The Oklahoma City Thunder may be rebuilding, but they seem to be ahead of schedule.
They surprised many by winning 40 games last season and making the play-in tournament, where they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans before losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and some feel they’re a legitimate challenger for one of the Western Conference’s final playoff spots this season.
They are led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, perhaps the most underrated star in the NBA right now, and even though he had a monster 2022-23 season, at age 25, he hasn’t even entered his prime yet.
Danny Green, a three-time NBA champion and former All-Defensive Second Team selection, talked about a time when he tried guarding Gilgeous-Alexander and was forced to realize the Thunder guard is special.
Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the toughest player to guard in the league?
“I had a rude awakening with Shai one time…He’ll give you the big shoulder, stop on a dime, behind the back and his shot is funky so you don’t believe in it, but it’s cash.”
– Danny Green
Via: Run Your… pic.twitter.com/3OD9j4X2et
— Tidal League (@TidalLeague) October 4, 2023
Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander improved his scoring from 24.5 points a game the previous year to 31.4 points a game, which was fourth in the NBA, while also adding 5.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
Even though he is rail-thin at 6-foot-6 and 180 pounds, he is a free throw magnet — he averaged 10.9 free throw attempts last season while making a phenomenal 90.5 percent of them.
The Thunder have a very interesting team, as big man Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, will finally make his debut after missing all of last season with a Lisfranc injury in his foot.
In addition, wing Jalen Williams, who was named to the All-Rookie First Team last season, is thought to have plenty of potential moving forward, while third-year man Josh Giddey is a promising lead guard.
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