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Oklahoma City Thunder: It’s not time to panic – yet

By Brayden Baine

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 8: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball up court against the Melbourne United during the first half of a NBA preseason game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 8, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 8: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball up court against the Melbourne United during the first half of a NBA preseason game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 8, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /
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After six games this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been just OK. Despite their struggles, it’s not time to panic

After just six games this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have three wins and three losses. That record has drawn a lot of criticism to the team and its Big Three. But do they really deserve all the criticism they’re getting?

After all the moves the Thunder made this offseason, there were high expectations for them. With the Big Three of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony, the Thunder are expected to be one of the top teams in the stacked Western Conference. When you make as many moves in the offseason that the Thunder made, you’re going to see some issues due to chemistry.

Everyone has to learn how to play with each other. They have to learn how to feed off of one another. Now, heading into this season, I didn’t expect them to go undefeated but I also didn’t expect them to only win half of their first six games. That’s is why they are getting so much criticism.

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However, if you look around the league, the Thunder aren’t the only ones struggling. Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors are struggling while teams like the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies are unexpectedly thriving. The struggles for the Warriors and Cavs, I would think, are coming from other teams starting to figure them out.

Last year was the first year that we saw the super team with the Warriors and teams were struggling to stop them on defense. Now, maybe the league is starting to figure them out as you can see the frustrations within the Warriors organization.

The Thunder are a different story, though. They just turned into a top team in the NBA again after this last offseason. Their struggles are expected, though. However, there is some upside for them. They have that Big Three as well as a good mix of young and veteran talent.

When I watch the Thunder, I see a lot of good things. I see PG and Melo getting wide open shots. I see Westbrook having open lanes inside the paint. The pick and roll with Steven Adams and Westbrook just keeps getting better. Their bench is even better than their bench was last year.

They improved their backup point guard position with the acquisition of Raymond Felton. Alex Abrines seems to be shooting a lot better than last year and he looks bigger and stronger. Jerami Grant is becoming more versatile. Patrick Patterson is struggling some. His scoring hasn’t been great but it is expected to pick up. He is coming off of an injury as well as trying to figure out how to play with his new team.

They’re still trying to figure out who their 10th man is going to be between Josh Huestis and Terrance Ferguson. They have each gotten some good playing time and as of right now, it looks like they’re going to go with the older Josh Huestis. He’s been a great guy coming off of the bench playing great defense as well as adding a decent three point shot and a lot of athleticism.

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Don’t worry too much about this Oklahoma City Thunder team. They are struggling some early in the season but don’t expect it to last much longer. You’ll likely see them start to make lengthy winning streaks soon as they get their chemistry right. You’ll still see them atop the Western Conference at the end of the year up there with the Rockets and Warriors.

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