OKC Thunder Still Being Questioned By National Pundits
The Oklahoma City Thunder have turned in a wildly successful season during the 2023-24 campaign. Sitting with a 42-19 record, second place in the West, and winning seven of their last team games, there is no disputing this young Thunder squad has once again superseded expectations.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sits as one of the favorites to win the MVP award, Rising Star Jalen Williams has an argument for the most improved player as one of the most clutch players in the NBA, and Chet Holmgren has played at an All-Star level making a massive impact on both sides.
All of that, to go along with a deep bench, one of the best coaches in the NBA, and owning a top-five offense, defense, and net rating Oklahoma City seems to be one of the best teams in the NBA.
Though, like every team to grace to ever grace the hardwood, they are not perfect. Sure, rebounding is an issue though it creates advantages as well - and yeah, you would rather be a more battle-tested group, but that is where the gripes should stop.
You could make a similar list - or longer! - for every other NBA team. Even the clear best team in the league Boston Celtics can't feel good about some of their clutch-time performances.
Oklahoma City's flaws are more highlighted by National pundits hesitant to buy in on the 2023-24 version of the Thunder. On ESPN's Hoop Collective Podcast, Brian Windhorst, Tim McMahon, and Tim Bontemps raised questions about Oklahoma City following their loss to the Lakers on Monday.
"This is a very concerning thing for the Thunder...They are extraordinarily small," Bontemps added "When these guys play teams with size, they struggle...The fact that game went again the way it did for the Thunder it shows the weakness they have."
McMahon added "It is not just the Lakers as a threat, the Suns are a team [The Thunder could play], now the Thunder went out and got [Bismack] Biyombo off the scrap heap to give them a physical option at center, they went out and got Mike Muscala off the scrap heap to give them a different option at center. So they have made these minor buyout market moves to try to address the depth at center."
While the Thunder are not a perfect team, neither is anyone in the Western Conference, priming this postseason to be one of the most fascinating in recent memory.
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