Should Bennett Stirtz Get A Green Light Similar To Jared McCain?

The Oklahoma City Thunder need more players willing to be aggressive offensively. With several important pieces out of the lineup, the responsibility cannot fall on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander every night. Someone else has to be willing to step up, take shots and make things happen. 

Bennett Stirtz could be one of those players, but he needs the opportunity to show it.

There is something the Thunder could take from the way Jared McCain has approached his role.

McCain doesn’t seem hesitant when he gets the basketball. If he sees an open shot, he takes it. If he has an opportunity to attack the defense, he does it. He understands that part of his job is to provide a scoring punch, and he hasn’t been afraid to embrace that responsibility.

His 21-point performance against Portland was another example. McCain knocked down four three-pointers and gave Oklahoma City a much-needed offensive boost. That’s the kind of contribution the Thunder need from their younger players right now.

Stirtz has the ability to provide some of that as well.

The rookie has shown flashes of his offensive game, particularly when he has opportunities to handle the ball and create something for himself or his teammates. His developing chemistry with Aday Mara has also been encouraging. The two have shown they can work well together, and giving them more opportunities to share the floor could give Oklahoma City another way to generate offense.

The question is whether Stirtz is getting enough freedom to play his game.

Against Portland, there were questions about why he didn’t receive more playing time before the game got out of hand. It’s understandable that Mark Daigneault has to balance his rotation, especially with so many players trying to find their place. But the Thunder are also in a position where they need to learn what they have in some of their younger players.

Stirtz isn’t going to figure everything out by sitting on the bench.

He will make mistakes. He will take shots that don’t fall. That’s part of the process with a young player, especially one adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA. 

But if Oklahoma City wants to get a better idea of what he can become, it has to give him a chance to play through some of those moments.

Nobody is suggesting Stirtz should come into a game and start forcing shots. That’s not what the Thunder need. They need him to recognize opportunities and trust his instincts. If he has an open three, take it. If the defense closes out too hard, attack the basket. Don’t spend the possession worrying about making a mistake.

McCain has shown the value of playing with that kind of confidence.

Oklahoma City doesn’t need Stirtz to become another McCain, and it certainly doesn’t need him to become another Gilgeous-Alexander. It needs him to find his own identity and become a player the coaching staff can trust when the rotation gets thin.

The injuries have created opportunities that might not have been available otherwise. The Thunder should take advantage of that. Giving Stirtz a longer leash could lead to some growing pains, but it could also help Oklahoma City discover another reliable offensive option.

At this point, finding out what Stirtz can do with a little more freedom might be worth the investment.