Westbrook bringing others aboard for technical foul shots
Last season, Russell Westbrook was the man when it came to free throws following technical fouls.
Westbrook took nearly all of them when the Thunder was awarded one via an opponent’s technical foul. But this season, with Westbrook shooting just 65.4 percent from the line, others have stepped up to take the shots. Paul George and Alex Abrines have each taken technical free throws with Westbrook on the floor.
Thunder coach Billy
Donovan said those technical shots can often be a great way to get a player going who’s been struggling from the field. Donovan said after a conversation with Westbrook, he’s left it up to his star point guard, adding that Westbrook has been good about including players like George and Abrines in a duty typically designated to him.
“Let’s say Paul George is struggling. He’s missed some shots in a row. Maybe a great way to have him feel the ball and see the ball go through the basket,” Donovan said. “Carmelo’s maybe missed a couple shots. Or, hey, Russell’s really got it going, he shoots it.”
The irony: George, a career 84.9 percent free throw shooter, missed his technical foul shot against the Clippers on Friday.
“You’re the only person up there, and the spotlight is on you,” George said, admitting shooting the technical foul shot is tougher than a regular free throw. “But all three of us are as poised as it comes in that situation. I speak for myself, not having made them.”
Adams, Anthony in doubt vs. Bulls
The Thunder’s second meeting with the Chicago Bulls this season could be another starting opportunity for Dakari Johnson and Jerami Grant.
At Tuesday’s shootaround, Donovan said he doesn’t expect Steven Adams to play against the Bulls, and that Carmelo Anthony will be evaluated again on Wednesday. Adams has missed the last two games with a right calf contusion he suffered Nov. 9 against Denver. Anthony was a late scratch from Sunday’s win against Dallas with a sore lower back.
Anthony was noncontact and did some light shooting in post-practice on Tuesday, while Adams did not practice.
Donovan didn’t know if Adams would be available for the Thunder’s next two games on the road against two formidable front lines. The Thunder plays at San Antonio on Friday and at New Orleans on Sunday.
Johnson, a rookie, has started the last two games for the Thunder at center, averaging seven points, two rebounds, an assist and a block in 20.1 minutes per game. Grant started at power forward for Anthony on Sunday and logged 10 points (3-of-6 field goals), eight rebounds and three assists in 34 minutes.
George talks future
There’s a long way to go before the summer of 2018. That’s when George will likely opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent.
Until then, the questions will continue to be asked about George’s desire to stay in Oklahoma City. On Monday at the launch of his outdoor initiative with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, George dropped the hints which prompted additional questions at Tuesday’s practice.
“I’ve been so used to that type of chatter, being in Indiana the whole L.A. (free agency scenario),” George said Tuesday when asked about the social media buzz about his Monday comments. “I’ve been used to that. So, it doesn’t get to me.
“At the end of the day, it’s my decision, and I’ve always been happy where I’m at and what decision I make. So, I’m happy. Put it like that. I’m happy.”
It wasn’t George’s decision for him to end up in Oklahoma City. The 27-year-old came to the Thunder via a June 30 trade from Indiana for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
But George is settling in, saying Monday “Oklahoma’s home for me, so it’s fun to start this journey,” and adding that he hasn’t had a chance to fish much in Oklahoma City, but “hopefully, there’s a summer for that here that I can do that.”
Ferguson to G-League
The Thunder assigned Terrance Ferguson to the G-League Oklahoma City Blue on Tuesday evening in time for the Blue’s game against the Texas Legends. Ferguson has appeared in just two of the Thunder’s last five games, so the assignment was an opportunity to get the 19-year-old rookie more playing time. Ferguson could be recalled to the Thunder on Wednesday against Chicago.