In case anyone was wondering whether the Thunder truly have the goods to win the NBA championship, the Game 1 performance against the Grizzlies should dispel any doubt, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes.
The Thunder tore a path of destruction with their dominating 131-80 victory, showing off their talent, depth, intensity, speed, ball movement and commitment to defend.
We have more on the Thunder:
- The 51-point victory was the fifth largest in NBA postseason history, the Associated Press notes. “We played to our identity,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Nothing more, nothing less than that. We were who we were all year … and it’s going to be the key to our success, just staying true to who we are.”
- Alex Caruso, one of the Thunder’s key offseason acquisitions, is grateful for the opportunity to be on a championship-level team, he told Rylan Stiles of Sports Illustrated. “Yeah, I felt confident from Day 1, just Sam [Presti] saying all the things people have said about me before,” he said. “Just how much he appreciates what I do for the team, winning the little things and how that can rub off on teammates. I know that is a gift of mine, and that is something I really try to push to influence the rest of the team because I know how much value it carries. For sure, them seeking me out and bringing me here goes a long way.” Caruso didn’t take a shot in Game 1 but added four assists and three rebounds in 12 minutes.
- Luguentz Dort isn’t one of the finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year award and Aaron Wiggins calls that “insane,” Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman tweets. “I think it’s insane. I do think there’s a lack of — I don’t wanna say attention to our team, but in terms of the way we played statistically defensively and the year we had, that doesn’t happen without elite defensive players,” Wiggins said. “Lu specifically is the main dude. He guards the best guards, the best wings, and even sometimes the forwards. I’ve watched him for years now not get credit for the work that he does.”
- SGA, one of the finalists for the league’s MVP award, told Lorenzi that he wants to be considered an all-time great but needs to lift his team in the postseason to prove it. “I want to be one of the best basketball players ever when it’s all said and done,” he said. “Like, competitively I want to be, and selfishly I want to be. Those things don’t come without winning. At the root of me, I just like to win. As a kid going to open gym, I wanted to win every game (and) stay on the floor the whole time. When you lose, you come off. Playing soccer growing up, I hated when I lost and had to wait until next week to play again.”
I agree that OKC has no real standout defensive players because the defense is such a high level, compared to Dyson (next to Trae).
Dort was voted among players in some poll as the toughest defender.
Wasn’t Caruso a DPOY candidate or 1st team a couple of years ago. I think they have stand out guys, but the fact no one on the teams takes plays off might make no one particular stand out.
They don’t have to have 1 guy guard the best player the entire game. Caruso can guard Ja a quarter, Dort another, SGA if they needed, Wallace another.
The only reason one could say that there’s no outstanding defenders on the Thunder is because the roster is full of outstanding defenders. One could make a case for SGA, Dort, and Jalen Williams for the All-Defensive teams and if it weren’t for the Player Participation Policy I’d argue that Caruso should be considered as well. Holmgren when healthy is a defensive scheme unto himself. Wallace is an exceptional defender though not quite in the level of his teammates while Wiggins, Joe, Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams are good on that end as well.
They finally get to unleash their full roster. It seems like all season they have rested 2-3 guys at some point. IHart did have a legit injury to start, Chet then had a legit injury, Jalen had the hip strain near the end of the season. But they still gave Wiggins, Joe, Caruso, Wallace nights off at times. Jaylin even had a bit of an injury. Looking forward to this playoff run, not expecting 30+ wins but they should handle the Grizz.
The Clips vs Nugs is going to take a lot out of both teams. OKC should go in with some additional rest.
That game was Grisly…
Hit the like button if you get it. Real 1s get it…