In case anyone was wondering whether the Thunder truly have the goods to win the NBA championship, their Game 1 performance against the Grizzlies should dispel any doubt, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes.
The Thunder tore a path of destruction with their dominating 131-80 victory, showing off their talent, depth, intensity, speed, ball movement and commitment to defend.
Among Western Conference playoff teams, the Thunder have the second-fewest combined games of playoff experience, Zillgitt notes. However, they have the talent to overcome that relative inexperience.
We have more on the Thunder:
- The 51-point victory was the fifth-largest in NBA postseason history, The Associated Press notes. “We played to our identity,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Nothing more, nothing less than that. We were who we were all year … and it’s going to be the key to our success, just staying true to who we are.”
- Alex Caruso, one of the Thunder’s key offseason acquisitions, is grateful for the opportunity to be on a championship-level team, he told Rylan Stiles of Sports Illustrated. “Yeah, I felt confident from Day 1, just (general manager) Sam (Presti) saying all the things people have said about me before,” he said. “Just how much he appreciates what I do for the team, winning the little things and how that can rub off on teammates. I know that is a gift of mine, and that is something I really try to push to influence the rest of the team because I know how much value it carries. For sure, them seeking me out and bringing me here goes a long way.” Caruso didn’t take a shot in Game 1, but contributed four assists and three rebounds in 12 minutes.
- Luguentz Dort isn’t one of the finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year award and Aaron Wiggins calls that “insane,” Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman tweets. “I do think there’s a lack of — I don’t wanna say attention to our team, but in terms of the way we played statistically defensively and the year we had, that doesn’t happen without elite defensive players,” Wiggins said. “Lu specifically is the main dude. He guards the best guards, the best wings, and even sometimes the forwards. I’ve watched him for years now not get credit for the work that he does.”
- Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the finalists for the league’s MVP award, told Lorenzi that he wants to be considered an all-time great but needs to lift his team in the postseason to prove it. “I want to be one of the best basketball players ever when it’s all said and done,” he said. “Like, competitively I want to be, and selfishly I want to be. Those things don’t come without winning. At the root of me, I just like to win. As a kid going to open gym, I wanted to win every game (and) stay on the floor the whole time. When you lose, you come off. Playing soccer growing up, I hated when I lost and had to wait until next week to play again.”
I agree that OKC has no real standout defensive players because the defense is such a high level, compared to Dyson (next to Trae).
Dort was voted among players in some poll as the toughest defender.
Wasn’t Caruso a DPOY candidate or 1st team a couple of years ago. I think they have stand out guys, but the fact no one on the teams takes plays off might make no one particular stand out.
They don’t have to have 1 guy guard the best player the entire game. Caruso can guard Ja a quarter, Dort another, SGA if they needed, Wallace another.
The only reason one could say that there’s no outstanding defenders on the Thunder is because the roster is full of outstanding defenders. One could make a case for SGA, Dort, and Jalen Williams for the All-Defensive teams and if it weren’t for the Player Participation Policy I’d argue that Caruso should be considered as well. Holmgren when healthy is a defensive scheme unto himself. Wallace is an exceptional defender though not quite in the level of his teammates while Wiggins, Joe, Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams are good on that end as well.
And you are forgetting Ajay Mitchell in your list.
They finally get to unleash their full roster. It seems like all season they have rested 2-3 guys at some point. IHart did have a legit injury to start, Chet then had a legit injury, Jalen had the hip strain near the end of the season. But they still gave Wiggins, Joe, Caruso, Wallace nights off at times. Jaylin even had a bit of an injury. Looking forward to this playoff run, not expecting 30+ wins but they should handle the Grizz.
The Clips vs Nugs is going to take a lot out of both teams. OKC should go in with some additional rest.
I feel like both those match ups suit the Thunder too.
For the Nuggets they have Chet and IHart to put on Jokic. Chet can handle him on the perimeter and Hart can bang with him in the block.
Then Murray their co star has to deal with Lu Dort and AC. JDub has Aaron Gordon under control and SGA doesn’t have to worry about Braun.
Down the other end, Murray and Braun can’t take Shai, Chet is going to be a problem. Then the Thunder have a very deep bench and guys like Wighins and Joe can go off for 20+ easily.
As for the Clippers, again IHart matches Zu. Defensively AC, Dort and JDub have Harden Powell and Kawhi. Whereas Dunn, Batum and Zu are their only real good defenders and they won’t be able to handle Shai, JDub, Chet and the bench impact
That game was Grisly…
Hit the like button if you get it. Real 1s get it…
If Curry and Durant weren’t allowed to win MVP because their team was “too stacked”, then Chet and SGA should not be allowed to win it either. Also because OKC was equally good without Chet or SGA proves that neither are more valuable to their team than the Joker is to Denver. It’s “most” valuable player. OKC has the deepest roster in the league and multiple superstars. If Curry and KD got shunned by voters, then SGA and Chet, a simliar duo, should have that put on them too.
Oh we’ve got a Oklahoma Warriors thread too, lol.
Best team all season. It’s insane how many of these “fans” of the game do not appreciate a 68 win team. We have reset the standards for team achievements I guess. Oh and not to mention this OKC team was the best point differential team in league history. 1971 Bucks? Won a title, 96 Bulls? Won a title. 72 Lakers? Won a title. 2017 Warriors won a title. Stop disrespecting this team just because you don’t like that it’s a small market team or you dislike Shai. They are the best team that we have seen this decade and the record and dominance this season backed it up.
I got OKC finally winning it all this year.