SABONIS WON'T START

At 20, Sabonis was Lithuania's youngest player at the tournament. In his first Olympics, the 6-foot-11, 240-pounder proved he'll be an important player for the Lithuanian National Team for years to come.

Sabonis showed off plenty of skill in his two starts and 18.5 minutes a game. He was active defensively (team-high 1.2 steals per game), was often utilized in high screens as the screener or to hand the ball off in offensive sets, and had at least one nifty up-and-under finish that helped Lithuania put away Brazil in its first game.

Those clamoring for Sabonis to start for the Thunder, however, may be left wanting. While there's a void at power forward with Serge Ibaka off to Orlando, Sabonis is less than a year removed from playing collegiately at Gonzaga. Along with the rest of the Lithuanians, Sabonis faded in their final three games — all losses — as he was dared to shoot from the perimeter (2-of-12 on jump shots in final three games). The officiating was dubious at times this Olympics, but Sabonis still fouled at a high rate (2.7 per game, second on team), twice fouling 3-point shooters on reckless closeouts.

Then there are the players in front of him in OKC. From his brief time in Orlando, 6-10 Ersan Ilyasova was lauded as a player who picks up systems quickly. Enes Kanter averaged 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds off the bench last season, is one of the world's best offensive rebounders and has developed chemistry in the pick-and-roll with Russell Westbrook. Plus, Sabonis needs to beat out Mitch McGary, who for all his troubles and injuries during his Thunder tenure, is talented and similar to Sabonis offensively.