The Thunder have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA and have won the last 9 out of 10 games. This team has been gelling so much that they didn’t need to make a trade during the deadline. The Oklahoma City fans wanted the Thunder to make a push for another player but the chemistry of this team says otherwise. The Thunder went on to face the Memphis Grizzlies who ended up trading majority of the team but still kept their cornerstone in Mike Conley who’s been nothing but outstanding for Memphis. Conley said this about his teammates being traded “It’s been a long day. I’m normally worried about the game, watching film, things like that, but I’m sitting downstairs in the lobby until 1:30 or 2:00, waiting for the trade deadline to pass and trying to figure out if I’m going to be here or not.” Even with all that going on the Grizzlies still had to play against the red hot Thunder who have been on a hot streak as of late blowing through opponents.
Paul George was able to get things started in this game as he was able to get to the rim whenever he wanted too. One thing about George’s game is that he’s always calm, cool, and collected. George can start off a game out of rhythm and find himself in a rhythm real quick. Paul has been nothing but sensational for the Thunder and he’s been able to put the team on his back with his great shooting. The Grizzlies were short handed tonight after the trades but it wouldn’t matter who you had in front of PG-13 tonight. When Paul has the inside and outside game going it’s usually a long night for defenses playing against him. Paul George finished the game with 27 points and has shown that he can get the job done on both sides of the floor consistently. Paul George has been able to flourish on both ends of the floor and has been in MVP talks throughout the whole NBA. The good things about this team are the fact that everyone is playing together and having fun at the same time. Paul George and Russell Westbrook have this team moving in the right direction as the leaders. Russell Westbrook’s playing within the game and letting the offense come to him with ease.
This season Westbrook has shown that he’s an amazing leader and that he can help his team in every way. Russel’s motto is “Why Not” and he’s lived by that every night he hits the court. Westbrook has been able to do everything that people think he can’t do and the way he’s playing the Championship shouldn’t be far. Tonight against the Grizzlies Westbrook notched his 8th triple-double in a row and he’s one shy of passing Wilt Chamberlain for that streak. Russell Westbrook had some video game numbers against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight finishing with 15 points, 15 assists, and 13 rebounds. Westbrook also had a nasty pass to Terrence Ferguson for an impossible Alley Oop that was finished.
Terrence Ferguson has been able to continue to play at a great pace and his 3 pointer has been going down at a very confident level this season. T-Ferg was able to put on a dunk show tonight for the OKC fans and has put people on notice that doubted him that he’s still growing. The way that Ferguson has played this season has been impressive and he’s been able to grow into a great wing player and the Thunder have shown confidence in him while letting him play within the offense. The addition of Dennis Schröder this offseason has helped the Thunder in a big way as he’s taken over that second unit and has played with a lot of confidence. The Grizzlies had no chance to stop Dennis as he finished with 16 points and he even had a nice dunk. Schröder has given the Thunder that jolt of energy they needed on that second unit he’s proven that he belongs in the 6th man of the year award race.
The Thunder have the Houston Rockets on Saturday as both MVP candidates (George/Harden) will face off again.
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