Stiles Points: Are the OKC Thunder Too Young To Make a Deep Postseason Run?
Sitting at 35-15, the Oklahoma City Thunder are among the best teams in the NBA. Currently resting atop the Western Conference standings, many around the NBA are waiting for the other shoe to drop.
With the second-youngest roster in the NBA, the Thunder have been an NBA anomaly. No one expected them to be this good, and throughout NBA history, it is rare to find a team this young to have this much success early on.
That has left many hesitant to officially crown this team as a contender, and some are searching the trade market for the last piece to the experience puzzle.
In the first 50 games, a phrase keeps popping up: "Uncommon maturity" from players to coaches to people outside of the organization. That is how the upstart Thunder is viewed.
They have found ways to win in many different ways. From lights-out shooting to rock fights to flipping switches, their resume is impressive.
To this point, they have found ways to win and problem solve on their own, despite their youth on the court and on the sidelines with Mark Daigneault. When the calendar flips to April, do you just expect them to forget how to play basketball? That would be a rather silly bet.
Sure, the game changes in a playoff series, but the Thunder have proven they can win at a lightning-speed pace or a half-court exclusive game this season. It is still basketball, and it usually comes down to stars in the postseason. Few shine brighter than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. No matter who the Thunder grab at the trade deadline, or how many playoff games that player has, the success of this team will be on the shoulders of Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.
The Thunder may or may not make a deep postseason run, and their youth signifies the long-run way they have to keep trying to find postseason success. But if age is one of the only things holding this Thunder back, I feel confident betting on their uncommon maturity.
Stiles Points:
- The Thunder take on the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, with Josh Giddey looking to build on his best game of the season. If Giddey can stack another successful game on top of Sunday's output against the Raptors, it will be an impressive stretch. With the Jazz having Walker Kessler man the ring, it has been difficult for Giddey to get going against that caliber of shot blockers. However, we will see if a switch was flipped against Toronto.
- With the NBA Trade Deadline nearing on Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder have sent "mixed signals" to other NBA teams. I would be surprised if the Thunder didn't make a single move. The more interesting question is, what is the move? Based on Sam Presti's track record, it seems likely the Thunder will improve their rotation/depth on Thursday.
- With a lengthy injury report for Tuesday's game against the Utah Jazz, Tre Mann has seen his name fall off the report. After missing some games a week ago due to the birth of his child, this will be his first game back as a father. That dad strength might be needed against the Jazz.
- The Oklahoma City Thunder will see Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Chet Holmgren be drafted to their rising stars team; a year ago, Josh Giddey and Williams remained teammates in this event. However, with three players, there will likely be a roster shake-up this go around in Indianapolis. The draft is set for 3 p.m. CT on Feb. 6th.
- The Apple Vision Pro is jumping the shark. VR headsets are fine when they are used as a way to play a few video games, but using them for day-to-day productivity? Wearing it in public all the time because you can also see out of it? It just seems a little pointless at best and scary at worst.
Song of the Day: Total Entertainment Forever, by Father John Misty
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