Thunder’s Teamwork Approach is Coming to Fruition

Oklahoma City has been one of the NBA’s most surprising teams this season, although the formula to success has been brewing for a handful of years already now. The Thunder’s team-first mentality and hand picked core has been exactly what the franchise needed in a full-on rebuild.

It would be easy for the Thunder to rely solely on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to carry the team. And Oklahoma City would likely be a bottom end playoff team with SGA averaging over 35 points per game. He’s so efficient and doesn’t ever take too many shots, but if he committed to the personal accolades, there’s no doubt he could do it all by himself. But he’s not that player, and the Thunder is not that team.

Mark Daigneault has applauded Gilgeous-Alexander’s selflessness, and ability to let others shine, and we’ve seen examples all season long. For instance, Chet Holmgren drilling a buzzer beater to send the game to overtime against the Warriors early on in the season, or Jalen Williams drilling an isolation jumper against the Trail Blazers to win the game. Gilgeous-Alexander and Daigneault have talked constantly about letting others gain confidence for big moments.

Those big moments are here now, and the stage is set. Oklahoma City has a big time playoff run in front of them, and more than just Gilgeous-Alexander is prepared.

"We've got guys that are incredibly committed,” Daigneault said. “They have teamwork. They want to be a part of the team naturally, like you're not selling them on being a part of the team and they want to be a part of something bigger than themselves."

Thanks to the Thunder’s team first approach, the entire team has bought in. Oklahoma City’s culture is a reason why the group is where they are right now. And it’s just getting started.

The basketball world will get to see the approach on the biggest stage and see that OKC is far more than just Gilgeous-Alexander. And the team is prepared for this moment.

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