THE GLORIFIED DALLAS MAVERICKS

By, Chanson Orme

As the NBA season approaches a holiday break right before the Christmas Day games, we at Climate Sports intend to keep you posted on the ins and outs of the sports world, as well as our quaint perspective.

We have done some research, and have found something very very intriguing. The Oklahoma City Thunder have not been playing well this season, and with another loss the New York Knicks last night they currently sit at 14-15. As 8th place in the West, the Thunder can't seem to put the pieces together to be the contender everyone saw them as at the beginning of the season. In terms of players that shoot more than 15 shots per game: Melo, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook sit at 3rd to last, 2nd to last, and dead last in FG%. They get their touches on offense, but they just keep settling for contested shots and failed iso drives. The Thunder’s big three are just not jelling, and climate sports have taken notice. The comparison has been made, and we here in Denver have concluded: The Oklahoma City Thunder are playing like a glorified Dallas Mavericks.

Now, before we start receiving death threats from Thunder fans: Here us out. We are not saying the Thunder aren't a good team, they just obviously aren't playing up to their potential. The stats don't lie, so let's break this down by position:

Carmelo Anthony/Dirk Nowitzki:

On paper, this comparison seems viable. Each player is a stretch 4, little older, and have gotten nothing but buckets throughout each of their careers. Both players have been on the scoring decline since 2013, and there have been dips in FG (both attempted and made), FG %, and Free throws (both attempted and made). Dirk and Carmelo are in different places in their career, but both are statistically past their prime years of basketball. Each star does about the same on the court: Double digit points, around 6 rebounds, and about 1.5 assists per game. The PER (player efficiency rating) is about the same (13.9 vs 15.7). The similarities continue:

Paul George/Harrison Barnes:

Just by looking at each of their careers, both PG and Barnes are elite isolation scorers that finish well at the rim and can fire from anywhere on the floor. Even Though Paul isn't the go-to scorer and Harrison is, each average around 19 a game, and have very similar eFG% (effective field goal percentage) along with actual FG% (41% vs 43%). PG and Barnes thrive in the spotlight, but both can always be more effective. PG is averaging a career high in 3 pointers attempted, but a career low in 2p%. He needs to build confidence attacking the rim. That has been problem since he broke his leg. He is just as explosive, but refuses to attack. Barnes on the other hand refuses to shoot the 3 ball. Ever since he went 1/22 in the finals, he has lost most confidence firing the 3 ball. Both players are very similar, but can take the steps to be even better than where they are.

Russell Westbrook/Dennis Smith JR:

Let's not kid ourselves, Russell Westbrook is a statistical nightmare, and the only stats these two share in common is all their shooting percentages (2p%, 3p%, eFG%, FG%). Dennis Smith has the same role as Russell, they both are explosive PGs that finish at an elite level at the rim and facilitate the offense well. The only difference is that Russell does more, everything. He has the ball more, shoots more, is on the floor more, passes more, rebounds more, etc. Currently, Russ shoots an average of about 8/20 every night. In order for the Thunder to contend, Russell needs to be more effective: Cut down the 4.8 turnovers, raise the 70% FT shooting, and raise the win shares. In the 2015-2016 season, he had 14 win shares, and 13.1 last season. He currently has a winshare of 2.5.

Picture Credits: NBA.com, CBS Sports