Thunder Player Power Rankings - Game 3 Western Conference Finals

Thabo Sefolosha - "Honey Mongoose"

1. Thabo Sefolosha - 19 pts, 6 stls, 6 rebs, 4 3pt fgs

 There's a new X-factor in this series, mostly due to switching up defensive duties on Tony Parker. The Thunder needed to cut off the head of the snake, and Thabo is officially the "Honey Mongoose." Add in 4 timely "Thunder Money Balls" and a fourth scoring threat from the perimeter which made for a potentially series momentum shifting performance. Granted game 3 is not one of the most important games in a 7 game series, but the Spurs won games 1 & 2 by a combined 12 points, while the Thunder wrapped this one with a +20 point margin. Thunder have the point advantage in the series by +8, and if they win game 4 it just might zero out the Spurs' home court advantage. 

2. Russell Westbrook - 10 pts, 9 asts, 7 rebs, 4 stls, 2 tos 

Westbrook dialed back on the isolation play-making and trying to force shots which kept the floor open for extra passes and taking care of the ball - maximizing each possession. Thunder only had 7 turnovers while causing 21 Spurs turnovers. Westbrook played a balanced game with confidence and poise.

 3. Kevin Durant - 22 pts, 5 asts, 6 rebs, 5 asts, 6-6 fts

Thunder went 16-17 from the stripe, getting to the line enough times to balance out the officiating in the paint. Durant helped establish more shots closer to the basket and helping to dominate the early scoring inside the paint.

 4. James Harden - 15 pts, 3 asts, 4 rebs, 4-4 fts

 A nice, balanced performance by Harden. Much better decision making in this game when he helped the space by drawing defenders and creating space for others instead of trying to force his own way.

 5. Serge Ibaka - 14 pts, 3 blks, 2 stls, 3 rebs, 4-4 fts

Pressure D, knocked down the open jumpers, and got to the stripe a few times. Ibaka had much better hands this game, but still needs to bring down more rebounds.

6. Kendrick Perkins - 3 blks, 8 rebs

Perkins played with great humility in this game by knowing when to get out of the way (which on its own almost moved him up to #2), and knowing when to make his presence felt inside and on the defensive side of the ball, including a face-up block on a Ginobili jumper from outside.

7. Nick Collison - 6 pts, 4 rebs, 3-3 fgs

Really quality minutes from Collison.

8. Derek Fisher - 5 pts, 4 asts, 3 rebs

Played exactly the type of game he needs to play in a leadership role by facilitating the transition offense and helping on defense by pushing his man into difficult situations and not allowing space.