Stiles Points: OKC Thunder Have Burst Onto the Scene on and off the Court

The Oklahoma City Thunder have burst onto the scene on and off the court this season with the latest coming in the form of an AT&T commercial.

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. That sentiment rings true in sports especially. Every franchise that goes through a rebuild follows the same formula. 

Bashed for bottoming out, beloved as an up-and-coming young team as analysts and fans attempt to be the first on a bandwagon, then if you are good enough, the bad guys. 

The OKC Thunder are going from a fun story to the bad guys in record time. Once teams start winning, getting attention, especially outside the sports world, it is time for that rollercoaster of emotion to come crashing down Nationally. Suddenly moved to overrated, discussed too much and at best annoying. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder (47-20) are one of the best teams in the NBA sitting atop the Western Conference after battling for a play-in spot this time a year ago. The Thunder used to be tabbed as the "black eye of the sport" during their overblown tank, then became the spunky team with rising stars and is not already starting their descent toward overrated city by the contrarians who rule society. 

During selection Sunday as the Sooners were snubbed, the Thunder took the main stage seeing superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accompanied by rising star Chet Holmgren on an AT&T commercial as the two performed a duet singing the praises of the phone company.  

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren are featured in this AT&T commercial that just aired on CBS during Selection Sunday: pic.twitter.com/pqE5KpFOT9

— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) March 17, 2024

While the two perfom a remix of Christina Aguilera's hit what a girl wants their faces will be plastered all over the screen as March Madness ensues. 

The Thunder have a unique blend of talent and marketability. Not only is Gilgeous-Alexander an MVP candidate but he is objectively a cool and marketable guy as evident by his social media reach, GQ standing and the companies lining up to ink deals with him. 

That marketability extends to Holmgren, as the two are repeat customers on AT&T March Madness campaigns, but also Jalen Williams and the rest of this spunky Thunder squad not affair to share their personality with the world. 

This is yet another way they relate to the first iteration of the Thunder as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were not strangers to the spotlight and ad campaigns. 

The Thunder's National foot print will continue to grow. Which is good for the players, good for the organization and good for the City to earn global recognition yet again. 

Stiles Points:

• OKC Thunder two-way player Olivier Sarr dropped 30 points with 13 rebounds for the OKC Blue as they claimed their sixth straight victory, knocking off the Memphis Hustle. Sarr played one of his best games showing off improved foot work and hands that allowed him to capitalize on clean rolls to the rim. Two areas that have previously held him back. 
• Former Thunder swingman Hamidou Diallo had a 41 point outing for the Captial City Go-Go while also hauling in 12 rebounds. 
• Kyrie Irving nailed one of the most difficult shots you will see at the buzzer to gift the Mavericks a win over the Denver Nuggets. This placed the Thunder atop the Western Conference by a half game while owning the tiebreaker over Denver. 
• Lu Dort has been the best 3-point shooter in the NBA since the All-Star Break (min. 5 attempts per game) shooting 49.3 percent from beyond the arc. This has helped the Thunder click offensively and rack up wins since the break. If Dort is hitting shots from distance he continues to increase his personal value and the Thunder's overall ceiling. 

Song of the Day: Things that would've been helpful to know before the revolution by Father John Misty.

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