Long before the start of the season, analysts and fans alike predicted the Oklahoma City Thunder to have another season with a bottom-five — or even bottom-three — record.
They’re a young team with plenty of talent, but they didn’t look anywhere near close to actual playoff contention right now, especially without second-overall pick Chet Holmgren on the floor.
Fast forward to today, and the young Thunder have been a firm candidate for a playoff — or at least play-in — spot throughout the whole season, even beating contending teams and excelling in close games.
That’s why NBA analyst Keith Smith believes Thunder coach Mark Daigenault should get plenty of votes for Coach of the Year, as they’ve been the team to exceed most of the expectations thus far this year.
No shortage of good candidates this season, and I don't want to take credit away from the Thunder players, but Mark Daigneault needs to be way up there for Coach of the Year, right?
No one expected that team to even sniff .500 and here we are. Tremendous job by all involved.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 23, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing like a legit superstar, and Steve Ballmer might regret letting him go to land Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
He’s been a master in the clutch, an outstanding backcourt defender, and one of the most unstoppable scorers in the league.
Josh Giddey has struggled defensively, but Luguentz Dort is always there to have his back and get a stop.
Still, the second-year guard has been elite at setting the table for his teammates, not to mention his much-improved scoring ability and impressive rebounding skills.
Add Holmgren and any top-notch prospect with any of those 19 first-round picks they have to this roster, and the young Thunder might be on to something very, very special way sooner than most of us expected.
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