Oklahoma City Thunder: New Kids on the Block!

Oklahoma City Thunder: New Kids on the Block!

The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the most exciting teams this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having an MVP season this year. Chet Holmgren is on pace to win rookie of the year. Jalen Williams has been great in his second season. Mark Daigneault is going to be coach of the year by the end of the season. Sam Presti showed the world that his plans have worked. The shit ton of picks he owns are paying off. Now, they are the new kids on the block. They have been beating the best of the best teams. OKC is one of the best young teams in the NBA.

Shai-Gilgeous Alexander has been one of the best point guards in the league this year. He is averaging MVP numbers this season. He has 31 points per game, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. He's shooting an impressive 64% from the field. With this performance, he has earned himself a spot in the top 5 in the MVP ranking. The 25-year-old has been one of the coldest players in the league. His handle package is something to die for. He is so quick that when defenders blink, he finishes strong around the basket.

SGA has one of the best Euro steps that I have ever seen. He can score in the midrange with ease. He is very good with the floaters, and he can explode to the rim. SGA demands a lot of gravity, which opens the floor for his teammates. He can make those clean-ass kick-outs when the defenders are trying to attack him. He is one hell of a shot creator, which shows as he is in the top 5 in scoring. It is crazy that he attempts only 3.4 threes per game while still averaging 30 or more points per game. It is impossible to guard him. He scares the defenders. SGA is going to be an MVP in the following seasons, and he has the best core around him with the likes of Chet Holmgren.

  The Rookie of the Year race has been tight as hell, but one guy who is making a strong case is Chet Holmgren. He is one hell of a rim protector who is averaging 2.7 blocks per game, considering he is only a rookie! He is averaging 17 points per game, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game on 65 true shooting percentage. It is crazy how Chet moves like a guard. He can create his shot with ease, is a willing passer, and is great beyond the arc.

Soon we will see Chet become defensive Player of the Year. He is an incredible rim protector for such a young age. He is averaging 2.7 blocks per game, putting him in the top four for block leaders. He is competing with Victor Webenyama. He has established himself as one a great defender. He forces the player who drives to alter their shots. Sure, he missed his rookie season, but he plays like he has experience in the NBA. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are the best side kicks to put next to SGA.

Jalen Williams has been the perfect wing to put next to the two young and coming. Jalen is a good defender, and he has an incredible offensive game. He is good at creating his own shot and handling the ball. Williams has continued to improve. He is averaging 18 points per game, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds. He has a 61% true shooting percentage. Jalen will continue to develop his game and turn into an All-Star. He and Lu Dort are the perfect wing players for the Thunder.

Lu Dort has been a huge positive for the Oklahoma City Thunder since landing there five years ago. He has become one hell of a defender who can guard the best offensive team on the other team. He signed an $87.5 million deal in the summer of 2022 and has shown his value since. Dort has made strides on offense, as he shoots 34 percent from 3. Lu can handle the rock well and finish around the basket. Lu Dort has been a key player since the rebuild. OKC has a lot of young role players who can make a difference.

Isaiah Joe cannot miss the 3 this season. Where he shoots 42 percent. He has been a great spark for the Thunder. Josh Giddey has been a good passer for the team. But he has taken a dip this season. The rookie Carson Wallace has been a good three-point shooter this season. He has a 41 percent shooting percentage beyond the arc. The Oklahoma City Thunder have many assets and young players that they can move for.

There is a trade rumor that Lauri Markkanen is one of those players that teams will die for this mid-season. He would be great for the Thunder to stretch the floor and play off of SGA. Last season, Lauri made the jump. He earned himself an All-Star appearance and the Most Improved Player award. Oklahoma has so many picks that it's best to move them around. If Oklahoma ends up getting him, it will be very hard to go against the backcourt of Chet and Lauri. Sam Presti is a brilliant GM, so it will be fun to think about the next moves he makes.

Sam Presti, since being the head master of Oklahoma, has done one hell of a job. From 2007 to now, he has made Thunder into a player. He drafted Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. He also traded for Paul George and SGA. These moves show his great mind. The great feeling he has for the sport of basketball. He's had many picks, earning trust in the rebuild. It shows ownership knows Sam is important. And Sam brought in the right coach for the team.

 Mark Daigneault since becoming coach has done one hell of a job. The 38 year old coach fits into the 'New Kids on the Block' title. Mark has led the Thunder to sixth best offensive rating, and fifth in defensive ranking. He is on the road of becoming coach of the year. He has been the right man for the job and you can see that with the development of his players. Oklahoma City Thunder is on the right track because of these two and it shows as they are second seed in the West.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the best rebuilding teams in the NBA. Chet, SGA, and Jalen Williams are the future of the franchise. Sam Presti and Mark Daigneault have done an incredible job building this squad. The future is bright in Oklahoma. They are in a position where they could make a big trade later down the line. I wouldn't be surprised if Oklahoma City wins a championship in a few years. The Thunder are the 'New Kids on the Block' and they have shown it this season.

 
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