OKC Thunder 2023-24 Regular Season Discussion

[ThunderBolt]

It's clear to me that the higher the pick the greater the vested interest is in giving the player the opportunity to succeed. It was obvious last year that Jalen Williams had supplanted Giddey as Shai's number 2 but took the organization and it's disciples like Schlecht too long to acknowlege the obvious. I'm actually fine to keep Giddey if he's amicable to a reasonable extension but the extended leash he's given compared to other players that out perform him bugs me.

[Devilanche]

End of the day , giddey flaws is really hard to overlook while his strength is not really a point of focus right now.

We probably be performing better if either Kenrich or Wiggins take his spot , even though each player individual upside might be a lot lower.

[mr570]

End of the day , giddey flaws is really hard to overlook while his strength is not really a point of focus right now.

We probably be performing better if either Kenrich or Wiggins take his spot , even though each player individual upside might be a lot lower.

It's not fair to Josh at this point imo

[ThunderBolt]

End of the day , giddey flaws is really hard to overlook while his strength is not really a point of focus right now.

We probably be performing better if either Kenrich or Wiggins take his spot , even though each player individual upside might be a lot lower.

It's not fair to Josh at this point imo

We need to quit caring about Giddey’s feelings. That’s the problem.

[Patches Perry]

Every time we play Houston I feel sick that we drafted Senguin and traded him. He's perfect for our system.

[Big nick]

Every time we play Houston I feel sick that we drafted Senguin and traded him. He's perfect for our system.

He is pretty good for sure hind site is 20/20 I though that for a guy who couldn't shoot or jump he would be a bust.

[Clav]

Big time rally from down 16 vs Rockets. This is going to be a tough series for us the next handful of years, we always have a little rivalry with the Rox I feel.

4Q coming.... Thunder Up!

[kdthunderup]

Every time we play Houston I feel sick that we drafted Senguin and traded him. He's perfect for our system.

How is he perfect for our system? Presti always wanted a roaming type center who can shoot the 3 and close down space quickly. It’s why he went so hard at Mobley before we got Chet.

Sengun is too slow to work with on our current defensive system. He is more suited to a conservative drop coverage type defense which lets him camp in the paint.

[mr570]

End of the day , giddey flaws is really hard to overlook while his strength is not really a point of focus right now.

We probably be performing better if either Kenrich or Wiggins take his spot , even though each player individual upside might be a lot lower.

It's not fair to Josh at this point imo

We need to quit caring about Giddey’s feelings. That’s the problem.

I mean starting him and giving him these minutes in that role. That’s not fair to him. He can’t do what is being asked of him. He does other things. Not what they’re doing with him.

[Patches Perry]

Every time we play Houston I feel sick that we drafted Senguin and traded him. He's perfect for our system.

How is he perfect for our system? Presti always wanted a roaming type center who can shoot the 3 and close down space quickly. It’s why he went so hard at Mobley before we got Chet.

Sengun is too slow to work with on our current defensive system. He is more suited to a conservative drop coverage type defense which lets him camp in the paint.

Perfect offensively and very good rebounder. Of course a 7 footer who can score and shoot outside, rebound, play switchable defense, and be a threat enough on offense to make dribble and pass decisions quickly would be perfect, but that player doesn't exist. Sengun checks most of those boxes.

[Old Man Game]

It's clear to me that the higher the pick the greater the vested interest is in giving the player the opportunity to succeed. It was obvious last year that Jalen Williams had supplanted Giddey as Shai's number 2 but took the organization and it's disciples like Schlecht too long to acknowlege the obvious. I'm actually fine to keep Giddey if he's amicable to a reasonable extension but the extended leash he's given compared to other players that out perform him bugs me.

He must look really good in practice or something. Even Dieng was a lottery pick (lower than 6th to state there obvious) but he picks up D league assignments all the time.

[retrobro90]

I think Giddey is still a valuable guy on the team. He's not in the same stratosphere to the superhuman scoring efficiency of our big 3 and the fit is obviously clunky as it currently stands. He's still had big games for us though and rarely makes big mistakes as a 6'9" guy who rebounds better than the majority of our team.

As far as this offseason goes I think he ultimately gets dealt given Presti's history of not letting guys get to RFA. And I think despite what his reputation is among hardcore fans there's still a ton of intrigue around the league in getting a new look at him in a different environment. He's still quite young and possesses some rare/unteachable skills. I would predict another semi-symbiotic deal this summer that lands Giddey somewhere he can have more license and maybe move on mentally from what his current situation represents.

