Playoffs discussion

[Q-is-here]

One thing I noticed Indiana does really well is hedge and recover so that SGA and JDub can't switch-bait them. You rarely see anyone other than Nembhard guarding SGA because a) he fights like hell to get around screens, and b) when he does get caught up in a screen, the guy getting screened briefly presses up to SGA until Nemhard is back in the play and then he recovers back to his man.

I got so frustrated watching Naz Reid get targeted and the Wolves simply rolled over and allowed it, with Naz switching onto a guard or wing and then getting burned.

This is also a strategy the Wolves will need if or when Dillingham starts playing critical minutes and gets targeted.

[Lipoli390]

One thing I noticed Indiana does really well is hedge and recover so that SGA and JDub can't switch-bait them. You rarely see anyone other than Nembhard guarding SGA because a) he fights like hell to get around screens, and b) when he does get caught up in a screen, the guy getting screened briefly presses up to SGA until Nemhard is back in the play and then he recovers back to his man.

I got so frustrated watching Naz Reid get targeted and the Wolves simply rolled over and allowed it, with Naz switching onto a guard or wing and then getting burned.

This is also a strategy the Wolves will need if or when Dillingham starts playing critical minutes and gets targeted.

Great point, Q.

[Phenom]

OKC has two 1st rd picks this season. (#15/#24)
OKC has three 1st rd picks next season.
OKC has two 1st rd. picks in '27.

So they're better positioned than the Wolves to get even better. And they have a younger, more talented roster already. For example, I think guys like Chet Holmgren or Cason Wallace would be much better in a year or two. EVERYONE is locked in contractually for next season and J. Williams and Holmgren are locks to be extended the year after that.

Keep the gang together... or... start trading assets for a bigger fish in the pond. Either way, no NBA team is in as good of shape as the Thunder are. It's actually sorta scary.

The NBA can start re-alignment any time... please.

If all those picks hit that would be 7 players, almost an entire rotation. On the bright side, most of those picks will never be on their roster due to constraints of some kond OR they will push some of their 68 win rotation out the door. We shall see.

Whatever TC gets paid, Sam Presti should make four times more at least. Those picks are contingencies. They can be used to trade for key role players in the event of injuries or other things, etc.

Presti has had a heck of a run. Will he continue to spin gold with all of that? We shall see.

[kekgeek]

The Thunder are more than likely going to win the title this year and will be heavy favorites next year. But I will say again SGA/Williams/Chet are set to make approx 150 million dollars combined in 2 years (even more if Chet makes all nba or DPoy) so they will have approximately 55 million to spend on 12 players to stay out of the Lux tax. Their really good role players in Dort, Caruso, Hartinstien, Wallace probably all gone if the big 3 don’t take a pay cut. Yes they have the picks to replace those players for cheap but no promises those players will be good.

I’m not as sold on the dynasty Thunder talk as others. We will see if it is possible in the new CBA era. (Subject to change my opinion if they take a paycut)

[Coolbreeze44]

OKC has two 1st rd picks this season. (#15/#24)
OKC has three 1st rd picks next season.
OKC has two 1st rd. picks in '27.

So they're better positioned than the Wolves to get even better. And they have a younger, more talented roster already. For example, I think guys like Chet Holmgren or Cason Wallace would be much better in a year or two. EVERYONE is locked in contractually for next season and J. Williams and Holmgren are locks to be extended the year after that.

Keep the gang together... or... start trading assets for a bigger fish in the pond. Either way, no NBA team is in as good of shape as the Thunder are. It's actually sorta scary.

The NBA can start re-alignment any time... please.

This is why we can't stand pat. There is no future in that.

[Coolbreeze44]

OKC has two 1st rd picks this season. (#15/#24)
OKC has three 1st rd picks next season.
OKC has two 1st rd. picks in '27.

So they're better positioned than the Wolves to get even better. And they have a younger, more talented roster already. For example, I think guys like Chet Holmgren or Cason Wallace would be much better in a year or two. EVERYONE is locked in contractually for next season and J. Williams and Holmgren are locks to be extended the year after that.

Keep the gang together... or... start trading assets for a bigger fish in the pond. Either way, no NBA team is in as good of shape as the Thunder are. It's actually sorta scary.

The NBA can start re-alignment any time... please.

If all those picks hit that would be 7 players, almost an entire rotation. On the bright side, most of those picks will never be on their roster due to constraints of some kond OR they will push some of their 68 win rotation out the door. We shall see.

They will keep using some of those picks for future picks. They can perpetuate this for the foreseeable future.

[Phenom]

OKC has two 1st rd picks this season. (#15/#24)
OKC has three 1st rd picks next season.
OKC has two 1st rd. picks in '27.

So they're better positioned than the Wolves to get even better. And they have a younger, more talented roster already. For example, I think guys like Chet Holmgren or Cason Wallace would be much better in a year or two. EVERYONE is locked in contractually for next season and J. Williams and Holmgren are locks to be extended the year after that.

Keep the gang together... or... start trading assets for a bigger fish in the pond. Either way, no NBA team is in as good of shape as the Thunder are. It's actually sorta scary.

The NBA can start re-alignment any time... please.

If all those picks hit that would be 7 players, almost an entire rotation. On the bright side, most of those picks will never be on their roster due to constraints of some kond OR they will push some of their 68 win rotation out the door. We shall see.

They will keep using some of those picks for future picks. They can perpetuate this for the foreseeable future.

As long as they dont keep trading 3 firsts for Ousmane Dieng.

[AussieWolf3]

It is simply impossible to not love everything about the way TJ McConnel plays basketball. What a player

[AussieWolf3]

Siakam O.o that was just nasty! What a bad man lol

[Crazysauce]

That play there was the epitome of why everyone hates okc. Hartenstein commits the foul that goes uncalled. Then runs right into the the guys elbow and flops over. Now a missed call and a bs technical. Some of the most unethical basketball I have ever watched.