THE Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder The Crimson Devils will enter the 2024-25 season as severe title contenders. Having completed as high seed final yr, they’re within the early levels of a championship window.
Considered one of OKC’s two large offseason additions was Isaiah HartensteinThe 26-year-old was kidnapped from the The New York Knicks with a bloated three-year contract. He ought to put a Band-Help on the Thunder’s dimension and rebounding points. They’ve gone from having no large backups to arguably the most effective within the league.
To organize for the 2024-25 season, Thunder wire We’ll checklist three predictions for the Thunder’s 17 gamers. Listed here are three predictions for Hartenstein:
Hartenstein Creates Buzz on Sixth Man
There was a debate between Hartenstein and Alex Caruso on who will get the fifth beginning spot. Likelihood is it will likely be the latter. Caruso is a neater alternative and a one-for-one substitute for Josh GiddeyThat does not imply Hartenstein will not begin. The seven-footer is a useful weapon in opposition to large forwards just like the Nuggets And Lakers. However he’ll come off the bench for probably the most half. The 26-year-old ought to have a productive season in opposition to second-tier gamers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Or Jalen Williams Hartenstein ought to all the time be on the courtroom, which provides Hartenstein an elite pick-and-roll companion to group up with. He ought to dominate and rack up stats, which ought to assist construct a case for Sixth Man of the 12 months. The award is usually given to scoring guards, however often an enormous man wins it.
Double large formations are successful
This formation is probably the most anticipated by Thunder followers. After having registered zero conventional pivots with out Chet Holmgren Within the final two years, OKC has caught the most important fish obtainable this summer time. Hartenstein had a breakout season final yr with the Knicks. After Mitchell Robinson He was lower, however he was a decent starter. That earned him an enormous sack from OKC. Holmgren was spectacular all through the playoffs, however the Thunder suffered when he wasn’t on the ground. Hartenstein ought to stop that from occurring. When the 2 are on the ground collectively, the Thunder have a powerful case for having two of the most effective paint protectors on the ground. The Nuggets or Lakers aren’t going to intimidate OKC inside anymore. The Hartenstein-Holmgren ahead line additionally opens up prospects on offense. Holmgren has talked about it earlier than, however now he can totally step into the function of ball-handler on the perimeter. It is a scary thought for the opposition.
Discuss of 3-point capturing is only a smokescreen
Since his arrival, Hartenstein’s outdoors shot has grow to be a speaking level. He hopes to reinstate his outdoors shot into his program. He shot 27 of 87 (31 p.c) from three-point vary in his profession, however eradicated the shot final season when he tried simply three makes an attempt. Given OKC’s five-and-out offense, some are hoping he’ll deliver it again into his repertoire. There’s some skepticism about that. Positive, perhaps he can try extra three-pointers this season. However the variety of makes an attempt will most likely be nearer to inconsequential than all of the sudden changing into an enormous participant. Until he is averaging an try or extra per sport, all of this discuss has been nonsense. It is a kind of issues that needs to be seen to be believed.
This text was initially printed on OKC Thunder Wire: 3 Predictions for Isaiah Hartenstein for the 2024-25 Season