Stiles Points: OKC Thunder's Chemistry Can Carry Them Through Adversity
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As Chet Holmgren flies through the air for a poster, Aaron Wiggins knocks down his second final frame triple and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander navigates his way to the rim with unbelievable footwork, the real story is often on the sidelines. Tying those highlights together is the hard cut to the bench watching the massive celebrations that ensue led by Jaylin Williams.
From barking to fist bumping, dancing to reenacting, you will only find a bench mob that rivals Oklahoma City's engagement and support when watching some 15-seed directional school tonight in March Madness.
It is just another way in which this team can be described as a college-like squad. Despite being professionals competing for minutes, longing for opportunities to prove themselves and extend their careers, they do not let that get in the way of supporting each other.
Chet Holmgren talked about the importance of having such a tight-knit team with a guanine support system on and off the floor following the Thunder's 119-107 win over the Utah Jazz.
"It is great. Not only the bench, but [the starters] too when those guys get in the game we are cheering for those guys too. Everyone wants to see each other succeed cause we are going through it together," Holmgren said "A lot of times when there is a highlight on the floor, we are all joking about bench reactions from Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander]'s game-winner in Denver, you know shout out Tre [Mann] cheering before the shot went in which is pretty tough. Tonight, obviously there were some cool bench reactions too. It is cool to see them, and it is great to have everybody supporting each other."
Enviably the Thunder will face some adversity in the postseason. With the stakes rising and momentum swings that come with the playoffs, even the squad that is crowned Champions at the end goes through a tight segment. When that adversity strikes, the Thunder will be able to fall back on their strong chemistry to work through it.
That could loom large for Oklahoma City in a volatile Western Conference as we have seen more than a few teams doomed by finger-pointing and unraveling when the lights get bright.
Stiles Points
- Wiggins made a significant impact in the fourth quarter not only helping Oklahoma City buckle down defensively but knocking down a pair of 3-pointers to help launch the Thunder on a run to break the game open in the final quarter.
- Gilgeous-Alexander once again logged 31 points while shooting 54 percent from the floor. This marks the Thunder star's 50th 30-point game of the season.
- Mark Daigneault changed the first five on the floor at half time putting Cason Wallace in the game over Lu Dort to begin the third quarter. The bench boss explained it was a matchup-based decision with Wallace being a better cover for Keyonte George while OKC wanted Dort defending the red-hot Collin Sexton.
- The first fan of the season hit the 20,000 dollar half-court shot as a local High School kid, Cody Hoover, sunk the 47-footer.
Song of the Day: Lean on Me by Bill Withers.
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