2024-2025 OKC Thunder Games Thread

[Dadouv47]

I guess we need both of Chet and Jdub to have one of them be consistent 2nd offense kind of option this playoff round and then the rest will need to step up game to game …

I'm not disagreeing that one of them, or someone else, will need to step up a bit in some spots in the playoffs. I just don't see OKC having a lack of scoring options with JDub, Chet, Wiggins and Joe all capable of putting up 20+ on a given night. The team is young enough that I can easily see JDub and Chet both as capable of becoming a fringe #1 scoring option so I don't see a lack of #2 scorer as something OKC is going to address. Presti had plenty of opportunities to get someone like Cam Johnson, but he'd be similar to JDub where he could do it any night, but a lack of consistency would still be there. They probably see Topic as someone who will give them someone else that can be in that mix for a #2/3 scorer type and a great P&R guy.

I just don't see an issue with the top 3 as SGA, JDub and Chet when they are all healthy. With Wiggins, Joe, Cason, Dort and Caruso all capable of picking up the slack on a given night. Even IH can drop 15 in a game. If you want to say their depth is less valuable in the playoffs and they should consolidate some of the deeper depth like Kenrich and Dieng for another player that could come in and spark the offense I'm not going to disagree, but I think the long game is just to keep what they have and maybe dump someone at the bottom of the roster for a rookie and let the team develop. If they get the Philly pick this year it makes for an interesting off-season since they could find someone very good in the 7-9 range, but wouldn't it be wild if that pick ended up being #1 next year?

the pick isn't unprotected next season..it's top 6 or top 4 protected again so best case scenario is still for that pick to convey this season even if the sixers might struggle again next season because of Embiid health.

[Dadouv47]

I just don't want to face the Lakers or the Warriors. Warriors are smart, experienced and I don't like the match up. I also have big refs concerns if we play the Lakers. I hate saying this but don't want to be naive either and we know how much better it would be for the ratings if the lakers with Lebron and Doncic goes to the finals. Finch cried like a baby but he isn't totally wrong...we need Shai to go at the line and we play a very very phyisical defense (which should be a good thing in the POs but if they call everything we are screwed).

Don't get why some thunder reporters are worried about playing the Wolves. They can be competitive against us but they aren't just good enough.

[Kizz Fastfists]

the pick isn't unprotected next season..it's top 6 or top 4 protected again so best case scenario is still for that pick to convey this season even if the sixers might struggle again next season because of Embiid health.

You are correct. It is top 5 in 2026 and 2027. I think I was confusing it with the Miami pick that is lottery protected this year and unprotected next year. Which could be interesting. Another pick that has become interesting with Miami's issues. If it conveys this year it could be at 15 or Miami could end up at the back of the lottery with a expensive roster that won't be very good next year. If all the picks convey this off-season it will make things interesting as OKC will have too many picks given the number of players under contract.

[Mr Thunder Nick]

Brooklyn game : Look at the +/- statistics of the Thunder. Wiggins +26 Caruso +27 Wallace +17 .... Shai -15 Hartenstein -22 Dort -19.
Time to change the starting five. Caruso has to start for Dort. Lu's performances are very poor the last games.

[Dadouv47]

we are not playing very well lately...not sure if some issues with the Chet/Hartenstein line ups or if the team is bored.

I like the fact that we are using Wiggins as a true scorer now and not only a bench player with a small number of shots...could be huge comes playoff time.

[Devilanche]

Brooklyn game : Look at the +/- statistics of the Thunder. Wiggins +26 Caruso +27 Wallace +17 .... Shai -15 Hartenstein -22 Dort -19.
Time to change the starting five. Caruso has to start for Dort. Lu's performances are very poor the last games.

I think the lineup is fine , just adjust their minutes accordingly.
Dort minutes was around 21 , 6th most … Caruso was on 20 mins which I believe the team prefer his minutes around the 20-25 range.

But Ihart on 24 mins is something to monitor for the dual big lineup (around 60 mins between ihart / Chet / Jaylin) which means we play dual big around 1 quarter max . Nets don’t play particularly big as well.

[Dadouv47]

Read on Twitter

[Dadouv47]

I have no clue what will be the best starting/closing line up in the POs but I hope coach D will adjust faster than he did against the Mavs last season (took a while before benching Giddey).

[ThunderBolt]

It’s very unlikely this doesn’t end up being my favorite thunder team of all time.

