This article will go over the players who have been struggling or have been over-achieving over the last week. Some players have been deserving of more minutes and deserve some recognition. Here are Oklahoma City Thunder Player Grades 12/31.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Grade: A+
Gilgeous-Alexander has been on a major tear recently. He has been putting up gaudy averages of 29 points, 4.3 boards, 4.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game on 43% from the field, 74% from the line and 1.3 threes a game. The field goal percentage is down majorly from last year. However, he’s been getting better and better as the season has gone on so this shouldn’t be an ongoing issue. Another tiny issue would be the two turnovers per game compared to the 4.7 assists which shows his recklessness with the rock. Besides those two bugaboos, he’s been much better in recent memory and should be continuing his nice run.
Aaron Wiggins Grade: A
Wiggins had been thrown into the fire a little over a week ago and has been blazing ever since. Over the last week, he has been averaging 18.3 points, 5.8 boards, 0.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.3 blocks a game on a whopping 62% from the field, 73% from the line and 1.5 threes a game. The efficiency is insane (he was averaging just one turnover a game) and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down. Over the last five games, he has been playing consistent minutes: 23, 32, 26, 38 and 26. Not really known as an offensive threat, he has left a positive impression on his coaches. Additionally, he might have overtaken Darius Bazley for the starting spot.
Theo Maledon Grade: C-
Maledon has struggled over the last week and a half when he was reintroduced into the rotation. Over the last week, he has been averaging mediocre numbers of 6.8 points, 2.8 boards, 1.0 assists, 0.5 blocks, and zero blocks a game on 33% from the field and 90% from the line. Maledon had been a negligent part of the rotation up until this point and really hasn’t shown a reason as to why he should stay put. Also, due to multiple injuries and protocols in the backcourt, he is going to be given a longer look. Hopefully he can get it going soon.
Isaiah Roby Grade: B-
Roby was such a nice player for the young Thunder team last season. However, this season he had been another negligent part of the rotation. He was reintroduced into the starting lineup over the last couple of games. He had been putting up decent averages despite the limited minutes. Over the last week, he was averaging 8.7 points, 6.0 boards, 0.7 assists, 0.3 steals and blocks a game on 63% from the field and 50% from the line. He also averaged 1.7 threes a game. The averages are okay but the playing time remains an issue. Per 36 minutes, he’s averaging hefty numbers: 17.4 points, 8.8 boards, 1.9 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.0 blocks a game. Hopefully he can stay in the rotation from now on but it’s not a sure thing.