Oklahoma City Thunder Quarter Mark Report Card

Despite a rough 10-13 start without injured superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Oklahoma City Thunder has won seven of its last eight contests and is only two games behind the Phoenix Suns for the eighth seed in the loaded Western Conference. If Oklahoma City can keep up its torrid pace since healthy, there is no doubt that fans will once again see the Thunder in the NBA playoffs. With that said, here is a closer look at how each Thunder player has fared in the first quarter of the season.

Steven Adams : A-

One of only three players to remain completely healthy so far, the New Zealand native has played extremely well in his new role as the starting center, averaging 7.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.

Nick Collison: B-

Long considered a do-it-all bench player, Collison’s numbers have remained constant over the past six years, despite his increasing age and decreasing minutes.

Kevin Durant: C+

The reigning MVP just has not seemed like himself since returning from surgery, and this grade is a reflection of what he is capable of. Sure, he is averaging 20.5 points per game in fewer minutes, but he seems to be playing somewhat cautiously. The killer instinct that made him one of the most feared scorers in the league will return eventually, but it just isn’t there right now.

Serge Ibaka: B

When Westbrook went down in the second game of the season, it looked like this would be Ibaka’s team. Instead, his scoring actually has dipped from last year and he is taking far too many three-point attempts.

Reggie Jackson: A

It was the Reggie Jackson show for quite some time while the rest of the team was banged up, and boy was the Boston College product impressive. Even in Durant and Westbrook’s return, he has been a key scoring cog. If Jackson really is playing for a max contract, he’s doing a very good job.

Perry Jones: C

Without the big names, Jones thrived to start the season. But when he went down with his own injury against the Toronto Raptors, it really hurt his stock. Since returning, he seems to have lost his key spot in head coach Scott Brooks‘ rotation.

Jeremy Lamb: B+

Without a doubt the most polarizing player on this roster. At times, Lamb looks like a lights-out shooter from deep, but then he turns right around and misses every shot he takes in the next game. Still, he is the team’s best threat from downtown not named Anthony Morrow.

Anthony Morrow: A-

Morrow has never been a consistent volume scorer, but he has the ability to turn a game around if his shot is on. That has been the case a few times this season, and the Thunder are certainly getting solid production from the free agent.

Kendrick Perkins: B-

Believe it or not, but Perkins has actually seen an increase in his scoring average since downgrading to a bench role. Now, this is certainly helped by the 17 points he dropped against the Denver Nuggets, and the fact that most of the team was injured, but the grizzled veteran looks rejuvenated on both sides of the ball with his lesser role.

Andre Roberson: B-

Roberson’s athleticism and defensive prowess have helped the Thunder in some key late-game situations. He isn’t the shooting threat that Thabo Sefolosha was, but with Lamb and Morrow filling that void, Anderson really doesn’t need to.

Ish Smith: D

Doesn’t really have enough of a sample size to say, but Smith must be doing something right if the front office chose to keep him over Sebastian Telfair.

Lance Thomas: C-

For two or three games, Thomas looked like a dominant scorer. For the rest of those games, he looked like a run-of-the-mill bench player.

Russell Westbrook: A

Without a doubt the best player for the Thunder so far. Westbrook picked up right where he left off after returning from injury. The only reason he doesn’t get an A+ is for the two weeks he spent on the pine.

Scott Brooks: A-

Say what you will about Brooks’ coaching ability, but he kept an injury-plagued team afloat without their two best players and also kept the Thunder competitive in plenty of games that the team had no business being close in.

Overall: B

At full strength, this team is one of the true contenders for a title. Even with the injuries, however, the poor start can’t be ignored.