Week in Review: The Starters

Throughout this season, so-called “all-bench” lineups (lineups that did not include any of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, Andre Roberson, and Steven Adams) have been the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism–and for good reason. Without a starter on the court, the Thunder post an offensive rating of 95 against a defensive rating of 112, for an ugly net rating of -17. Conversely, the starting five post an offensive rating of 111 and a defensive rating of 91, for a very pretty net rating of +20.

Now, because the all-bench lineups have performed so poorly, all of the pressure falls on the starting unit to perform. As a result, when the starters play well, they create enough of a cushion to absorb the deficits created by the bench. Case in point, in wins the starters own a net rating of +24. In losses, though, that net rating shrinks to just +8.

The pressure on the starters to perform was never more evident than in the loss to the Chicago Bulls on Christmas day.

In addition to starting the game down 11-0 (granted Enes Kanter replaced Adams not even 2 minutes into the game after Adams picked up two quick fouls), the starters gave up a quick 8-0 run to the Bulls to start the third quarter.  When Durant, the first starter to check out in the third quarter, went to the bench with 6:15 to go, what was a 2-point game at the half had turned into a 9-point deficit. By the end of the third, as bench players trickled in, the Bulls’ lead ballooned to 18.

Overall, in seven excruciating minutes, the starting lineup had an offensive rating of 36 and a defensive rating of 130 (and a shocking net rating of -96).

It’s not surprising that the Thunder rely heavily on their starters (I mean, that’s sort of the reason they are the starters), but the major dependence upon the starters to play well reveals a serious need to do something about the bench. While there are pieces that can contribute (namely Kanter, Anthony Morrow, Dion Waiters, and hopefully Cam Payne), the sum of the parts is worse than each standing alone.

I don’t know what the solution is, but I’m pretty sure it’s nothing that has already been tried.

THE GAMES

• Win at the Los Angeles Lakers on December 23, 120-85
• Loss vs. the Chicago Bulls on December 25, 96-105
• Win vs. the Denver Nuggets, 122-112

THE BEST PLAYER

Russell Westbrook. Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday, the Best Player in the Week in Review on Tuesday–pretty high accolades for Westbrook who was on the cusp of accumulating three triple-doubles this week.

Over the last three games, Westbrook averaged 26 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals.

THE WORST PLAYER

DJ Augustin. A bit of good news/bad news for Augustin this week. The good news is that Augustin’s minutes were down. The bad news is that even in fewer minutes, Augustin was the worst player this week. In 10 minutes per game, Augustin averaged less than 2 points per game and 2 assists. DJ continues to struggle with his shot, managing a meager 36% TS% over the last three.

THE BEST PERFORMANCE

Kevin Durant against the Los Angeles Lakers. I know it was against the lowly-Lakers, but Durant’s performance in Los Angeles was darn near perfection–21 points (on just 9 shots), 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks on shooting splits of 78/50/100.

THE WORST PERFORMANCE

DJ Augustin against the Denver Nuggets. Well, I can’t be too hard on Augustin. He did do some things: he missed a three and dished an assist. But that being said, his three was an early-shot-clock heave, and Augustin never saw the court in the second half, with Payne getting twice as many minutes.

Now on to Payne, last week’s theme was “WHERE IS CAM PAYNE?” Billy Donovan apparently found Payne, chilling at the end of the bench next to Josh “the Suit” Huestis. And Payne rewarded Donovan by doing basketball stuff. In 10.5 minutes per game (some of it mop-up duty against the Lakers), Payne averaged 5.5 points, 1.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and a steal, shooting 44% from the floor and 60% from three. I think Donovan should put one of those RFID trackers on Payne so he doesn’t lose him again.

Dishonorable mention: Somehow, in the Thunder’s 9-point loss to the Bulls, Dion Waiters finished +9 in 19 minutes despite shooting 1-6 and generally looking terrible. Weird.

THE BEST PLAY

Russell Westbrook goes coast to coast against the Los Angeles Lakers. Somewhat reminicent of the 0-60 full-court break against the Philadelphia 76ers last season, Westbrook grabs a rebound under the Lakers’ basket, and after crossing half court, hits the turbo button on his way to an easy dunk.

Honorable mention: This Westbrook-Payne pregame dance is definitely one of the most spectacular things to happen this season.

THE WORST PLAY

Andre Roberson briefly loses motor function. After Ibaka finds Roberson wide open in the corner for three, Roberson becomes so overwhelmed by his decision to shoot or not that he ends up not shooting and instead traveling.

What’s most frustrating is that Roberson got the ball in the right corner, his best spot from beyond the arc (Roberson shoots 40% from the right corner). But you simply cannot have a wing hesitate on a wide-open three like that. Opposing teams already mostly ignore Roberson, and if he starts passing up wide-open corner threes, he’s just making life even easier on the defense since they can stay sagged into the paint.

WEEK IN PREVIEW

• Vs. the Milwaukee Bucks on December 29 at 7:00 p.m. (NBATV).  The Bucks have arguably the most impressive win of any team this season–a win over the Golden State Warriors.

• Vs. the Phoenix Suns on December 31 at 7:00 p.m. (FSOK). This year’s New Year’s Eve game will play second fiddle to the College Football Playoff semifinal between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Clemson Tigers. Expect more than a few people to show up late.

• At the Charlotte Hornets on January 2 at 6:00 p.m. (FSOK). This will be OKC’s first chance to play against former Thunder bench-mob all-star, Jeremy Lamb.

• Vs. the Sacramento Kings on January 4 at 7:00 p.m. (FSOK). I think it’s fair to expect the Thunder to be aiming for a five-game win streak when they travel to Sacramento to face the Kings.