The OKC Thunder had a relatively successful preseason going 3-1 and had some spectacular performances from different players that are expected to help them this season. Here’s how the preseason success will translate to the regular season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a successful preseason. Not only did they go 3-1 but more importantly the OKC Thunder had crucial players play well during the exhibition games.
The Thunder had two rookies in Deonte Burton and Hamidou Diallo show out in the final preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Burton had 16 points including making three straight triples to win the game.
Diallo had 19 points and started the game. He was able to fill in nicely for a Thunder team that needs some help badly at the shooting guard position. Andre Roberson is of course out with his injury and Terrance Ferguson was and is still in the concussion protocol.
Burton and Diallo will be coming off the bench this season and the OKC Thunder’s bench in recent history has not been good. Those two players with what they have displayed in the preseason should be nice additions to a struggling bench.
Billy Donovan said Abdel Nader (left knee soreness) has participated in more in practice. Terrance Ferguson is still in concussion protocol.
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) October 11, 2018
Paul George scored 26 points in just the first half of the last preseason game. George dropped 22 points against the Atlanta Hawks and 23 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He led the team in scoring all three games.
For George, this is an important season for him. Last year did not go as well as he had hoped it would go and he decided to return to OKC on a long-term deal even after everybody thought he would go to Los Angeles.
This preseason he has looked like the old Paul George when he was with the Indiana Pacers. His outside shot has fallen, he has been able to get to the hole and pretty much do anything he has wanted to.
After James Harden in the points per game column is George at second with 23.7 points per game. He will have to dominate games just like he has in the preseason for OKC to have a chance to be great in the regular season.
Dennis Schroder has looked like he is fitting in well with the Thunder team. It looks natural with him out there like the Thunder are not missing anything. Schroder will have to start in place of Russell Westbrook to begin the season as Westbrook still has not been cleared for full contact.
With Schroder fitting in well with the pieces already in place the Thunder should not miss anything with Westbrook out.
Schroder had a 21 point game to lead the team in scoring in the first preseason game against the Detroit Pistons.
Schroder plays fast like Westbrook. He is used to the ball being in his hands. He has shown while he is in the game the offense will still flow. For a player that has just come onto a new team, especially in basketball where rhythm is key, that is great to see.
Preseason doesn’t determine what will happen in the regular season but what preseason is for is to play with your lineups and see what will work or what players will perform in certain situations.
It is not about the full exhibition game but the situational aspect. A live game that doesn’t mean anything. The live game aspect is something practice cannot simulate.
The Thunder should know that Burton and Diallo can be relied on coming off the bench, Paul George is poised to have a great season and Dennis Schroder will be able to fit in with the team based on preseason.
All of their preparation and the anticipation will lead up to opening night on October 16th against the Golden State Warriors.