Thunder F Gibson providing scoring help for Westbrook
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Taj Gibson often describes his role for the Thunder as doing whatever the team needs.
For now, scoring is playing a bigger part than usual. The versatile 6-foot-9 power forward has found his way since being traded from Chicago and has emerged one of Oklahoma City's few consistent offensive weapons alongside Russell Westbrook in the playoffs. He may need to keep it up to give the Thunder a chance of winning the first-round series with Houston - Oklahoma City trails 2-1 heading into Game 4 Sunday at home.
Gibson built a sterling reputation in Chicago, but the Brooklyn, New York native is more concerned with the respect he's earned since his arrival.
''They see I'm in here late nights, early mornings, just constantly working with my teammates, constantly putting work in,'' he said. ''The confidence is going to be there because they understand you do the work, but I'm just trying to do whatever I can to help my team.''
Gibson has done a little bit of everything since coming to the Thunder. He has provided experience and versatility to an already stacked frontline that includes emerging young players Steven Adams and Enes Kanter. He also has added toughness, and at times, scoring punch. His athleticism and ability to guard on the perimeter against outside-shooting big men and on switches fills some of the void created when the Thunder traded Serge Ibaka on draft night this past offseason.
''Great vet,'' guard Victor Oladipo said. ''Great man, first and foremost. Very positive and does what it takes to win. It was a great pickup for us.''
Domantas Sabonis was the starting power forward when Gibson arrived in Oklahoma City, but once he got settled and began to understand coach Billy Donovan's system, the Thunder improved. Gibson replaced Sabonis for the first time March 9 against San Antonio, and the Thunder went 11-5 with him in the starting lineup. He averaged 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 21 regular-season games for the Thunder.
He is averaging 11 points on 65 percent shooting in the playoffs. He was effective on offense in Game 2, establishing himself early and helping put the Thunder in position to win. Oklahoma City went away from him late, and Houston rallied for the victory.
In Game 3, the Thunder went back to him consistently. a href(equals)'https://apnews.com/dab4b99c496a4450906c11a9c72132d1/Westbrook's-triple-double-leads-Thunder-past-Rockets-115-113?utm-campaign=SocialFlow&utm-source=Twitter&utm-medium=AP-Sports'He finished with 20 points on 10-for-13 shooting in Oklahoma City's 115-113 win/a on Friday night.
''Taj is a great post player,'' Westbrook said. ''He does a great job of getting in great position down low. When we see a matchup that we like we are going to keep going to him. Whether it is a miss or a make, it gives us the opportunity to score the basketball in the paint.''
Gibson did damage inside and out and punished the Rockets with his mid-range jumper.
''It's no shock to me, just because that mid-range is automatic for him,'' Thunder forward Doug McDermott, who also joined the Thunder in the trade with Chicago, said. ''He's tough to guard on that block too.''
Gibson also had a fast start in Game 2, but once the Thunder began to struggle, they went away from him. Gibson knew he didn't need to change much going into Game 3.
''Just continue to be aggressive,'' he said. ''I felt like I had good shots in Game 2. Just got to stay with it and play the game as it flows to me.''
On defense, Gibson has been a better option than Kanter and Adams, who have struggled to keep up with the more athletic Rockets. Gibson performed well in all facets in Game 3, and Donovan needs more of that in Game 4.
''I was happy for him last night,'' Donovan said Saturday. ''I thought he gave us a great lift in both the first and second half. He's professional, he's a man, and he's a reliable guy.''
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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP .
