5 ways Thunder can complete upset over Warriors
By Tom West
4. Dion Waiters is contributing
When it comes to NBA players who can make you nod in respect one moment and slam your head into your palms in frustration the next, Dion Waiters is the perfect example. There’s no doubt he’s talented and athletic, but putting that talent together on a consistent basis is something his teams have longed for.
In fact, before even considering the gradual adjustments to his play style, 8.7 points on 45.5 percent shooting (44.4 percent from three) and 2.3 assists per game over the Thunder’s two series against the Spurs and Warriors isn’t half bad by any means.
Precisely as Thunder head coach Billy Donovan said to The Norman Transcript’s Fred Katz after a dominant Game 3 win, Waiters is playing to his strengths and he’s becoming a more reliable contributor because of it:
"“From an efficiency standpoint, just the way everything has gone with analytics now, those pull-up jump shots early, mid-clock, you probably can get those at different points in time,” Donovan said. “I think for Dion, because of his ability to drive the ball and his ability to pass, him staying away from that I think actually opened up more things for him.”"
Sometimes, those off-balance pull-ups can still be a frustration. Yet, as he shifts his game, only taking 16 percent of his shots this series from mid-range (as Katz noted) and looking to drive to the basket and pass to create better shots for his teammates, Waiters has been providing more moments that garner respect instead of frustration.
This beautiful wrap-around pass to set up an easy dunk for Serge Ibaka demonstrated how well Waiters attacked the lane, spotted his teammate, and adjusted mid air for the pass rather than a contested layup.
And from a defensive standpoint, Waiters has been a surprising impact player throughout these playoffs. He did a good job against Kawhi Leonard in the second round at times, physically bodying up against him and aggressively attacking the ball at the perimeter, while continuing his assertive play against the Warriors.
Against the most unstoppable shooting team in history, Waiters is doing all he can to bother shooters by playing with intensity to match their steps outside and using his strength to hold opponents outside of the paint on drives or in the post.
Next: 3. The Thunder's defense is better than expected