Thunder's real problem? Stephen A. and Max debate what's going on in OKC | First Take | ESPN

First Take's Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman debate what's really going on in OKC.

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[spreadlove]

Aaron Gordon dropped 40 on they head bro. SMH

[itsyoobiiEman]

they just showed Westbrook on the side looking depressed after that L, lmao nah that Melo effect real

[BK-sxps]

God I hate to admit it, Melo is the biggest problem.

Pg needs more touches. Melo needs to adapt a Kevin love esq game.

[javianjohnson]

OKC's only goal with this superteam was to beat the Warriors in a game in OKC so KD can feel bad :(


 Well, now look at them...on a LOSING STREAK. Definitely see why KD had beef with Donovan and the system. Just a bunch of hero-ball isolation that only loses them games. No wonder in KD's last year (and first year for Donovan), they blew 14 fourth quarter leads and lost. The coaches panic, causing the players to go back to playing ball like they're at the park

[asare]

I see three things:
1. Coaching
2. Three ball dominant all stars trying to gel
3. No bench.

I still think one of the big 3 needs to come off the bench.

[tawseefa]

People give Westbrook wayy to much credit. Anyone who watches the actual game and not just the highlights can tell Westbrook cannot defend. His matchups had the highest number of uncontested shots last year bc he just runs back to grab the boards. People only look at the crazy statline, but they fail to realise that russ has poor basketball iq and he is extremely inefficient. High usage rate, turns the ball over, and most importantly he just stays still when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. He can’t lead a team, just bc he plays hard people think he’s better than cp3, kyrie, steph and harden

[BrianCheng]

The OKC Thunder this season proved how much KD carried this franchise for the past decade. He had to sacrifice a lot playing with Westbrook whose arguably the hardest player to play with in the NBA if you're an all-star. He's one of the least efficient player in the NBA and he's extremely ball dominant. That's a bad recipe if you want good team chemistry.

[arealgoodguy]

Since Lil B lifted Durant's curse with him going to the Warriors. Then recently Lil B lifting Harden's curse, the curse has fallen to Westbroook by default.

[bucksgods]

Bring Melo off the bench Then fire Billy and also trade. Roberson for a two way Sg. It should help

[janordanu]

Glad Carmelo didn't come to Portland

[javianjohnson]

Melo needs to come off the bench to give the bench a great scoring boost. Y'all wanna win? Need to but ego aside and do what's best for your team

[eepyaj]

Swap Harden or CP3 for Westbrook and you will see the big difference. Westbrook getting exposed, OKC fans: Westbrook didn't have help last season but former OKC players balling out this season Kanter, Sabonis and Oladipo. Just accept the facts that Westbrook is not a leader and can't make his teammates better.

[mdc]

Hahahahaha Russ has his help now and his stans are STILL complaining as if Russ isn’t playing inefficient

[flow]

I think the team would've been better with Russ and PG with Kanter on the bench than Russ, PG and Melo.

[Ryandupont]

2018 thunder might = 2013 lakers unless a major change happens

[mixumillianmass]

Melo doesn't move the ball, he doesn't play defense, and he disrespects every coach that he's played for in his professional career.

He goes to OKC and does the exact same shit.

Yea... The coach is the problem... Sure 👌🏼

[TheStatisfiedOne]

Melo's amazing ability to play lazy D and iso ball is the problem. Melo's way of playing fits the late 90's early 2000 era, but not the way the game is played today

[matthewburdette]

I'm glad max started talking about the ISO issue OKC has I have been saying it since they traded for melo

[Tyler-dmul]

It's pretty simple, Melo is the problem. He is so used to playing with trash teammates he just runs isos and shoots dumb shots. He don't know how to play team ball

[sunnyzilla]

It's Carmelo. Put him on the bench. Knicks got better, OKC got worse faxxxx