[retrobro90]

I'm a little worried Hayward may not even see the floor after Game 1 of our first playoff matchup. Every shot he's taken thus far has been TIGHTLY contested. He hasn't many (or any?) C&S opportunities yet and I'm afraid it might be all he can provide if he no longer possesses the athleticism required to attack a closeout. The playmaking is still there and he's shockingly not been terrible defensively even though teams aren't really going at him. He plays smart help and you can tell he's trying. When they tighten the rotations in the playoffs there's a real difference between he and Wiggins and Wiggins is better in basically every aspect.

[slick_watts]

another needed road win, but the starters were again miserable compared to the rest of the team. in 14 minutes of floor time they were neutral against the rockets.

gordon hayward stinks but the point of that trade wasn't to improve the team it was to clear salary. whether it's hayward or someone else, the thunder need to make a change to the starters and put a better performing unit in there come playoff time imo. the obstinance to NOT do this is what cost the durimng their only finals appearance in 2012.

[Devilanche]

It's not fair to Josh at this point imo

We need to quit caring about Giddey’s feelings. That’s the problem.

I mean starting him and giving him these minutes in that role. That’s not fair to him. He can’t do what is being asked of him. He does other things. Not what they’re doing with him.

You build your team around stars , everyone else have to fit in or find a better fit elsewhere .

[kdthunderup]

Every time we play Houston I feel sick that we drafted Senguin and traded him. He's perfect for our system.

How is he perfect for our system? Presti always wanted a roaming type center who can shoot the 3 and close down space quickly. It’s why he went so hard at Mobley before we got Chet.

Sengun is too slow to work with on our current defensive system. He is more suited to a conservative drop coverage type defense which lets him camp in the paint.

Perfect offensively and very good rebounder. Of course a 7 footer who can score and shoot outside, rebound, play switchable defense, and be a threat enough on offense to make dribble and pass decisions quickly would be perfect, but that player doesn't exist. Sengun checks most of those boxes.

Ummmm Chet?

Sengun cant shoot the 3 that well which means Shai and JDub don't have the space to operate as effectively. I think he is a really good player but he doesn't suit our style of play or system on either end.

[kdthunderup]

I'm a little worried Hayward may not even see the floor after Game 1 of our first playoff matchup. Every shot he's taken thus far has been TIGHTLY contested. He hasn't many (or any?) C&S opportunities yet and I'm afraid it might be all he can provide if he no longer possesses the athleticism required to attack a closeout. The playmaking is still there and he's shockingly not been terrible defensively even though teams aren't really going at him. He plays smart help and you can tell he's trying. When they tighten the rotations in the playoffs there's a real difference between he and Wiggins and Wiggins is better in basically every aspect.

I'm willing to give him 10-20 games to find his feet and get more familiar with our system before making any judgements. Mark also said he was going to slowly work Hayward into the rotation and didn't want him disrupting the current team dynamics. I get the feeling he is going out there and not really asserting himself yet and is being a lot more passive then he usually would be.

There were some games this season where he scored well with guys like Butler on him so I don't think he is washed just yet.

[Bremzi]

Watch on YouTube

A very good video analysis of OKC's offense. Looking forward to the playoffs!

[Clav]

We have 3 major road trips (4 total) left on the schedule. We have lots of East teams on the docket, and some winnable fodder for sure.

First one, four games, starts this week after our 2-game series concludes vs Houston tonight.

SA, PHX, LAL (b2b), PDX -- I'm hoping we go 3-and-1. Spurs and Blazers obviously, but PHX is on a b2b when they play us.

Then, 5-of-6 at home *(one game away in MEM)* [other teams we play, MIA, MEM again, DAL, IND, UTA] -- DAL MIA IND are the big games.

3 more on the road (Raps, Bucks, Pels) -- Some tough games on the road here, could be a 1W-2L situation.

2 home.. (PHX HOU)

then 5 on the road near the end of the season (NYK, PHL, BOS (b2b), IND, CHA) All Eastern Conference.

The only thing I can say here is that at this point BOS, PHL and CHA might not be looking to move up the table. BOS may have secured #1 by here, PHL may be still hurting from Embiid's absence, and CHA might be gunning for better pick position. Otherwise, this is a tough road trip.


We close out the year with King Spurs Bucks Mavs all at home, games which I expect OKC to field many of our GL'ers if our seeding is secured.

[shakes0]

9pm start tonight, WTF! Hate that crap. Hopefully I can at least make it through the first half before falling asleep.