How Terrance Ferguson fits into Thunder's plans
Playoff teams such as the Thunder rarely play rookies when the minutes start to matter deep into April and May. With youth comes inexperience, and with inexperience comes mistakes, which are costly in the postseason hothouse, where every possession matters.
That's why Terrance Ferguson, the Thunder's first round draft pick, probably won't see the court too much in his first season. Ferguson is one of the youngest players in the entire class, having just celebrated his 19th birthday over a month ago. He was one of the hyped recruits coming out of high school, but skipping Arizona in favor of a quiet season in Australia dipped his stock. As with any draft pick, General Manager Sam Presti and his staff had to play the guessing game of whether the true Ferguson resembles his McDonald's All-American showcase, or his disappointing season buried on the bench in Australia, where he only averaged 5 points a game.
Ferguson's measurements though, are much more promising. He stands at a healthy 6'7, where he will be able to shoot over 2 guards at his position as well as move up to small forward thanks to his height and impressive 6'9 wingspan. Ferguson is also an athletic freak, and his profile fits right in with a Thunder team filled to the brim with athletic beats such as Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Andre Roberson and Jerami Grant. It's safe to say Presti certainly has a type, but Ferguson might morph into the perfect version of that type.
Presti values length, athleticism and defensive versatility over all other traits, but that sometimes produces incomplete players who usually lack excellent shooting skills, which manifested itself in the Thunder's league worst 3 point field goal percentage. Ferguson though, has major potential to become a lockdown defender and 3 point specialist with Westbrook giving him uncontested looks.
The Thunder's lineup is pretty full as of now, so Ferguson will have to grind in the G-League and stay patient while quietly developing his craft. The talent of a lottery pick is sitting in plain sight, and now it's time for Ferguson to unleash.
That's why Terrance Ferguson, the Thunder's first round draft pick, probably won't see the court too much in his first season. Ferguson is one of the youngest players in the entire class, having just celebrated his 19th birthday over a month ago. He was one of the hyped recruits coming out of high school, but skipping Arizona in favor of a quiet season in Australia dipped his stock. As with any draft pick, General Manager Sam Presti and his staff had to play the guessing game of whether the true Ferguson resembles his McDonald's All-American showcase, or his disappointing season buried on the bench in Australia, where he only averaged 5 points a game.
Ferguson's measurements though, are much more promising. He stands at a healthy 6'7, where he will be able to shoot over 2 guards at his position as well as move up to small forward thanks to his height and impressive 6'9 wingspan. Ferguson is also an athletic freak, and his profile fits right in with a Thunder team filled to the brim with athletic beats such as Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Andre Roberson and Jerami Grant. It's safe to say Presti certainly has a type, but Ferguson might morph into the perfect version of that type.
Presti values length, athleticism and defensive versatility over all other traits, but that sometimes produces incomplete players who usually lack excellent shooting skills, which manifested itself in the Thunder's league worst 3 point field goal percentage. Ferguson though, has major potential to become a lockdown defender and 3 point specialist with Westbrook giving him uncontested looks.
The Thunder's lineup is pretty full as of now, so Ferguson will have to grind in the G-League and stay patient while quietly developing his craft. The talent of a lottery pick is sitting in plain sight, and now it's time for Ferguson to unleash.
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