The Western Convention is a gauntlet. No crew has greater than 14 video games remaining, and for 12 groups nonetheless within the combine for a possible playoff or play-in event spot, each matchup issues somewhat bit extra. That isn’t the case for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s squad has already reached historic heights and wrapped up the highest spot within the convention for the second straight season.
However this season is somewhat totally different for the Thunder in comparison with the place they had been a 12 months in the past.
When Oklahoma Metropolis discovered itself because the 1-seed within the West after the 2023-24 common season, this was a younger, inexperienced group that was scratching the floor of their full potential. Gilgeous-Alexander has began coming into his personal as an actual MVP candidate, Chet Holmgren was a “rookie” in his second NBA season, and Jalen Williams turned one of many league’s rising stars.
On high of all this, Mark Daigneault earned the NBA’s Coach of the 12 months honor for main the Thunder to a 57-win season, their most since Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook took this group to the Western Convention Finals in 2014. Even so, inexperience and growth caught as much as the Thunder within the playoffs, as they fell to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, who finally made the NBA Finals.
This can be a new 12 months. Whereas a lot of this roster is identical, the Thunder are usually not the identical crew they had been lower than one year in the past.
Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein have supplied additional management and stability as skilled veterans. Williams earned All-Star honors for the primary time in his profession. Gilgeous-Alexander is effectively on his approach to turning into the third participant in crew historical past to win the MVP award. Most significantly, the Thunder have the very best depth within the NBA and have utilized every of their abilities to make historical past.
Function gamers like Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Jaylin Williams, and Cason Wallace have all made their presence felt all through the season to the purpose the place they’re now simply as revered on the courtroom as Oklahoma Metropolis’s major starters.
Oklahoma Metropolis has no worries proper now heading into the ultimate weeks of the common season. The Thunder are as soon as once more the crew to beat within the West, and so they do not have to fret concerning the ongoing battles all through the standings. Regardless of their opponent, the Thunder shall be able to play, and they don’t care about groups not being scared of them.
In spite of everything, successful speaks volumes, and Oklahoma Metropolis has executed simply that in opposition to each different crew within the league. Though many nonetheless have a look at the Thunder as being an inexperienced and unproven crew, this group has confirmed that they’ve what it takes to run the desk within the Western Convention.
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Thunder’s dominance reigns supreme over Western Convention
Profitable is one factor. Dominating is a totally separate dialog that the Thunder belongs to.
Of Oklahoma Metropolis’s 57 wins this season, 43 of those video games have been double-digit victories. Their 12 losses have been by a mean margin of about 6.9 factors per sport.
In whole, the Thunder have outscored their opponents by roughly 12.8 factors per sport this season, which might go down because the finest level differential in NBA historical past, topping the 12.3 factors per sport mark set by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers. On high of this statistic, the Thunder additionally presently personal the second-best internet ranking of all time at 12.7, trailing the file 13.4 internet ranking set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan.
Need extra numbers about this Thunder crew?
Daigneault’s group is 9-2 in opposition to the 5 finest groups behind them within the league standings, and Oklahoma Metropolis’s solely loss in opposition to an Japanese Convention foe this season got here on Jan. 8 in Cleveland, a crew they may very effectively see once more within the NBA Finals.
The Thunder do not worry anybody. Whereas they’re nonetheless younger and studying, this crew performs like one which has been collectively for a number of years. Though Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league in scoring, they do not completely play via him nor depend on the star guard to all the time paved the way. All through the entire season, the Thunder have been a high 5 crew in offensive effectivity that infrequently turns the ball over.
Every little thing begins with Oklahoma Metropolis’s protection, although. Other than rating first in defensive ranking, groups have averaged simply 107.0 factors per sport in opposition to this crew. Luguentz Dort is a lockdown defender on the perimeter, as is Caruso. Then there’s Hartenstein and Holmgren down low within the paint, continually altering pictures and their opponent’s pondering.
There is no such thing as a straightforward approach to rating in opposition to this crew, and it is equally as exhausting to cease them with Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams bringing the ball up the ground on offense. However via all of this success Oklahoma Metropolis has discovered, the remainder of the West nonetheless doubts them.
