George out, Abrines in against Pistons
Less than two hours before game time Wednesday, it was announced by the Thunder that Paul George was not be at the preseason opener due to personal reasons.
The Thunder did get back Alex Abrines. The two plays were forgettable enough over the course of the game against the Pistons, but for Abrines it said plenty about where he’s at.
Abrines lost a sprint for a loose ball, but the gassed shooting guard sprinted back and forced a Detroit player into a missed jump shot in transition. A few minutes later, Abrines was matched up against 7-foot, 265-pound Andre Drummond, and Abrines kept him from establishing post position.
Abrines has only participated in two full contact practices in a week of preseason due to back spasms. He missed the Blue and White Scrimmage on Sunday, but played eight minutes in the first half against the Pistons.
Abdel Nader didn’t play due to left knee soreness. Russell Westbrook and Andre Roberson did not play as they continue rehabilitation from their respective knee surgeries.
Adams unmoved by ‘toughest player’ distinction
NBA.com’s annual GM Survey is a great gauge of the pulse of the league before it kicks off each season.
NBA.com’s John Schuhmann surveys the league’s general managers on 49 different questions. According to Schuhmann, “the best teams, players, coaches, fans and offseason moves.” GMs can’t vote on their own teams or personnel and the percentages are based on the pool or respondents rather than all 30 GMs.
Westbrook was voted for in several categories, leading the way in “Most Athletic” with an overwhelming 48 percent of the vote over Giannis Antetokounmpo (14). Westbrook was also voted “Fastest with the Ball” at 50 percent of the vote. Steven Adams was selected as the “Toughest Player” with 33 percent of the vote to LeBron James and Marcus Smart getting 13 percent each. Adams doesn’t care. “What does it mean? Do I get anything? Did I win? Do I get a bonus?,” Adams asked. “That would be sick. It could mean anything mate. Toughness, I don’t know. It seems dumb. Whatever.”
Fifty-three percent of GMs are high on the Thunder, picking Oklahoma City to finish third in the Western Conference behind Golden State and Houston.
Westbrook received 17 percent of the vote, second to Stephen Curry’s 57 percent, for “best point guard in the NBA.”
The Thunder ranked highly in offseason moves, as well, receiving votes for “best overall moves this offseason.” Dennis Schroder received 10 percent of the vote for “most underrated player acquisition,” putting him in a four-way tie for second place (Indiana picking up Tyreke Evans was first at 13 percent of the vote).
George’s decision to stay in Oklahoma City qualified as the third-most surprising move of the offseason according to 19 percent of participating GMs. Only DeMarcus Cousins to Golden State (35 percent) and the Kawhi Leonard/DeMar DeRozan trade (29) was more surprising to GMs.
But Adams said the poll was “weird.”
“Guys are just bored, I think, honestly,” he said. “There’s better things to think about, but whatever. Sure.”
Tip-ins
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot started in place of George ... The Thunder made its first four 3-point shots before missing seven in a row to close the first half . ... Thunder coach Billy Donovan picked up a technical foul in the second quarter for a calm, but pointed exchange with official Kane Fitzgerald.