NBA Playoffs 2017: What We Learned Over The Opening Weekend
By Mason McFee
OKC and the Southbrooks
Okay that was an atrocious header, but the Thunder proved my point on my last slide – you can’t win a game on the back of your best player (or your starters for that matter).
The Thunder’s bench scored 30 points against Houston, which would be a good performance if Nene and Lou Williams hadn’t scored a combined 26 points themselves.
While Lou Williams is a superior player to say, Alex Abrines, the Thunder’s fatal flaw was exposed in the blowout loss to Houston – their bench is atrocious.
Enes Kanter is a luxury off the bench, and Abrines has played well in spurts, but you might have issue if your best scorer off the bench finished with just 3 points. (Come on Dougie McBuckets I expect more from you!)
Westbrook played his heart out as usual, posting a 22-11-7 line, but shot just 6-23 from the field. He needs to become more efficient if OKC wants to win even just one game.
Harden on the other hand made his case for MVP, dropping a cool 37 and a near triple double – nabbing 7 boards and dropping 9 dimes.
Ryan Anderson and Clint Capela both finished Sunday’s contest a +27 (!!). Houston crushed OKC on the boards (56-41), and in turn, second chance points.
While I’m sure Harden was pleased he didn’t have to carry the load with his backcourt mate posting 21-9-10 (okay PatBev!!), Billy Donovan is probably as worried as the Worrywarts.
OKC might win a game, but Houston is looking like they’re playing in a different stratosphere.