Why The Thunder Can’t Be Stopped This Year
Danny Parkins joins Kevin O’Connor to discuss the likelihood of OKC making a run back to the Finals this postseason! With Jalen Williams and the rest of the Thunder finally getting healthy, as well as the addition of Jared McCain to the bunch, the Thunder have gotten to the point where they have virtually no weaknesses. While some believe that the Spurs have a chance to get in their way, Kevin & Danny think the OKC are the bonafide favorites against the field of competitors.
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36 Comments
8:10 buddy, spurs were without Wemby for a good amount of games and are just 3 games back OKC
I'm a homer, so side of salt provided, but the Thunder have their starters, and then a +7 players from the bench, that can go in at anytime and provide "something" of value. That's what happened last year during the playoffs, but the difference was they maybe had 9? This year it's 12, and from a defensive standpoint – take out Dort, insert Cason, take out Cason, insert Caruso, take out Caruso, insert Wiggins or Joe or Mitchel – that alone will wear out the opposing team's backcourt and make them do a gut check in every 4th quarter. The game becomes a marathon run at a sprinter's pace. But really, a potential 12 person rotation in the playoffs is ridiculous.
Ppl just don’t understand how good OKC is and we been barely healthy and barely in rhythm and we still the number 1 seed in the entire NBA. That has to tell you something⚡️
Hopefully Jdub got his 3 point shot back. He can still score but his 3 point shooting has suffered since the wrist injury last year. He will be defending Wembanyama and be well rested for any long series.
Best thumbnail yet
Lu dort, Jdub/Cason/Caruso shooting will stop them easily. Spurs will beat them in a series
The spurs have literally stopped them multiple times this year kevin
The 2nd unit just got a lot tougher to go against… J Will, Caruso, Wallace, McCain, and Mitchell is a pretty damn good 6-10. Not even including Joe and Kenrich…
Thunder win 70+ games this year without the injury bug. Oh well, hopefulky another championship incoming.
What’s crazy is, even as the best team last season, OKC was overrated headed into playoffs. This season, they are underrated heading into playoffs
Go Thunder ⛈️ 🏀 ⚡️🏆
They miss his defense. He can guard 4 shots. And he can get his own shot. If OKC put him up for trade every team would want him. He would start on any team. OKC hasn't been healthy all year and have still won 57 games and right now is the NBA seed in the whole NBA. Spurs are good. I'd be shocked if it's not the conference final.
OKC aint playing this post-season.
I'd be shocked if they lose more than 2 games on their way to the finals.
And i have to say, Danny is partially right.
JDub definitely takes OKC to a new level but i don't think he's needed for OKC to dominate and win another title.
If all this is true how is Shai the MVP?
Flat out, Thank You! 3 straight 1st seed in the West. Heavily injured, including Dub had a torn wrist ligament 3/4 that way through last year that finished most other players season. He played through it. They won least year and earned a championship. And the hate they receive is insane. People really want to anoint San Antonio, Denver, & Minn ahead of them. Not saying they can't lose, that's crazy. But fully healthy this IS a Dynastic roster, they just gotta earn it.
THUNDER 🆙
Reasons OKC is way better than last years team and will win the Finals again:
EXPERIENCE:. They stunk in the playoff last year, and lack of experience clearly got to them. They blew two game 1’s in horrific fashion, and shot a dreadful 30% from three during the playoffs. Yet they STILL WON. They got over that hump and will be much more confident, and comfortable this year.
ADDITIONS: Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain weren’t playing on this team last year in the playoffs. Each brings exactly what the team needed. A guy who can run the offense when SGA sits in Ajay, and another guy who can shoot contested 3’s in McCain. HUGE ADDITIONS. Game Changing additions. (Ajay was sorely missed in those Spurs games & no McCain of course)
INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT: Practically everyone got better. Starting with SGA, he’s taken a huge leap this year with his 3P shooting, and his playmaking especially. He’s even just a lot more efficient overall, shooting 55% from the field, which is ridiculous and 39% from 3, including over 44% on Step Back 3’s. Chet has also leveled up by getting stronger, improving his handle, and being more comfortable getting to his spots. You’ve also seen big improvements from Joe and Wallace, and JWill as well.
THE JDUB FACTOR: JDub played with a torn up wrist and it affected his play dramatically. Mostly his handle and his jumper, which was totally broken in the playoffs. If he’s anything close to what he was before his wrist injury, that is a huge development for OKC.
ONLY RED FLAGS: The one thing I could see throwing wrench into things is Lou Dort. He’s been TERRIBLE on offense this year. Like, the worst offensive player in the NBA kind of terrible. Thankfully, it seems like Marc is comfortable sitting him down if he needs to. Wiggins has also been brutal but he won’t even see the court.
In conclusion, this is the best, most well-rounded, and deepest basketball team this league has probably ever seen. The best defense in league history combined with the best scorer in modern NBA history is a hell of a combo, especially when you put so much offensive talent around your MVP. IF they can stay healthy, it’s a wrap. Back to back and favorites to win again next year.
Agree
Thunder Up!
Danny nailed it! Especially with regard to the value of Dub. ⛈️ 🏀
I love how the spurs don’t get the same treatment that we got last year. WEMBY HASNT PLAYED A DAMN PLAYOFF GAME YET! So after we win the chip now any young team can do it too? Go fuck yourself. These dudes are like the only media guys I’ve heard that have a brain.
No team is beating OKC 4 times in the playoffs.⚡️
OKC has still yet to play one game this year with the entire roster. had they been healthy this season I think they would have made a run at 74 wins even with all the load management they were doing. I dont think most NBA fans (especially the delusional spurs fans) really understand what's coming in this year's playoffs if theyre at 100% strength. They are adding Mitchell and McCain to a championship team and both clearly will make an impact in the postseason so they're going to be better than last year. Shit's about to get real.
Dub looks different
Denver beats spurs. Calling it now
🅱️IG OKC THUNDER UP ⛈️⚡️🏀
If Denver is 100%. They gonna shredd the OKC.
Shai's passing is much better this year as well as shooting the three. Thunder Up!!!
Spurs are beating the Thunder if the Thunder are in the WCF
Why? Because Daryl Morey and Josh Harris are friggin idiots
Shai's my fav player. I honestly think he'll end up with at least 5 chips and 5 FMVPs. The fact that he built himself to this point reminds me of Tom Brady. Shai has all the intangibles: work ethic, leadership, killer instinct, etc. Hell, he even does the pliability workouts like Brady. The most underrated part of his game is that he doesn't rely on athleticism, just pure skill. Which means he can potentially play at an elite level for another 10 years.
The Thunder play the game the right way. If they stay healthy, I see them winning 74 games next season. If they win the title this year, I see a three-peat coming.
They're good and I'm a fan, but I wanna make you will wear something.Since evidently, you have forgotten, they can't be San Antonio Spurs right, got their butt kicked every time.Well, I guess they won one game.I don't think the can get by them if they run across some in the playoffs
Thank you Danny, first sane take I’ve heard a media head make
I wish OKC would just play ball and stop with the foul baiting. They are a great team without flopping and trying to injure the other teams best guys.It's hurting the game, plus the spurs have OKC number no matter what these homers say.
I love these guys but Wiggins and Kenrich won't see the court much after the 1st round.