Betrayer

Minutes aren’t gifted unless you’re a third year underperforming player shooting 27%. Also, no. He hasn’t limited Cade’s minutes. He’s looked completely gassed in the 4th quarter of the last couple games due to too many minutes down the stretch trying to make everything happen on his own. Only game with limited minutes was the one where he fouled out.

Definitely concerning. Especially when you see he only played 22 minutes even though Burks was out. Monty was using a small ball lineup with Stew at the 5, yet he chose to use Sasser, Harris, and even Umude while Ivey rode the pine. I won't lie, I would've gone with Sasser too. I've said it a few times, but I don't think he's here next season. It's feeling like a Saddiq Bey scenario or (even worse) an Ayton situation with Monty. And yea, Killian is terrible. Lots of jokes out there that Killian is our Landry Shamet who Monty apparently loved in Phoenix no matter how bad he played. He needs to be benched immediately.

Also, this was a big one because the next five games are losses: pelican, suns, warriors, bucks, sixers.

Frustrating loss. 4th quarter offense looked like Casey was back at the helm. All hero ball, no movement, no cutting, nothing. On the other end, the refs were in love with with Sharpe. They shot 33 free throws to our 11. Sure, we were playing third string players due to 4 key injuries, but you still have to beat the worst team in the league when you have a 15 pt lead in the 3rd and their star rookie leaves the game with an injury.

I'd like it to be Burks for now to get a veteran shooter in there, and also because it'll make it easier to replace him with Bogey when he comes back. But I can see the case for Ivey who projects to be a better secondary ballhandler and creator. Ausar will get the #1 perimeter assignment in the starting lineup and having Killian on the bench gives you a decent defender in the second unit when he rests. I say "decent" because in reality Killian gets way more credit than he deserves on that end. He's not an elite defender by any stretch of the imagination, it's simply one of the few things he does at an average NBA level. There are also a lot of scorers in the second unit, which works well with Killian's solid passing and lack of scoring punch. Once Morris and Bogey are back though, I'm not sure where you find minutes for Killian. You'll already have Morris, Ivey, and Burks as perimeter players off the bench (and Livers for a week or two before he gets injured again). Can't forget about Sasser either, who they moved up to get and who has played well in limited minutes. It really is time for a trade.

Jalen Duren is listed as questionable for tonight after that ankle injury he had last game. Also, it's time to change this starting backcourt: -Lineups with Cade + Ausar + Killian are -15.4 points per 100 possessions. -Lineups with Cade + Ausar + Burks/Ivey are +46 points per 100 possessions. From everything I've heard about Monty coming in, this is his big weakness. He's stubborn as hell and not big on analytics, so I'm guessing he doesn't make the obvious change that both the numbers, the eye test, and every analyst from Vecinie to Jack Kelly is calling out.

Top 5 for me. I can't put them above Harden's Clippers, KD's Suns, Kyrie's Mavs, or the Lakers.

The turnovers are definitely a problem and Cade looked like he thought it was a preseason game today. But, Monty’s not doing him any favors with the spacing in that starting lineup either. He’s getting double and triple teamed and blitzed constantly. It’s frustrating to watch, so it’s got to be even more frustrating for him.

Killian deciding it’s time to work on his game. Building OKC a new arena with all those bricks.

Defense has been real bad today. OKC just walking into the paint.

Cade was more aggressive earlier but he’s missed a lot of shots and the turned the ball over, so maybe he just checked out mentally. Not good, but it happens. Ausar injury reported as a leg cramp. Phew. on the other hand, I didn’t like Duren’s lift on that alley-oop attempt.

Good to see Duren back out there after the ankle roll. Now take him back out because this game’s over.

Happy Ivey is having a better offensive game but why is the guy who got benched for his poor defense guarding their best player?

Shai is just cooking Ivey.

That’s an insane shot by Bagley on Chet’s 5th foul.

Bench in. Back to 10. Ausar walked to the bench., so that’s positive.

And now Ausar looks hurt bad.

Duren just rolled his ankle. Playing through it, but it didn’t look great. Get these kids some high tops or tape their ankles better. Seems like the ankle issues are non-stop.

This is getting ugly.

Can’t seem to get this below 10. Cade having a real rough day.

Ok Ausar, the catch on the alley-oop made up for it.

Omg Ausar’s hands.

Everyone must be watching the Lions. It’s ok, I’ll hold the fort.

Ausar with some runouts and Hayes finally hits a three. Cut it back to 10.

If Killian is just going to let Giddy walk down the lane can we get a shooter in there instead.