Here's a STAT: OKC related

[The-Power]

Outside shooting streakiness is the one thing that I could see holding them back a bit at times. But even that is not more of a concern than it is for most teams in the league. In terms of overall defense, coaching and shot creation OKC is scary (and fun as hell). I'm rooting for them.

[BlzMwt]

I literally said when he got both that the Thunder are the most complete roster in basketball on both ends. Not saying this because I’m some genius, but more that I’m surprised so many didn’t realize the holes those two addressed. They needed another big, especially a physical one who can mix it up on both ends in the paint and pass (Harteinstein is an offensive hub by himself), and another POA defending wing/guard. They got both.

As predicted by yours truly. But wait until you see Hartenstein. Even bigger pickup than Caruso, and better player.

I usually enjoy and appreciate your takes and views on the Thunder (along with their mods). I'm a fan of OKC and want them to do well and it's nice to get details from someone who obviously watches them when I don't have the time.

But just saying, your "I told you so" can seem a bit attention seeking and off putting. You started a thread recently and titled it "I've been saying for years". It may possibly lead others from having good discussion with you.

To the point of the thread... the defense is a small sample size of course. But even if it isn't sustained at this level I think it could be a great indicator for the future of how well they could lock down in a playoff series or how elite they could be for years to come.

[Karate Diop]

37 steals, 30 blocks, 60 turnovers forced in 3 games.

Seems like trading mid Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso and removing washed Gordon Hayward from the rotation has created a super defensive juggernaut. Trae was in handcuffs against a second year guard in Cason Wallace tonight. No wonder these NBA stars don't want hand checking to make a comeback.

Hand checking hurts OKC more than it helps them... Shai would be in shambles without the Trae type fouls he routinely gets...

[OkcSinceSGA]

I literally said when he got both that the Thunder are the most complete roster in basketball on both ends. Not saying this because I’m some genius, but more that I’m surprised so many didn’t realize the holes those two addressed. They needed another big, especially a physical one who can mix it up on both ends in the paint and pass (Harteinstein is an offensive hub by himself), and another POA defending wing/guard. They got both.

As predicted by yours truly. But wait until you see Hartenstein. Even bigger pickup than Caruso, and better player.

I usually enjoy and appreciate your takes and views on the Thunder (along with their mods). I'm a fan of OKC and want them to do well and it's nice to get details from someone who obviously watches them when I don't have the time.

But just saying, your "I told you so" can seem a bit attention seeking and off putting. You started a thread recently and titled it "I've been saying for years". It may possibly lead others from having good discussion with you.

To the point of the thread... the defense is a small sample size of course. But even if it isn't sustained at this level I think it could be a great indicator for the future of how well they could lock down in a playoff series or how elite they could be for years to come.

I’m competitive. I’m controversial. I’ve been here LONG and been told constantly all of my takes are wrong, crazy etc. I’ve dealt with a ton of abuse over the years from the same trolls and baiters. It may be petty but it feels good to force people to eat crow here and there. If you read some of my old threads on this topic, I was literally clowned mercilessly for my predictions (OKC being a superpower team within 2 years, SGA’s ascendance etc).

So it may come across counterproductive, but sometimes I just want to mess around .

[Zeus LA]

While I think the iHart move was an absolute home run in terms of need, I'm less enthusiastic about the Caruso addition even though he is a fantastic role player and asset to any team. OKC already had probably the best point of attack defense in the nba between Dort/Wallace, with 3 other excellent starter level defenders in SGA, JDub and Chet.

In my opinion, Giddey needed to be traded for the benefit of both parties, however OKC are now pretty thin in the playmaking department and have next to no playmaking outside of SGA and JDub (Wiggins has potential, but is more of a finisher type). Perhaps Topic is the answer once he makes it onto the court, but that won't be this season.

[Jaqua92]

Between Caruso and I Hart, Presti might have finally leanred how to put the finishing touches on a roster.

I literally said when he got both that the Thunder are the most complete roster in basketball on both ends. Not saying this because I’m some genius, but more that I’m surprised so many didn’t realize the holes those two addressed. They needed another big, especially a physical one who can mix it up on both ends in the paint and pass (Harteinstein is an offensive hub by himself), and another POA defending wing/guard. They got both.

Cason Wallace is another guy I hyped a lot last season. He’s a beast. Gonna be in the league a long time.

Because they aren't.

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[Patches Perry]

While I think the iHart move was an absolute home run in terms of need, I'm less enthusiastic about the Caruso addition even though he is a fantastic role player and asset to any team. OKC already had probably the best point of attack defense in the nba between Dort/Wallace, with 3 other excellent starter level defenders in SGA, JDub and Chet.

