The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the youngest teams in the NBA.
Last season, they took a major step forward and improved from 24 wins in 2021 to 40 in 2022.
Now the Thunder are hoping to improve even more this year.
Making the playoffs should be their main goal.
After many years of being bad, the Thunder have capitalized on all of their top draft picks.
Everything they do starts with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
He is one of the best young players in the sport and an elite scorer.
Last year, he made first-team All-NBA and averaged 31.4 points per game.
But the whole Thunder team is looking forward to this year.
And they are aware they will not sneak up on anyone.
Thunder guard Jalen Williams went on JJ Redick’s podcast to discuss the team.
Williams said the team is handling the high expectations by being “a day by day team.”
Jalen Williams on how the Thunder are handling the increased expectations this year pic.twitter.com/1urd7YgAcg
— JJ Redick (@jj_redick) November 1, 2023
Williams also mentioned how he thinks all of their players have a chip on their shoulder.
They are all out looking to prove something.
The Thunder have been an afterthought in the Western Conference ever since Russell Westbrook was traded.
But, this team looks like one that can compete in the West.
Outside of Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren has been someone that everyone wants to see.
He was the second-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
But he missed all of last season with a foot injury.
If the Thunder can stay healthy this year and develop their players, the sky is the limit.
NEXT: Chet Holmgren Responds To Nikola Jokic's Comments About His Physique
