The giant swing between Games 2 and 3 for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals illustrates a harrowing reality for Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and co – after those two, this is a remarkably thin team.
That Serge Ibaka, who returned in Oklahoma City’s 106-97 Game 3 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, represents such a massive shot in the arm has to be a bit concerning for the Thunder. Ibaka is a very good player, but with two of the 10 best basketball players on the planet in tow, Oklahoma City should not so desperately need him.
But that is the unfortunate state of the rest of the Thunder squad. When they were blown out by 35 points in a Game 2, 112-77 loss, it was obviously a bit jarring. But it was simply the logical extension of the first game of the series, when they lost by 17 points.
In that contest, Durant and Westbrook combined for 43 points and shot 19-for-40, adding 14 rebounds and 12 assists. They played reasonably well and it still was not enough for the Thunder to keep close. In Game 2, when they combined for just 30 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and 13-for-40 shooting, Oklahoma City simply lost by a lot more.
It is not that they are devoid of secondary talent – Reggie Jackson offers just about everything one could ask for in a backup point guard. Which is why is it a bit off to see him logging 37 minutes in Game 3. And Steven Adams is not a half-bad backup centre, which again makes it a little curious that he has averaged 26 minutes a game in this series.
Secondary players like Jackson and Adams are taking on such hefty roles against San Antonio because, in the absence of Ibaka, Oklahoma City d not really have any other primary players. And their other secondary players are really more like tertiary players.
Normal starters Thabo Sefolosha and Nick Collison were benched for Game 3 after combining for all of two points on 1-for-14 shooting in 53 minutes between Games 1 and 2.
Meanwhile Kendrick Perkins is barely functional anymore. Derek Fisher is being linked with coaching jobs while playing 18.67 minutes a game. Perry Jones and Jeremy Lamb are young liabilities and Hasheem Thabeet simply is not an NBA-calibre centre. Caron Butler is just a step behind Fisher on his way to retirement.
It all adds up to a shocking lack of support for Oklahoma City’s two world-beaters. If the Thunder are to continue to claw back against the Spurs, it looks like their chances will rest on Serge Ibaka’s strained left calf.
jraymond@thenational.ae
