Last Week: Lost to LA Clippers 108-100, Beat Portland Trail Blazers 125-122, Beat Phoenix Suns 102-97, Lost to Brooklyn Nets 147-125
This Week: 2/1 vs. Houston Rockets, 2/3 vs. Houston Rockets, 2/5 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 2/6 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The OKC Thunder might be too good to truly tank, which is not something many would have thought would have continued this deep into the season. Each young guy on the team seems to find a way to impress every night. Take the outing Friday night against the Brooklyn Nets as an example, where rookie Theo Maledon tied for the team lead in points with 24 on just nine shots. He was one of six Thunder players in double figures and only Al Horford is older than 22.
Maledon is the young guy to focus on this week. He broke into the starting lineup with George Hill missing some time and made the most of his opportunity. Going off against the defense-averse Nets team was the highlight of a productive week. He is proving more and more that he should not have fallen out of the first round of the draft.
There will be inconsistencies. Lu Dort and Isaiah Roby were cooler this week than fans would like. The plight of relying on so many young players. Enjoying the highs when they happen is part of the ride. Shai Gilgeous Alexander is a nightly high. Maledon against the Nets fits the criteria as well.