NBA: Power Ranking Every Team’s Bench Unit Entering 2016-17
By Mason McFee
16. Oklahoma City Thunder
Starters – Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Andre Roberson, Enes Kanter, Steven Adams
Bench – Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow, Kyle Singler, Nick Collison, Ersan Ilyasova
Did you hear Kevin Durant left? Serge Ibaka is gone too.
I’ll save you from the millionth analysis of what it all means for the Thunder moving forward, and give you the projected starting 5.
Westbrook re-upped and isn’t going anywhere. Oladipo will make the start at the 2 and is already looking for a long term extension. Roberson finally found his jumpshot in the postseason, so teams will actually have to worry about the ‘3’ in his 3-and-D skill-set. Kanter and Adams were surprisingly effective together in the postseason and complemented each other quite nicely.
The starting unit wasn’t hard to predict, the bench unit definitely was.
Cameron Payne had an either good or bad rookie campaign depending on what part you look at, or who you ask. For now, he’s their best option as a backup PG.
Morrow and Ilyasova will help stretch the floor, but won’t be playing effective defense anytime soon.
Nick Collison is to the OKC Thunder what Udonis Haslem is to the Heat – that face the casual basketball fan recognizes but can’t name.
Oh yeah… Kyle Singler. They re-signed him the previous offseason for five years for not doing much of anything on either side of the ball. If you guys have a reason why he’s still in the league, please tell me. I seriously can’t find an explanation.
OKC took a major hit when KD left (DUH!), so Donovan will be forced to rely on his bench more. All they will need to do is keep the score close, or maintain the lead until Westbrook gets his one minute of rest he gets a game; hence the high-ish rating.
Next: No. 15