NBA: Melo at the Thunder: Just drop it for a change

The Oklahoma City Thunder started the season only moderately, but this was to be expected in view of the many new parts. When Carmelo Anthony and Co. but have really set the title as their goal, perhaps an extreme step is needed.

“Hey, Paul! They think I have to come from the bank!”

Carmelo Anthony barely got himself back when he was asked about this possibility at a press conference before the season. Paul (George) grinned as if this was the most ridiculous proposal of all. Except maybe for “Take Victor Oladipo and Domanti’s Barcelona for Paul George?”

A few weeks later, as expected, the newly formed Thunders have not yet found each other. The last two games have been won, so the score is now almost even (6-7) after losing four games at a time. The first internal crisis meeting of the team took place after George had only received a throw against Denver in the last quarter.

The “Melo belongs on the bench?”theme is not really muted, however funny the ten-time all-star finds it. OKC showed one of the better games this season against Dallas when he was out of the game with back problems.

Before the season began, many people had doubted whether the three stars would be able to coexist, especially Melo and Westbrook, who are among the most dominant players of modern times. They try to do it, you can tell, but the whole thing is not yet harmonious – and Westbrook almost blocks his own game too much.

At the very beginning of the games, Russ is trying to give his two new co-stars possibilities, which he has to do, but he often wants to force the assist too much and is willing to make almost five turnovers per game. He rarely goes to the basket and pulls “only” 6 free throws, as few as not since 2010. Perhaps also because of the fact that he is currently only mysteriously hitting a miserable 65.4 percent of them.

It was clear that after the MVP season, in which he controlled the ball more than ever before, a player would have to change his game. But he must be careful not to lose himself. Besides athletics, manic aggression is what makes his game so special.

It was actually hoped that Westbrook would unscrew his usage this season, but it would be more effective because George and Anthony would give him more freedom. However, he is currently throwing worse odds through the bank and is achieving the highest turnaround rate in his career.

This is particularly evident in the crunchtime. Before last Friday’s victory against the Clippers, OKC had lost all six “tight” games, the star trio had combined a net rating of -37.9 in fourth-quarter. A small sample, sure. But also one that was shaped by the “I’m on it, you’re on it”routine that has already been seen in some supposed superteams.

This is a new situation for all of us”, Melo admitted after the most embarrassing performance against Sacramento so far,”we are learning some lessons at the moment” and George also said that you have to get used to each other “step by step, day by day”. But they have the whole year for that.

That’s correct and the first steps have been taken, especially in the last two games there has been some improvement, especially with George. PG-13 scored 42 and 37 points in a row, as encouraged by Westbrook and Anthony.

“They told me to be myself, to dominate on both sides of the field and to attack at every possibility,”George explained. As was to be expected, the most versatile of the three stars is the one who has so far acclimatized best in the new situation. Russ and Melo, on the other hand, both have weak quotas of less than 43 percent.

OKC is always extremely dangerous when the athletics and instincts of the superstars are in demand, but it becomes problematic when two stars watch the third one create an offense in the set play.

Especially as Steven Adams and bridge builder Andre Roberson are often standing on the court making the playing field even narrower. Spacing is anything but ideal, as it was last season, especially when George sits on the bench. Billy Donovan’s ability to counteract this is limited.

It might get a little better if the stars and the other new players have gotten used to each other, but even then the problem would remain that only a few good shooters are in the squad. Alex Abrines, Ray Felton and George are currently the only ones to top at least 38 percent. Patrick Patterson is in the mould hole (29 percent 3FG).

A possible move would therefore be to split the minute distribution of the stars a little more. George, Melo and Westbrook are on the court together for more than 21 minutes per game, but with their sometimes somewhat redundant skills one can argue that they do not maximize their potential.

PG-13 is the best catch-and-shooter in the squad and moves best without a ball, which makes it the ideal sidekick for Westbrook. Especially defensive he is so important that he has to start without any ifs and buts. Melo, on the other hand, needs the ball more often in his hand. He would only be able to maintain this possibility in OKC if he gave up his place to Abrines or the ever-increasing Jerami Grant.

Would Melo’s pride and joy allow him to become the Sixth Man Deluxe? It is doubtful. In theory, however, this would make a lot of things simpler: there would be a clearer distribution of roles, and Melo could play his game to the full, especially against overtaxed benchmark units, which he could still dominate on a regular basis as the Sixth Man,”That would be the right move for OKC if his ego allows it,”said the renowned expert Jackie MacMullan at ESPN recently.

Of course, he would still play the third or fourth most minutes at the Thunder as the sixth starter a la Manu Ginobili in San Antonio, who is also on the court in crunchtime. The “degradation” Sixth Man would be nominal, not more, it would only structure the minutes differently. It would also be the ultimate opportunity to serve the team.

It would be an extreme step and nothing to impose on Melo – he would have to want it himself. I don’t think Donovan has the standing of simply ordering such a measure. And OKC will also play a good season with Melo as starter, which is quite clear: The Thunder already have the second-best defensive rating of the NBA and even the fourth-best net rating in spite of the balance sheet.

Victories will follow as soon as they get their offense better in crunchtime. According to the statistical model of basketball-reference. com, OKC is currently performing like a team that should win almost 70 percent of its games. Many teams would be content with that to speak of an extremely successful season. Maybe it’s OKC enough.

However, Melo had repeatedly emphasized in the summer that at this time of his career, he was only interested in the big picture in the sense of a title. He wants to be with a great team, not just a good one. But perhaps for the first time in his career, he will have to really jump over his shadow.