Stiles Points: What Are the Adjusted Expectations for the OKC Thunder?
On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Orlando Magic on National Television. For the second straight game, the Thunder won 127-113; for the second consecutive game, Jalen Williams scored 30-plus points, and for the 37th time in 54 tries, the Thunder came away victorious.
Sitting a game out of the top seed in the Western Conference at the NBA All-Star Break, it is fair to say the expectations have changed around Oklahoma City. With 28 games to go, the Thunder are just three victories away from matching last season's win total and have a five-game cushion on fifth place.
As the Thunder send Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to start the NBA All-Star game, with Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Chet Holmgren playing in the NBA Rising Stars contest, few people thought they would be this good this fast.
The goal entering this season was potentially cracking the safe six in a tough conference, not spending the entire first half of the season jockeying for first place.
While first place still should not be the expectation, it also should not be a mere sixth slot in the playoff picture. This Thunder team is talented enough and mature enough to nurse this five-game cushion and walk into the postseason with home-court advantage.
Heading into the All-Star break, the Thunder are top-five in the NBA in offensive rating (4th, 119.2), defensive rating (5th, 111.9), and net rating (2nd, 7.3). Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the top names in the MVP conversation, and reinforcements are on the way.
As the Thunder will work in Gordon Hayward and Bismack Biyombo to the rotation in varying capacities, despite being the second youngest roster and already turning in a great season to date, OKC needs to finish strong by solidifying their top-four status.
When the playoffs roll around, the Thunder expectation level will shift again. However, in the second season, it is important not to put the cart before the horse. Even if they handle business post All-Star Break, it is okay just to sit back and enjoy the ride for this groups first ever postseason tour.
Anywhere from a hard fought first-round series, to a surprise conference finals run, would be a satisfactory playoff debut for this bunch.
Stiles Points:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's second half showed again just how elite he is. After a frustrating first half that limited the Thunder superstar to just eight points on 11 shots, a rebound, four assists, two steals, and a block. In the second half, Gilgeous-Alexander broke free for 24 points, two assists, and a rebound while shooting 61 percent from the floor. The in-game adjustment to the aggressive Magic defense showed how playoff-ready the max contract guard is. The ability to flip a switch mid-game is what stacks up to win a playoff series.
- Jalen Williams produced his first two-game stretch, scoring 30-plus points in each tilt. The Sophomore helped carry the load for Oklahoma City during an uncharacteristic Gilgeous-Alexander first half before the two delivered a back-breaking relay race to end the third and start the fourth quarter. As the Kentucky product polished off a brilliant third frame, he passed the baton to the Santa Clara product, who delivered a fourth-quarter knock-out punch.
- Lu Dort always finds a way to play well when the lights come on. Despite his recent cold stretch, Dort has made significant strides this season as a decision-maker, which has led to more efficient play. In this game, while taking on the assignment of Paolo Banchero, Dort went 2-for-4 from beyond the arc, grabbed four boards, dished out as many assists, and swiped a pair of steals on his way to eight points.
- Chet Holmgren deters shots at the rim with the best of them; more than his four blocks, the amount of shots the Magic were forced to simply bail on highlighted on a National stage, a season-long trend for Oklahoma City Holmgren has been a massive part of their early season success.
- Josh Giddey played a more active and engaged role on defense, digging to fill gaps, putting a body on guys to box out, and flying out to shooters in rotation better than he typically has this season. On the offensive end, the Thunder put him in a more active off-ball role, running the floor well, cutting on a lot of possessions, and shooting 65 percent despite going 0-for-3 from 3-point land in this game.
- The Thunder bench unit really pulled their weight in this game, specifically in the first half, as five off the pine registering points, led by Isaiah Joe who chipped in ten.
- As NBA players plan their mid-winter vacations, what is the best destination for a vacation? May I offer up a lovely cottage in Vermont, preferably when it is cold, just cozy up in a cabin with the Grateful Dead blaring, maybe watch an Elvis movie or two, and do what you do. Side note: Best Elvis Movie? Kid Galahad. Though Charro! and Flaming Star are right up there.
Song of the Day: Kokomo by The Beach Boys.
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