[slick_watts]

in the six games chet and hartenstein have played together:

both on: +7.4pp100
one on: +13.3pp100

two poor performances against minneosta and of course last night against brooklyn. common thread in these games is high volume three point shooting for opponents, poor rotations and low opponent turnovers. we're actually losing turnovers in the minutes chet and hartenstein share the court.

i'm still opposed to starting this combo, and believe the team would be much better served bringing it in strategically for reserve minutes. you can still get them time together, there's just no reason for us to start them.

[Dadouv47]

in the six games chet and hartenstein have played together:

both on: +7.4pp100
one on: +13.3pp100

two poor performances against minneosta and of course last night against brooklyn. common thread in these games is high volume three point shooting for opponents, poor rotations and low opponent turnovers. we're actually losing turnovers in the minutes chet and hartenstein share the court.

i'm still opposed to starting this combo, and believe the team would be much better served bringing it in strategically for reserve minutes. you can still get them time together, there's just no reason for us to start them.

that was my biggest concern by playing both together. I know some here disagree but I still view Chet as a modern Center even if he can play the 4 depending on match ups.

It's tough to let a guy like Hartenstein on the bench but feels like the best even if it's still a small sample size.

Shai/Hartenstein fit very well so you gotta play Hart when JDub is resting then you can play JDub + Chet when Shai is on the bench.

Glad we are playing the Nuggets and Lakers twice again because those are two of the match ups that I'm most concerned about.

[Devilanche]

Glad we are playing the Nuggets and Lakers twice again because those are two of the match ups that I'm most concerned about.

I want see how the dual big works in that specific matchup .

When the playoff come around and we are playing chet around 32-34mins and ihart around 24-28mins we are looking at still less than 2 quarters where we are playing double big. I doubt Jaylin is playing then.

Not too sure if the data is sufficient or reasonable given that them playing together have come when Chet just came back from injury mostly but wondering how quickly one of them get subbed out in the first quarter.

[Dadouv47]

Glad we are playing the Nuggets and Lakers twice again because those are two of the match ups that I'm most concerned about.

I want see how the dual big works in that specific matchup .

When the playoff come around and we are playing chet around 32-34mins and ihart around 24-28mins we are looking at still less than 2 quarters where we are playing double big. I doubt Jaylin is playing then.

Not too sure if the data is sufficient or reasonable given that them playing together have come when Chet just came back from injury mostly but wondering how quickly one of them get subbed out in the first quarter.

We will see soon enough but I hate the idea of playing both Chet and Hartenstein at the same time against the Lakers while I don't think it's that bad against the Nuggets.

[Dadouv47]

forcing turnovers is one of our biggest strenght so even if the sample is very small, it's already a concern.

[lethalizer]

Glad we are playing the Nuggets and Lakers twice again because those are two of the match ups that I'm most concerned about.

I want see how the dual big works in that specific matchup .

When the playoff come around and we are playing chet around 32-34mins and ihart around 24-28mins we are looking at still less than 2 quarters where we are playing double big. I doubt Jaylin is playing then.

Not too sure if the data is sufficient or reasonable given that them playing together have come when Chet just came back from injury mostly but wondering how quickly one of them get subbed out in the first quarter.

I really, really hope we don't try the double big against the Lakers a whole lot. That **** would be a recipe for disaster.

Against the Nuggets I'm not opposed to it that much as long as Gordon and Jokic are on the court together.

Overall though, I really dislike the double big lineup, as I mentioned already during this thread. It takes away Chet's strength on D, and we basically provide free spacing for the opponents. Hope this doesn't become this year's "Giddey problem".

[Dadouv47]

Read on Twitter

wise decision of course but damn wanted Chet to keep playing well and reach his pre injury level comes playoff time...also a bit concerned about all his injuries.

[Dadouv47]

Jdub impressive on offense right now. where's our defense though?

[Dadouv47]

Read on Twitter

[Dadouv47]

Would love the standings to end like this with LAL/Nuggets at #2 and #3 and GSW 7th. Pretty clean route to WCF.

[Dadouv47]

Lakers giving me 2024 Mavs vibe with elite defense and performing very well in the second half of the season. Think we can handle Luka but him and Lebron isn't easy.

Tough stretch coming for OKC..want to see better defense and Chet playing well. I hope they are just being cautious with Caruso because it's frustrating.