Week in Review: Playoff ready

John Napier -

If you’ve been an avid reader of the Week in Review, you may recall some past criticism of the Thunder’s “waiting for the playoffs” mentality. Well, with last night’s victory over the Toronto Raptors, the Thunder have now rattled off 8 straight wins in impressive fashion, dispelling the notion that the team is simply wallowing until the playoffs start.

But with the 3-seed all but locked up, and a higher seed out of reach, the ultimate question remains: can the Thunder compete with the Western Conference’s two best teams?

If these last 8 games are any indication, I think the answer is yes.

The Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs each have two win streaks of 8 games or more. (Golden State a 24 and 11 game streak, and San Antonio a 13 game and 8 game streak.) In the Warriors’ best statistical streak, their 11 game win streak, the Warriors were lambasting opponents by an average of 17.5 points, scoring 121 points per game, and racking up an impressive net rating of 17.7.

In the Spurs’ best statistical streak, their 8 game win streak, the Spurs were demolishing opponents by 18 points, scoring 110.2 points per game, and notching an even more impressive net rating of 19.1.

But not to be left in the dust, the Thunder’s current 8-game streak is similarly extraordinary. Over the past 8 games, the Thunder are ransacking opponents by an average margin of 17.1 points, scoring 117.3 points per game, accruing a net rating of 16.2.

Aside from the actual match-ups against the Warriors and Spurs, where the Thunder have gone just 1-4 in total (not including the game where the Spurs dressed as many D-leaguers as the Oklahoma City Blue) but showed an ability to compete, these last 8 games have revealed that when the Thunder are at their best, the margin between them and the Warriors and Spurs is paper thin.

Over on the side where the sun is shining, you wouldn’t necessarily place the Thunder as a title favorite, but if this current 8-game win streak is any indication, you’d certainly find sufficient reason to hope.

THE GAMES

  • Win vs. the Houston Rockets on March 22, 111-107
  • Win vs. the Utah Jazz on March 24, 113-91
  • Win vs. the San Antonio Spurs on March 26, 111-92
  • Win at the Toronto Raptors on March 28, 119-100

THE BEST PLAYER

Russell Westbrook. Westbrook just barely edges Kevin Durant for this week’s honors. Westbrook added two more triple doubles to make it 16 on the season, pitching in 22.8 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds per game.

Westbrook’s season averages of 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists also put him in elite company. Since the 1946-47 season, only one player has had a season with at least 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists (Oscar Robertson). Westbrook will likely make it two.

Honorable mention: Westbrook’s ridiculous triple-double barrage continues to overshadow Durant’s incredible play. Last week, Durant averaged 27 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.

THE WORST PLAYER

Kyle Singler. Granted, Singler has been coming off an injury and only played in two games, but in his 9.7 minutes per game, Singler’s net rating was -71.1. Oh, by the way, the Thunder won both of those games by 19 points. His stats? No points, no made shots, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 5 fouls.

THE BEST PERFORMANCE

Russell Westbrook against the Toronto Raptors. 26 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists, in 34 minutes of action. About what you should expect from Westbrook. And the Thunder still haven’t lost when Westbrook records a triple double this season–16-0.

THE WORST PERFORMANCE

Dion Waiters against the San Antonio Spurs. Against the Spurs’ all-bench team, Waiters had 2 turnovers and 2 fouls. Outside of that, his 18 minutes were pretty unremarkable, 0 made field goals, 0 made threes, 0 made free throws, 0 offensive rebounds, 0 defensive rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, and 0 blocks.

THE BEST PLAY

I think the best part of this play is Enes Kanter. Westbrook explodes so fast off of Kanter’s screen that, if you watch carefully, you’ll notice that it takes Kanter a minute to realize Westbrook is already well past him.

THE WORST PLAY

Wide open, with Spurs guard Jonathan Simmons daring Waiters to shoot, Waiters launches an airball. I mean, at least he had the pose down.

WEEK IN PREVIEW

  • At the Detroit Pistons on March 29 at 6:30 PM (FSOK)
    Prediction: Make it 9.
  • Vs. the Los Angeles Clippers on March 31 at 8:30 PM (TNT)
    Prediction: Make it 10.
  • At the Houston Rockets on April 3 at 2:30 PM (ABC)
    Prediction: Make it 11.  I’m all in.