Preseason Thoughts: Raptors 109, Thunder 90
The Thunder fell in their fifth preseason game, 109-90 to the Raptors in Wichita. The most notable part of the game was Serge Ibaka’s return from an ankle sprain. He played 21 minutes and scored eight points on just 4-12 shooting with six rebounds.
The best part about this preseason game is that it’s over, therefore meaning there are only two more of these abominations left to go.
A few thoughts:
- The starting five tonight: Westbrook, Morrow, Roberson, Ibaka and Adams. My guess, this is the opening night starting five. Not because Adams will have beat out Perk necessarily, but because Perk won’t be conditioned and ready to go after missing almost all of camp. Morrow gives Westbrook an offensive threat to look for on the wing while Roberson still maintains a bit of Scott Brooks’ preferred defensive disposition.
- The first couple possessions were beautiful. It started with Steven Adams dropping a slick no-look bounce pass to Ibaka who finished with his left hand. Then the two hooked up again, this time Adams powering through for a layup. There’s something there with those guys, especially with Westbrook as the head of the snake, using both in varying pick-and-roll looks. Adams is more of the high screen-and-roll guy, while Ibaka is obviously a pop threat.
- Westbrook had eight assists to four turnovers, and showed off some slick playmaking again, but his offensive is just a wee bit erratic right now. He hasn’t settled into a mid-range rhythm yet, and didn’t finish all that well in the paint. Still overall, I liked the Westbrook played. Under control and not getting carried away with his new leash.
- Adams with just eight points, his first single-digit game of the preseason. But that might be related to him fouling out in just 24 minutes. He did flash that nice little hook shot again, which is looking less and less like an accidental make.
- Andre Roberson did some really positive things. Defense has never been a big issue for him, but offensively, he’s a novice. Tonight, he scored 15 points on 7-9 shooting, with 10 rebounds and three assists. He used his energy and athleticism to create a lot of those points, slashing to the bucket and finding points both in transition and off the offensive glass. But there’s no question he looks more comfortable with the ball in his hands. He’s a lot more decisive and confident. He missed the shot, but in the first half he caught on the wing, pumped his man smoothly, took a dribble in and pulled up from about 15 feet. Thabo-esque, but still, an improvement from last season.
- Jeremy Lamb went just 1-9 from the floor and missed all five of his 3s. In preseason, he’s shooting 24-of-77 (31 percent) and just 4-of-28 from 3. That’s 14 percent. That’s horrible. I don’t really understand what’s happened to Lamb’s offense, because if you remember, he showed some real bright spots from November to mid-January last season. He slumped and lost some confidence after Caron Butler was signed, but Lamb has recovered any semblance of efficiency. He’s forcing the issue thinking he needs to be aggressive with his offense, but it just looks awkward.
- Anthony Morrow is the anti-Lamb. He popped in another 15 on 6-12 shooting, hitting 3-6 from 3. In preseason, Morrow is 20-40 shooting, and 11-20 from 3.
- Perry Jones: 2-9 from the free throw line. What?
- Michael Cage was pretty decent in his debut, I thought. Some rough spots in pronunciation and whatnot, but Cage seems to have a nice feel for calling the game. It’s clear he doesn’t know the Thunder especially well, which is something that’s going to develop as he watches them more and more. My early impression: Cage > Long.
- Lance Thomas and Talib Zanna are not good.
Next up: Against the Wolves in Tulsa on Sunday