No crew feared the Thunder final season after they had been the 1-seed. Even this 12 months, the storylines are nonetheless centered on the surging Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves. The disrespect this crew receives is unfathomable, but they nonetheless thrive with out the highlight as a result of their solely purpose is successful. This crew has executed so many occasions throughout the common season, and so they determine to make a deep playoff push.
So, is there anybody within the West that would probably cease the Thunder, and is there a blueprint to disarming this elite crew?
Apparently sufficient, most of the Thunder’s losses have been telling. The Denver Nuggets gained two of their 4 conferences with Oklahoma Metropolis this season. Golden State gained two of their three conferences. The Dallas Mavericks gained three video games over the Thunder, however this was clearly earlier than the Luka Doncic-Lakers commerce and earlier than Kyrie Irving tore his ACL.
Even the Timberwolves gave the Thunder issues this season, choosing up two wins over Oklahoma Metropolis regardless of Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 35.0 factors per sport in opposition to them of their 4 battles.
Whereas inside presence has favored Denver and Dallas of their matchups with the Thunder, rebounding and protection favored Golden State and Minnesota.
Out of all 4 groups, Oklahoma Metropolis had essentially the most hassle with the Warriors, as Stephen Curry’s crew held the Thunder’s offense to simply 110 factors per sport whereas capturing solely 43.5 % from the ground. This season, the Thunder have averaged 119.8 factors per sport whereas capturing 48.0 % from the ground.
Groups which have the power to vary tempos and create mismatches resulting from smaller, faster lineups that may push the tempo in transition have clearly induced issues at occasions for the Thunder. With this stated, that does not essentially imply the identical script shall be offered within the playoffs, as Oklahoma Metropolis nonetheless discovered success in opposition to every of those 4 opponents and made the required changes to win in opposition to all of them.
With restricted video games remaining within the common season, the Thunder aren’t centered on their schedule or what’s occurring within the Western Convention standings. Whether or not they draw the Timberwolves, LA Clippers, Phoenix Suns, or one other crew within the first spherical, Oklahoma Metropolis understands their mission at hand.
Nevertheless, because the playoffs progress, changes shall be key for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander goes to have the ability to get his numbers on any given night time, however what occurs when groups begin pushing Holmgren out of the paint and trapping Williams from driving to the rim? That’s when questions will come up for the Thunder, as they won’t all the time wish to depend on Isaiah Joe, Luguentz Dort, and different position gamers to bail them out.
Even so, the continuing massacre within the West standings holds area within the minds of Oklahoma Metropolis’s abilities, as they’re solely centered on contending for a title. Regardless of the opponent, they know they’ve what it takes to prevail in a seven-game collection.
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Chet Holmgren: ‘A championship is the plain purpose’
Chet Holmgren and the Thunder are on a mission to seize a championship this season. Other than proudly owning the very best file within the NBA, Oklahoma Metropolis has put themselves subsequent to elite firm, chasing the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ historic internet ranking file.
Because the very begin of the 2024-25 season, the Thunder have been on the high of the Western Convention standings. Now, because the common season wraps up, Holmgren and his crew have turned their consideration to the playoffs. Extra particularly, they’re utilizing every of their remaining video games as challenges to arrange for what they may face within the postseason.
Earlier than the Thunder’s Friday night time sport in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets, Holmgren spoke completely with ClutchPoints about how this group has quickly developed right into a power no different crew has been in a position to break all season, in addition to why outdoors doubt surrounding Oklahoma Metropolis exists.
What has made this season so particular in your opinion and what makes this 12 months’s crew totally different from final 12 months once you all claimed the highest spot within the West standings?
Chet Holmgren: Any alternative to play basketball and get up on daily basis to this being my job makes it particular. Having a extremely good crew, actually good coaches, and a extremely good group behind you provides extra ardour. Then there are clearly the fellows within the locker room on daily basis – we simply actually get pleasure from being with each other. Not all groups have that dynamic, and typically it could possibly take the enjoyable away from the sport. We actually have the very best of each worlds in our group.
How have you ever all been in a position to type such a powerful bond as in the event you, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jalen Williams have been enjoying collectively for over a decade?
Chet Holmgren: It comes down to a couple elements. First, it is understanding that all of us have the identical main purpose in thoughts. Every little thing that we do individually… the aim is to mesh it again in with the collective group to make our crew higher. All of us have an understanding that the higher the crew, the higher it’s for each particular person on the crew. No one is de facto making an attempt to go off on their very own path right here and do their very own factor. All of us feed off each other and thrive off collective success. That’s the reason we’re the place we are actually.
