As we’re now passing the Holiday level in the NBA season, Oklahoma City’s document stands at 14-19, good for twelfth in the West. The Thunder has had probabilities to make up floor on a play-in spot, however late sport struggles have been robust to beat recently. It doesn’t look like a season of dramatic shedding like the final two, but it surely additionally doesn’t look like OKC is gearing up for a play-in run. It would definitely be enjoyable, however the roster doesn’t fairly appear prepared but.
Outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City’s roster doesn’t function many playoff-caliber playoffs proper now. That doesn’t imply the Thunder gained’t have the items quickly, but it surely takes time to develop younger gamers. With the younger expertise, although, it’s obvious that OKC may have a preventing likelihood in practically each sport this season.
No matter how a lot the Thunder has fallen behind, the workforce at all times appears to discover a manner again in it. This youthful squad performs so exhausting each single night time and it reveals in the finals scores. It’s additionally evident in the workforce stats part, the place Oklahoma City ranks close to the prime of the NBA in nearly each “hustle stat” class. It is sensible, as Oklahoma City is full of younger, aggressive playmakers attempting to stay onto an NBA roster.
OKC ranks No. 3 in contested photographs behind Golden State and Boston, No. 3 in free balls recovered behind the Pacers and the Knicks and No. 1 in fees drawn. Oklahoma City can be tied for first in the league’s minutes performed part, showcasing what number of time beyond regulation video games the workforce has performed in already, and eleventh general in workforce deflections. Every class in the hustle part is a testomony to the manner the Thunder play as a workforce.
After struggling on protection over the starting of season, Oklahoma City is again as much as No. 10 in defensive ranking. The Thunder ranks fifth in steals and eighth in blocks, too, including to the workforce’s defensive qualities.
Adding rookies like Jalen Williams, Ousmane Dieng and Jaylin Williams have actually helped Oklahoma City’s depth, however each Dieng and J-Will have spent heavy time in the G League. Isaiah Joe, who was added to the roster after taking part in for Philadelphia, has additionally been a supply of each factors and vitality off the bench. OKC has so many younger gamers preventing for enjoying time, it’s no marvel everybody performs so exhausting.
Defensive minded stoppers like Lu Dort, Kenrich Williams and Aaron Wiggins have helped set the tradition for the Thunder, and this season isn’t any completely different.
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