The preseason is an attention-grabbing time for NBA storylines. Throughout camp and exhibition video games, the thrill is all the time so excessive, however the motion nonetheless appears distant. With a younger and bettering crew, that hasn’t performed within the postseason in two years, followers are craving basketball much more.
Oklahoma City’s preseason slate kicks off the primary week of October, nevertheless it’s not too early to look just a few weeks forward. Mark Daigneault nearly actually gained’t distribute enjoying time like he would throughout the common season, particularly contemplating the accidents which have piled up during the last two seasons. Different lineups and low-stake exhibition video games might be two issues Oklahoma City wants heading right into a roster crunch.
When the Thunder tackle the Dallas Mavericks to open the preliminary slate on Oct. 3, there will likely be gamers utilizing preseason performances for roster positioning. These exhibition video games will completely matter for anybody close to the top of the bench, and with added accountability, these video games now matter for second and third 12 months guys vying for minutes. Here are just a few storylines I’ll be following as issues tip off:
Wing Minutes
I’m very eager about who comes off the bench for the Thunder this season. Between Kenrich Williams, Aaron Wiggins and Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City has three slashing wings that every one most likely deserve to play.
Depending on the place rookie Ousmane Dieng matches finest, he might be thrown into this class as nicely for the Thunder. With Williams being a proficient lottery decide, he’s gonna get his probability. But the preseason is a good time for somebody like Wiggins to remind the Thunder he nonetheless wants his minutes.
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Point Guard Situation
Oklahoma City missed out on beneficial chemistry improvement when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey every missed time down the stretch. Before the duo went down, it appeared like they had been lastly discovering some chemistry.
Now, after an offseason of development, the Thunder’s two stars may have added strain to make it work. I’ll be following Gilgeous-Alexander’s off-ball development, in addition to the way in which that Giddey and SGA play off of one another inside the offense.
The Rookies
Even although Chet Holmgren gained’t be enjoying, the Thunder have some thrilling younger weapons to be enthusiastic about. Jalen Williams may find yourself being one of many steal’s of the draft and appears to slot in completely with OKC’s core. Watching him share the ground with Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the preseason is one thing I’m excited to see.
Ousmane Dieng can even demand courtroom time together with his intrigue and potential. If he’s additional alongside than projected it might be a enjoyable season for Thunder followers. Oklahoma City additionally drafted Arkansas’s Jaylin Williams within the second spherical, and with Holmgren’s harm, the Thunder may want further entrance courtroom assist.
The Thunder tip-off preseason on Monday, Oct. 3, at 8 p.m. in Denver in opposition to the Nuggets.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link