The new yr is upon us. It’s a time of remembrance, of contemporary beginnings, and optimistic change. As 2023 approaches, there are a couple of resolutions that the Oklahoma City Thunder may wish to think about.
A decision is a promise to your self to do or to not do one thing in hopes of bettering oneself. The phrase descends from the Latin phrase, “resolvere,” that means to loosen or launch.
These guarantees are normally accompanied by targets – targets designed to loosen or launch a person, or on this case, a franchise, from undesirable penalties.
Here are three resolutions Oklahoma City can undertake in 2023.
Get Another Big Man
Did that the Thunder have allowed probably the most rebounds per 100 possessions? They enable the eighth-most factors within the paint, too. This is a byproduct of getting ill-equipped and undersized facilities on the roster whereas taking part in within the Western Conference.
Aleksej Pokusevski is a real seven-footer, however he weighs in at simply 210 kilos. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is listed at 230 kilos however is simply 6-foot-9, doesn’t have a variety of size, and lacks the perfect mobility to defend perimeter gamers. Jaylin Williams is a rookie that has an intriguing offensive recreation and brings an unimaginable mixture of measurement and intelligence to the desk however is restricted by his measurement, relative lack of athleticism, and inexperience.
Mike Muscala is just like Robinson-Earl however is the higher flooring spacer and is taller, however simply doesn’t reduce it on protection and at 31 years previous, doesn’t match the Thunder’s timeline long-term. And the Thunder appeared to have already moved on from fourth-year challenge, Darius Bazley. Yes, a completely wholesome Chet Holmgren could possibly be becoming a member of the staff subsequent yr, however it’s by no means clever to imagine and it by no means hurts to make upgrades to a struggling frontcourt.
So given the totality of the circumstances surrounding Oklahoma City’s frontcourt, the addition of a extra formidable massive man may assist the Thunder squeeze probably the most out of their present season. It’s been some time for the reason that franchise has had an impactful middle that would rim-run, seize boards, and defend the paint.
Play Every Quarter Likes It’s the Third Quarter
The Thunder are placing up the fifth-most factors per 100 possessions within the third quarter, however rank within the backside 10 in factors scored in each different body, extra time excluded. If Head Coach Mark Daigneault can bottle no matter magic is going on and solid that very same spell on the remainder of the sport, the Thunder may actually take an enormous leap as a staff.
Per recreation, Oklahoma City is scoring 30.7 factors within the third body, which ranks second proper behind the Memphis Grizzlies. This is because of an lively protection and an emphasis on rebounding that’s giving the Thunder additional possessions. The Thunder are additionally capitalizing on their alternatives as properly, capturing 48.9% from the sphere, 37% on 8.5 3-point makes an attempt, and changing 83.2% of their 5.5 journeys to the free throw line.
Unleash Tre Mann
After a formidable run of video games to cap off 2021-22 that showcased all of what Tre Mann needed to supply, you’ll suppose the Thunder would have tried to faucet into {that a} bit extra this season. That hasn’t been the case.
Yes, the 6-foot-5 ankle-breaker is averaging over 20 minutes per recreation this season, however has a utilization fee of simply 21.1% and is taking simply 9 photographs per recreation. Just 9. A rhythm shooter like Mann wants extra of a runway to interrupt his recreation open.
Mann has poured in 17 factors for the Thunder in every of his final two contests and is coming off of back-to-back monster video games he performed within the G League. On December twenty first, Mann scored 35 factors and went 7-for-11 from downtown. The subsequent evening, Mann dropped a cool 40-piece on the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
As the Thunder inch nearer to the tip of the season and into Mann’s third yr within the NBA, it could be a disgrace to not discover all of his potential and stifle his growth. So let Mann fly and see what he might be. That means giving him extra minutes and an even bigger position this season and the entrance workplace could should make some adjustments for that to occur, however he could possibly be an enormous a part of the way forward for this franchise.
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