Final 12 months, you and Shai partnered with AT&T for the favored “What a Professional Desires” industrial. Now, you guys are again for one more marketing campaign, this time with Jalen. Inform me about this new industrial. Did you three provide you with this concept?
Chet Holmgren: First off, this can be a nice ongoing partnership with AT&T. It’s not solely myself but additionally Shai and hopefully JDub shifting ahead. Final 12 months, we had that cool section that got here out with the “What a Professional Desires” music that took the web by storm, you can say.
This 12 months, we got here up with one other cool one with Thunderstruck enjoying within the background, for apparent causes. My expertise is just not scriptwriting, so I simply trusted these entrusted with the powers above me to provide you with one thing cool, and so they positively did that. This 12 months’s marketing campaign was enjoyable to movie as a result of we did it in a extremely cool setting in Oklahoma Metropolis. All of it got here collectively very well, and I sit up for persevering with the work with AT&T.
Within the new advert, Shai walks in with the chains, JDub had the sideways hat and excessive socks, and also you had the very best of each worlds with the chain, hat, and also you even added glasses. Who had the very best match right here?
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Chet Holmgren: [Chet laughs] I will say this — I wouldn’t say any of us had the worst match as a result of, you realize, we had been all rocking the identical match with totally different equipment! We seemed fairly fly and classy. AT&T did an excellent job of giving us some fascinating choices to select from on set. We took that after which put our personal particular person twists on it. It positively labored out effectively.
Okay, however the outfits… I imply, you guys are going to bust these out and put on them collectively for one among your playoff matchups, proper?
Chet Holmgren: Nah, I don’t suppose we will double again with the identical match. [Chet smiles] I’ll let you know this: we may have some good ones lined up. When that point comes, we’ll have one thing. Don’t fear!
Talking of the playoffs, you guys are presently 57-12 this season and have an opportunity to interrupt the franchise file for wins. Do you guys take note of all of the data and historical past you’re making each night time, or is it actually simply one other sport for you all?
Chet Holmgren: Truthfully, it’s unavoidable typically. The age we stay in, with all of the media and social media, we see these things on a regular basis. On the finish of the day, it doesn’t actually change our strategy in any approach. All that stuff that pops up throughout the common season is nice, however that’s not what we’re chasing. We aren’t getting higher to solely obtain this. That’s not what we’re getting higher for. We see it and don’t take it as a right as a result of clearly, if it hasn’t been executed earlier than, it’s one thing that’s particular. However we’re extra centered on one thing else.
After video games, regardless of who’s doing a postgame interview, you all are all the time standing there collectively as a crew. Who got here up with this concept initially, and what message do you suppose this sends throughout the league?
Chet Holmgren: I don’t suppose it was one one that began it. I simply bear in mind in my first Summer time League sport, they tried to tug me apart for postgame media. I believe I pulled over Josh [Giddey] and advised them, ‘I’ll solely do it if he joins me.’ Possibly it was proper after that or someday after that, however ultimately, and I don’t actually bear in mind when precisely it began, it became three individuals within the postgame interview.
Then there have been 5 individuals after the following sport. I believe after beating the Sixers on Wednesday, we had the complete crew in it. That is actually particular. We don’t do it to ship any form of message or any of that. It’s extra so simply us genuinely being there for each other. The identical individual is just not all the time doing the interview each night time, so it sort of simply exhibits that we’re all collectively. We aren’t making an attempt to ship any kind of message by doing this. It’s simply what we do.
Shai is clearly within the operating for MVP this season, and plenty of imagine he’ll turn out to be the third participant in Thunder historical past to win this award. Other than his nightly performances, what makes him your crew’s most dear participant?
Chet Holmgren: What everyone sees is the spotlight performs after video games and the insane stats. Past all that, crucial factor that Shai has executed is proceed to belief, particularly in conditions the place guys throw two or three guys to attempt to cease him. I imply, I’ve personally watched him rating on all 5 guys on the opposite crew. He by no means has to go the ball; that’s how good he’s. However he understands the best way to make different individuals round him higher. He simply makes the crew higher.