In my opinion, Giddey needed to be traded for the benefit of both parties, however OKC are now pretty thin in the playmaking department and have next to no playmaking outside of SGA and JDub (Wiggins has potential, but is more of a finisher type). Perhaps Topic is the answer once he makes it onto the court, but that won't be this season.

In addition to either Shai or Dub on the court at all times, they've got two pretty good playmaking bigs in Chet and iHeart. They've also got A'jay Mitchell as a playmaker waiting in the wings and he has looked promising if minutes every become available.

[vxmike]

While I think the iHart move was an absolute home run in terms of need, I'm less enthusiastic about the Caruso addition even though he is a fantastic role player and asset to any team. OKC already had probably the best point of attack defense in the nba between Dort/Wallace, with 3 other excellent starter level defenders in SGA, JDub and Chet.

In my opinion, Giddey needed to be traded for the benefit of both parties, however OKC are now pretty thin in the playmaking department and have next to no playmaking outside of SGA and JDub (Wiggins has potential, but is more of a finisher type). Perhaps Topic is the answer once he makes it onto the court, but that won't be this season.

Caruso is the best wing/guard defender in the league. Dude can check PGs up through decent sized forwards. He’s the guy you want in the playoffs guarding opponents best guard or SF.

My guess is OKC isn’t done making moves. Presti still hadn’t dipped into his pick haul and that’s frightening for the rest of the league.

[Ritzo]

I had Wemby winning the DPOY this season but I guess their bad record will be a factor again. Looks like Chet is a good bet to win it.

[cupcakesnake]

While I think the iHart move was an absolute home run in terms of need, I'm less enthusiastic about the Caruso addition even though he is a fantastic role player and asset to any team. OKC already had probably the best point of attack defense in the nba between Dort/Wallace, with 3 other excellent starter level defenders in SGA, JDub and Chet.

In my opinion, Giddey needed to be traded for the benefit of both parties, however OKC are now pretty thin in the playmaking department and have next to no playmaking outside of SGA and JDub (Wiggins has potential, but is more of a finisher type). Perhaps Topic is the answer once he makes it onto the court, but that won't be this season.

In addition to either Shai or Dub on the court at all times, they've got two pretty good playmaking bigs in Chet and iHeart. They've also got A'jay Mitchell as a playmaker waiting in the wings and he has looked promising if minutes every become available.

Agreed there is absolutely no playmaking deficit in OKC. The roster is filled to the brim with plus playmakers. Caruso is a very nice passer in his own right, and better suited to the "connective passer" role that OKC needed Giddey to play. They drafted the best passer in the draft class in Nikola Topic. Even giving most of Giddey's on-ball reps to J.Dub is going to be big for their playoff offense.

To address Zeus LA's defensive point: Caruso isn't just a point of attack defender. He's arguably the best help defender at the guard position (Suggs and D.White are the only guys who are close, imo). The guy is a legit secondary rim protector as a guard (2.9 blocks per 100 so far this year) and so disruptive and clever on all kinds of help actions.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Chuck Everett]

37 steals, 30 blocks, 60 turnovers forced in 3 games.

Seems like trading mid Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso and removing washed Gordon Hayward from the rotation has created a super defensive juggernaut. Trae was in handcuffs against a second year guard in Cason Wallace tonight. No wonder these NBA stars don't want hand checking to make a comeback.

The signs were there back in October. Kudos to them for making some elite offenses look like complete garbage, night in and night out.

It's not hindsight to say this, but the Thunder have four guys who have first team All-NBA defensive potential in: Caruso, J-Dub, Chet and Dort. I want to say that's unheard of. Next season (2025-26), they're going to be a menace again.

[falcolombardi]

37 steals, 30 blocks, 60 turnovers forced in 3 games.

Seems like trading mid Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso and removing washed Gordon Hayward from the rotation has created a super defensive juggernaut. Trae was in handcuffs against a second year guard in Cason Wallace tonight. No wonder these NBA stars don't want hand checking to make a comeback.

The signs were there back in October. Kudos to them for making some elite offenses look like complete garbage, night in and night out.

It's not hindsight to say this, but the Thunder have four guys who have first team All-NBA defensive potential in: Caruso, J-Dub, Chet and Dort. I want to say that's unheard of. Next season (2025-26), they're going to be a menace again.

4 legit all nba Defense players + 2 fringe ones in cason and harstentein + shai who is comfortably above average in D at minimum despite his offensive load