The Oklahoma City Thunder are already 19 games into the season. What that means is that it’s time for OKC Thunder player grades. At this point, rating some of the players on the squad seems like a reasonable thing to do. Some players have struggled mightily to make an impact while others are wowing OKC fans everywhere. Here is an article on OKC Thunder player grades.
Josh Giddey Grade: A+
Giddey looks like a complete NBA player already. His composure in games is outstanding for a 19-year-old running the hardest position in the NBA. He’s averaging some nice numbers to start the season as well: 10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.0 steal and 0.6 blocks a game. The shooting splits aren’t the greatest at 40% from the field, 28% from three and 65% from the line but that’s completely fine. Giddey doesn’t play like a 19-year-old out there and it’s amazing to see him do so good for the big club. His future is looking brighter and brighter every day.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl Grade: A
He stared off kind of slow due to playing behind Derrick Favors and, somewhat, Mike Muscala but that changed very quickly. Robinson-Earl is entrenched as the starting center for the Thunder due to his high-level play on defense and his stellar three-point shooting (41% on three attempts a game, insane). His rebounding is also very nice for an undersized center (he played forward in college and he’s listed as only 6-foot-9) as he’s averaging 5.5 boards (1.5 offensive) a game. In total, he’s averaging 7.3 points, 5.5 boards, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals. He’s also shooting 45% from the field, a pristine 41% from three and 64% from the line. His minutes will only continue to climb from here and he’s clearly run away with the starting center spot.
Darius Bazley Grade: B-
Bazley is averaging career-lows in the shooting splits department (36% from the field, 28% from three and 58% from the line). While that’s very disturbing, he is averaging career-highs in offensive rebounds (1.0), steals (0.6) and blocks (1.2). He’s still putting up mediocre averages of 9.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.2 blocks a game. Bazley needs to turn it up soon because he’s struggling mightily on both ends of the court, especially the offensive side. He’s still only 21 years old so he can hopefully fix it soon. OKC is the perfect place to be so growing pains are natural despite being three seasons in.
Aleksej Pokusevski Grade: D
Unfortunately, Poku just hasn’t gotten the chances he did his rookie season. He’s averaging a paltry 4.8 points, 4.2 boards, 1.3 assists, 0.4 steals and blocks while averaging 1.3 turnovers a game. The shooting splits are also alarming: 35% from the field, 21% from three and 63% from the line. If Poku can get more minutes then that would likely help him. However, it’s not looking great right now despite being a second-year playing in need of developmental minutes. OKC fans want to see their prized first-round pick from last year so hopefully, he plays more soon.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Grade: A-
Gilgeous-Alexander is having yet another great season. Although he’s averaging career-low percentages (40% from the field, 31% from three and 80% from the line), he’s still averaging nice counting stats (20.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 dimes, 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks a game). There’s not much else to say about him as he’s their best player and there isn’t a glimpse of his ceiling. The only scary thing about him is that he may receive random rest days in the future or a trade due to the nature of the franchise and his personal goals.