Abrines now 4th in team longevity
The Thunder selected Alex Abrines in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft. But the Spanish sharpshooter didn’t sign with the Thunder until three years later.
Abrines signed on July 23, 2016. Two months later, he began training camp, and on Oct. 26, 2016 — 23 months ago — he made his Thunder debut.
Abrines never played with Kevin Durant or Serge Ibaka.
And yet Abrines ranks as the fourth-ranking veteran on the roster, in terms of Thunder service. Only Russell Westbrook, Steven Adams and Andre Roberson were with the Thunder when Abrines joined.
So while we think of the 25-year-old Abrines as a young player, he’s creeping up the venerable list of this franchise.
Which means Abrines could be called upon for more than 3-pointers.
“Yeah, I thought about that actually a couple days ago,” Abrines said. “It's crazy, because it looks like I arrived yesterday, but it's my third year, and as you said, I'm the fourth guy who's been the most time in the Thunder.
“I think I can help the guys, especially the new ones, to let them know like how we work here, what are the standards for the Thunder organization, and of course like help the team as much as I can, obviously. I think I'm getting better each year, and this year is another step forward.”
Abrines barely edged Jerami Grant in terms of service.
Grant played two years plus two games with the Philadelphia 76ers, then was traded to OKC a week into the 201617 season. So he ranks just behind Abrines in Thunder service.
Grant, too, feels a new sense of leadership duty.
“Definitely,” Grant said. “I think especially for the young guys, just to kind of coach them up and do whatever I can. Obviously, we have leaders like Russ (Westbrook), PG (Paul George), that take care of a lot of that, but I definitely think my role in that sense has grown a little bit.”
This Thunder team has
more than just Westbrook and George for leadership. Raymond Felton is begins his 14th NBA season and is a selfadmitted “big brother” on the team. Patrick Patterson is entering his ninth NBA season.
But Abrines is an easygoing, still-young veteran from overseas. He could be a resource for new Thunder players Dennis Schroder and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, who hail from Germany and France, respectively.
Of course, to lead, it helps to play. Abrines ranked 10th on the roster last season in minutes played per game (15.1).
Abrines’ shooting was a solid 38-percent from 3-point range, but if he gets over 40 percent, his playing time will increase. And Abrines’ defense seemed to improve later in the season.
“I showed myself that I could be a great defender, so I think that's one of my focuses for this year,” Abrines said. “Just being more consistent and just keep growing as a good defender.
“Also, not forgetting that I am also a threat from a 3-point offensive standpoint.”
Thunder coach Billy Donovan expressed optimism about Abrines’ development.
“It’s his third year and I feel good about the experiences he’s had,” Donovan said. “I have confidence in Alex based on what happened last year defensively, that he’s more than capable of doing that.
“He did a really good job from his rookie year to last year. I thought he made some significant strides. I thought he was better on the ball, I thought there was a more physical presence to him at the basket. I think probably having a year under his belt, having learned the league a lot more, I thought he was a drastically better defender.”
I showed myself that I could be a great defender, so I think that’s one of my focuses for this year. Just being more consistent and just keep growing as a good defender.” Alex Abrines