why against the same competition does Adams look better, and put up better numbers, than Perkins and Thabeet? Of course, this is preseason, but Adams is doing things that the other 2 guys can't do. If the preseason competition is so weak then how come Perkins and Thabeet aren't destroying the competition?

"But if you really think anybody is giving the effort in these games that they will give in the regular season who has their playing time and their position in the rotation secured, you're just not being very realistic. Teams are trying things out, doing things they wouldn't normally do...especially against good competition."

And for the record, I do think that Adams has earned the minutes over Thabeet...

[SouthsideSooner]

I watched the 2nd half right through to the finish. I also loved Adams' play in this game, especially that pwning of Boozer. I think he showed that he has the tools to contribute.

But if you really think anybody is giving the effort in these games that they will give in the regular season who has their playing time and their position in the rotation secured, you're just not being very realistic. Teams are trying things out, doing things they wouldn't normally do...especially against good competition.

Again, Adams has done nothing but impress in the preseason. And while yes, rookies contribute, when they're playing for contenders, they do so by proving themselves during a slow process of integration into the lineup...case in point: Kwahi Leonard.

I hope Adams could plays himself into 15 minutes...but he needs to actually play himself into 15 minutes, when it counts, before it's just given to him.

Thib's just doesn't operate that way... Who on the Bull's do you think was just coasting? Rose was incredible and I didn't get the since that anyone on their team was giving any less than their best effort.. They didn't play many minutes from their deep bench, it was all about winning...

I know our recent history is to redshirt rookies but I really think Adams has at least worked his way in to 2nd team center and may well be getting the major minutes there come the end of the season... Perk has value but it would be great to see him being used only when the match ups dictate it...

[Teo9969]

If Chicago was giving their best effort last night, OKC would have lost by 40 points

[Teo9969]

That...or Chicago is going to struggle to make the playoffs...

[dankrutka]

That...or Chicago is going to struggle to make the playoffs...

I'm not even sure what the argument is anymore. You've said Adams deserves back up minutes. I can live with that... Let the regular season begin.

[Bellaboo]

Saying the preseason is legit.is like saying the regular season is.like the playoffs...

He has the tools, sure...but they have to be used in the context of a game that will play at a much faster and intense pace than the preseason. Passing lanes close quicker, defenses rotate faster, players get to and through the lane quicker, and the physicality will be at higher level. It is not okay for Steven Adams to cost us a game...so unless he is contributing, he needs to be on the bench.

I kind of feel like Perk is costing us. I'm not sure he's as quick as he was when he was younger.He can't hardly jump anymore, and it takes him forever to collect and dunk the ball. What Perk did when he came was instilled a defensive toughness to this team. All Adams needs is experience, which he'll get since he's passed Hash. The organization has said Adams is already tough and a quick learner.....I'd say by January or February, he'll be the starter.

[TaoMaas]

Why against the same competition does Adams look better, and put up better numbers, than Perkins and Thabeet?

This is the equalizer on the Adams talk for me. The competition level is the same, but the results are not. That should tell us something.

[Bellaboo]

From a comment on DT -

'Aaron Bruski (top fantasy guy) has his minutes projections out for OKC today. He's traditionally rather excellent at this. Here's what we got. Westbrook (32-35), Jackson (35-38 pre WB, 29-34 after), Fisher (8-12), Thabo (30-36 pre WB, 26-31 after), Lamb (22-28 pre WB, 21-25 after), Durant (38-42), Jones (8-10 if he cracks rotation), Robes (5-10 if he cracks rotation), Ibaka (36-39 pre WB, 34-37 after), Collison (19-24), Perkins (16-20), Adams (18-23), Thabeet (8-14, if he cracks rotation)
'

Talking about predicting minutes.

[warreng88]

From a comment on DT -

'Aaron Bruski (top fantasy guy) has his minutes projections out for OKC today. He's traditionally rather excellent at this. Here's what we got. Westbrook (32-35), Jackson (35-38 pre WB, 29-34 after), Fisher (8-12), Thabo (30-36 pre WB, 26-31 after), Lamb (22-28 pre WB, 21-25 after), Durant (38-42), Jones (8-10 if he cracks rotation), Robes (5-10 if he cracks rotation), Ibaka (36-39 pre WB, 34-37 after), Collison (19-24), Perkins (16-20), Adams (18-23), Thabeet (8-14, if he cracks rotation)
'

Talking about predicting minutes.

That sounds about right. Perk will get more minutes earlier in the season and as the season progresses, Adams will take over. Probably not as the starter, but he will get more as the season rolls on.

[Teo9969]

If you add up that guy's LOW totals it is 262 minutes/game...

Through the All-Star break, I'd expect to see these averages...it totals to 250 because the Westbrook injury will throw off averages (but not by 22 - 40 minutes). The bracketed number is what I would expect to see post all-star break.

Westbrook: 30 [35]
Jackson: 30 [28]
Fisher: 10 [8]

Sefolosha: 28 [27]
Lamb: 13 [13]

Durant: 39 [37]
Roberson: 6 [6]
Gomes: 3 [3]

Ibaka: 34 [34]
Collison: 18 [14]
PJIII: 4 [6]

Perkins: 22 [20]
Adams: 10 [12]
Thabeet: 4 [4]

McGruder/Garrett: 1 [2]