The Oklahoma City Thunder Should Be A Big Disappointment (2016-17)
Even though many NBA pundits believe that the Oklahoma City Thunder are still going to be a good team without Kevin Durant that shouldn't be the case as they are going to be one of the biggest disappointments. This is because the Thunder are going to most likely run a half court offense similar to when Durant had to miss games with the Jones fracture injury. Where Russell Westbrook will bring the ball up the floor until he gets up to the three point line, then he calls for a screen. Once the screen is set, he goes over the top of it and if there is no defender on the other side of the screen he will drive to the basket. Westbrook will try to score if he sees a wide open path towards the basket, otherwise, he will pass it to the perimeter to try to get a three point shot for the team. On the other hand, if there is a defender on the other side of the screen he will pass to the screener for a wide open shot. However, the Thunder won't be able to effectively run this type of offense because the team does not have enough players who are capable of consistently making a three. As a result, opposing defenses will focus on clogging up the painted area which will force the team to take a contested shot in the paint or settle for a long two pointer or a three point shot that they will have difficulty making. For instance, on most possessions I expect that Westbrook will bring the ball up the floor until he gets up to the three point line, then he calls for a screen. Once the screen is set, he goes over the top of it and he will be tempted to shoot the three because he knows this is the only wide open shot will get. On top of that he knows that if he decides to attack the basket, the opposing team will collapse on him which forces him to choose the lesser of two evils either take a contested shot or kick it out for an ineffective three. Due to this, the Thunder should suffer a significant drop off in scoring and three-point shooting from last season. Which should lead to the team losing more games than they are supposed to thus they will be labeled as a big disappointment.
[2015-16 Oklahoma City Thunder Roster and Stats | Basketball-Reference.com](Team Scoring & 3 Point Shooting Averages As Well As Indiviual Player Stats)
(Ersan Ilyasova's 3 point percentage)
(Victor Oladipo's 3 point percentage)
[Russell Westbrook 43 points @ Chicago (Full Highlights) (03/05/15)][Russell Westbrook Full Triple-Highlights 2015.04.01 vs Mavericks - 31 Pts, 11 Rebs 11 Dimes!]( 2 examples of the thunder's half court offense without Durant)