I believe crucial factor that he’s executed is use his capability and gravity to try this. I believe that, combined in with the stats and highlights and win file and all that, it’s exhausting to not see an MVP case there.
We all the time hear about groups just like the Lakers, Warriors, and Nuggets battling within the West. How come the Thunder aren’t on the forefront of those championship conversations being had within the media though you all don’t lose many video games?
Chet Holmgren: I don’t suppose it issues who says what in these conversations. They’re simply that – conversations. All of this discuss is not any type of actuality in any respect. Opinions and prospects all the time have a tendency to go away out all of the info. There is no such thing as a truth to those statements till the ball is tipped and these video games are performed. No one even is aware of who performs who but. We don’t give attention to it, and we don’t care about it, honestly. We’re so centered on getting higher and getting ready for the playoff conditions that we are going to face.
Do you all nonetheless view yourselves as underdogs and use all of this outdoors doubt as bulletin board materials?
Chet Holmgren: [Chet smirks] These days, I’m positive everyone sees it. I really feel like in the event you want ‘bulletin board’ materials and motivation, then you definitely don’t have sufficient of your personal motivation and drive to achieve success. We’ve got guys on this locker room who’ve quite a bit deeper motivation than what’s being stated on ESPN, podcasts, or no matter. We all know what we will do, and we’re centered on discovering methods to proceed getting higher. We go away it at that.
Why do you imagine that the Thunder can win a championship three months from now in June?
Chet Holmgren: That’s positively a loaded query. There is no such thing as a easy reply as a result of if I may reply that proper now, then we might win a championship, it doesn’t matter what. , we now have a gaggle of men who’ve all of the expertise on the planet. We’ve got a training employees that has each reply to each query that you might have. We positively have all of the motivation you have to get one thing executed on this league.
On the finish of the day, nothing is promised. You are able to do all the pieces proper and have the proper recipe or formulation, and it nonetheless could not work out. We’re going to do no matter it takes to place ourselves in the very best place doable on the finish of the season. A championship is the plain purpose. We’re enjoying to win the final sport of the season. But it surely’s nonetheless much less excited about that and extra give attention to what we have to do immediately and tomorrow with the intention to put ourselves in the very best place for the following day. Our objectives are desires, and to succeed in these desires, we now have to take it at some point, one sport, at a time. No matter it takes.
In case you missed it: Celtics promote for $6.1B
The most important information within the NBA is the sale of the Boston Celtics.
Invoice Chisholm, who’s the managing companion at Symphony Know-how Group, led a gaggle that agreed to buy the Celtics for about $6.1 billion, making this the biggest sale of a franchise in North American sports activities historical past. The final NBA franchise to be bought was the Phoenix Suns firstly of 2023 when Mat Ishbia bought the franchise for $4 billion.
“This course of to purchase the crew began slightly below 50 years in the past once I had my seventh birthday and attended a sport on the outdated Boston Backyard,” Chisholm advised Shams Charania of ESPN in a press release. “I used to be hooked ever since. I have been a rabid fan ever since. I bleed inexperienced. I really like the Celtics. When this chance got here up, I could not go it up. Wyc [Grousbeck] has executed an unbelievable job operating this franchise. So why would you mess that up? The crew is in an excellent place proper now, and I am very delicate to that.
“Wyc, Brad [Stevens] and Joe [Mazzulla] have executed superb jobs and that is all goodness that we wish to proceed.”
After all, the largest query stemming from the sale of the Celtics revolves round their payroll and whether or not this championship-proven roster will be capable of keep collectively. Boston initiatives to have the best payroll in NBA historical past throughout the 2025-26 season. Between whole roster allocations and taxes, their invoice may exceed $500 million in whole.
Jaylen Brown simply signed a five-year, $285 million supermax contract extension that would rise to $304 million. Jayson Tatum additionally has a supermax contract that begins firstly of the 2025-26 season. Derrick White will see his four-year, $118 million contract kick in subsequent season as effectively.
Though this roster is sustainable with such a excessive price ticket, the large query revolves round whether or not Chisholm and the brand new possession group shall be prepared to persistently be the league’s highest-paying crew to maintain the core of this roster in Boston.
With this stated, all that issues to the Celtics as a company is successful. Ought to their new proprietor share this sense, then no value will ever be too excessive to compete for championships.
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