Justin Cooper

November 29, 2018

On a chilly, late November evening in Oklahoma City, coming off a three day recess, the Thunder got off to a sluggish start versus a gutted Cleveland Cavaliers team.  While the Cavs were informed during pre-game warmups that their veteran sharpshooter, Kyle Korver, had been dealt to the Utah Jazz (and had likely torched the Thunder from deep for the last time in a Cavs uniform), the Thunder elevated their own prospective marksman, Alex Abrines, to the starting lineup on Wednesday for the first time this season in hopes of improving upon  the team’s three point woes.  The Thunder overcame their listless start, dominating the second half  and picking up a 100-83 victory; however, unfortunately for the Thunder, the Spaniard hit the court colder than the air outside Chesapeake Energy Arena, shooting 1-9 on the night and 1-8 from beyond the arc.

 

A quarter of the way into the 2018-2019 NBA season, Abrines has yet to find his range, shooting just 32.3% from the field and 29.9% from distance, a full 7% below his career average.  He has shown flashes of the shooting prowess that initially garnered the third year wing a spot in the Thunder rotation, even dropping a career high 25 points on the Charlotte Hornets on 5 for 10 shooting from deep on November 1, but the Thunder have yet to consistently get meaningful production from the shooting guard in the 17 games in which he’s appeared so far in 2017-2018. 

 

Abrines showed obvious improvement on the defensive end in his sophomore campaign with the Thunder.  Throughout last season, Abrines became less a liability and more an asset on the defensive end of the floor with improved footwork and upper body strength which resulted in a more effective effort staying in front of defenders and fighting through screens without fouling.  Abrines provided a viable three point option and adequate defense on a roster in desperate need of three point shooting wings last year and has observably improved on the defensive end of the floor over the offseason, but this re-tooled Oklahoma City roster is faster and more defensively savvy than the Thunder have been over the past two seasons.  When the team is fully healthy, Abrines will be competing against a bevy of young, athletic wings for playing time and Billy Donovan may become increasingly sparing with the Spaniard’s minutes should Abrines not find his range in coming weeks. 

 

When healthy, the Thunder have gotten meaningful minutes this season from young wings Terrance Ferguson, Hamidou Diallo, and Deonte Burton, and all have shown a willingness to buy into Billy Donovan’s defense to offense mentality while also making their own respective offensive contributions.  Ferguson has seemingly notched his place in the starting lineup with pesky speed and length on defense and proved an adequate temporary solution until Andre Roberson is cleared to return to his starting role.  Diallo and Burton have shown flashes of their explosive potential on both sides of the ball in limited minutes, and have done so efficiently, shooting 47% and 47.5% respectively.  The Thunder have also dipped deeper into the depth chart due to injury, and have received positive contributions from new additions Timothe Luwawu -Cabarrot and Abdel Nader.  While none of these players are likely to provide the perimeter shooting the Thunder expect from Abrines, their contributions will likely be rewarded with more playing time as the season rolls along and Abrines could find his minutes reduced if he is unable to make a more consistent impact in his time on the court. 

 

It’s a contract year for Abrines and, so far, the Thunder have been in no hurry to ink a long term deal.  The team owns the third year shooting guard’s bird rights and Abrines will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season, giving the Thunder the opportunity to match any offer another team may throw his way should they choose to.  Oklahoma City needs perimeter shooting now and Abrines has the potential to provide that for his team.  Whether he is able to prove he can consistently produce night in and night out over the course of 82 games remains to be seen.  He’ll have another opportunity to find his rhythm at home Friday night versus the Hawks.  Let’s hope he does.  His destiny, it seems, largely lies in his own shooting hand.