This year I would like to see the Thunder make a deep playoff run. Here are some factors that can heavily affect this.
We try to get the team involved too much whenever we have a better play. We beat the Cavs but can’t beat a shorthanded Kings. Our offense is inconsistent, as well as our defense relying on wether Chet is at the rim or not. In the 4th Quarter we don’t feed Shai enough, Josh disappears, Chet doesn’t crash, and starters barely touch the ball early. Basically, if we are down by more than 10 in the 4th, we don’t stick to the fundamentals or the logical advances. We don’t run starters of let Shai run the game when it matters.
So, what will our record be towards the end of the season?
No, the Thunder aren’t contenders. We’ve looked good, yes, but over a seven game series, individual quality shines brighter. In reality, in my opinion, we should be looking to a) make the playoffs and b) give a good team a hard time. Whether that means getting past the first round, or losing in seven, six, or whatever it is, I don’t mind. Of course, it can all change with the right trades, or good personnel development. But right now, I’d imagine we’d lose to most teams with a physical center. Given likely matchups (Suns, Nuggets, Lakers? The west is a mess) I don’t looooove our odds, but hey! It’s very exciting to be in this position with such incredible upside.
No we are not contenders. This is a development year. Getting to play offs should be the goal. Not one of our core: SGA, jDub, Chet, dort, giddey etc are in their primes.
This is just my two cents. I don’t care if the Thunder trade for a big or stand pat. But it’s a bad idea to have a franchise cornerstone banging around with guys outweighing him 50 lbs every night. He needs to be protected to some degree.
I DO think that the Thunder should start building cohesion as a starting lineup. Right now, IMHO that’s SGA, Chet, JDUB and probably Dort. Those 4 should be starting right now.
He needs to start those 4 and they should generally be closing games out. Cason Wallace needs to be factored heavily into that rotation and is a candidate to finish, as is JWill, and Joe.
Giddey should have his minutes cut for the time being and shouldn’t be on the court as a general rule to close out games.
Winning must, at some point, start being prioritized. If you don’t try to win, you really don’t know how close you are or how far away you are from competing.
No, but we’re not as far off as people may think. One move from presti and we’re right there.
We are regular season contenders. YES.
Playoffs? WELL, if SGA turns into Jordan, then YES. Else, I just hope we get past the 1st round. That is my only hope as the Kings didn’t last year and I feel we’re in that role this year of a team who has young gunners and fresh feet.