Thunder End of the Season Report Card: Isaiah Joe

It seems that Isaiah Joe would’ve been the perfect roleplayer for a team that features both James Harden and Joel Embiid, but the Philadelphia 76ers waived the 23-year-old gunner just five days prior to the start of the season.

The Sixers decision to cut Joe, their second-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, turned out to be enormously fortuitous for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who scooped him up just three days later.

After averaging less than four points per game in less than 1000 minutes across his first two seasons in Philadelphia, the former Arkansas Razorback exploded onto the scene in Oklahoma City, immediately displaying his capabilities as a shooter and his competitiveness on the defensive side of the floor.

Joe would go on to record career-high marks in his third season, averaging 9.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists on 62.6% true shooting, and 40.9% shooting on 5.4 3-pointers per game, through 73 games.

Grade: B

After a rocky start to his career, Joe’s big breakout game would come just two weeks after signing with the Thunder.

With his team down 16 points with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, the 6-foot-4 sniper checked in to score 15 points in nine minutes to help Oklahoma City force overtime against the Dallas Mavericks where they would complete the unlikely comeback victory.

As the season progressed, Joe quickly became a fixture within Mark Daigneault’s rotation, coming off the bench to score in bunches and provide the much-needed spacing for guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams to get downhill and attack the rim.

Offensively

Outside of Gilgeous-Alexander, there were times where it seemed that Joe was the only other player was able to rely on to put points on the board. His efficiency combined with the volume of his 3-point attempts truly made him a threat every time he stepped on the floor and earned him an “A” here.

Joe wasn’t just making regular shots, either. Watch any game and you will see the lanky guard running, cutting, and dragging defenders through several screens to free himself up for a off-movement 3-pointer. Or, on occasion, he’d take a step forward and bury a smooth mid-range jumper or continue into the lane to finish over the top of the defense.

The third-year sharpshooter rounded out the season knocking down 44.1% of all of his shots, a team-high 161 triples, and converted 82 of his 100 free throw attempts en route to strengthening the wing rotation and helping the Thunder into the postseason.

Defensively

Joe’s penchant for making big plays and competing on the defensive side of the ball also stood and became a common theme throughout the year as he consistently elevated the Thunder offensively while inspiring the defense by showing an energy and effort rarely seen from smaller guards.

The 165-pound guard had no problem putting his body on the line either, evidenced by his 20 charges drawn — the seventh most in the NBA this season.

However, despite his competitiveness, Joe being on the floor meant that teams could take advantage of his lack of size and lack of strength, both in the post and on dribble drives. For that reason, Joe earns a well-deserved “C” here.

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