The Thunder season has mercifully ended and the the play-in games in the East begin tonight. The fact the Thunder got out-tanked in their finale versus the Clippers does not keep me awake or overly concerned.
The Thunder finished tied with Cleveland for the fourth worst record in the league and I believe a coin toss on May 28th will determine their final rank in Sam Presti’s tank in these final twenty-five games.
The Thunder season for me was a success because they found out Shai could be an All-Star caliber guard in this league while Dort showed he’s going to continue to evolve as a player.
This isn’t going to happen overnight..it’s a process. But I think if Presti can bring two quality guys out of the first round in this draft it’s not crazy talk at all to see the Thunder as a very watchable team next season.
I’m not saying a contender or anything like that, but a group which should be fun to watch compete and grow.
We don’t even know at this point what the Thunder are going to do with Big Al Horford and his contract.
For me… as a guy who watched a ton of Big 12 basketball and college ball in general this past season—the two players in the league who intrigue me the most are Cade Cunningham and Davion Mitchell of the national champion Baylor Bears.
OKC will have their own pick and either the Rockets pick (47.9 chance for the Thunder) or the Miami Heat’s pick at the 18th slot in the first round. Plus, the Thunder have three second round picks.
What I hope to see from Sam Presti are picks which not only make the Thunder incrementally better, but entertaining as well. If I lived in Memphis…I’d certainly go see Ja Morant play in person. To me…OKC is right about where Memphis was at the begining of this season.
I want to see two way players who can defend and shoot the three.
I want see Coach D squeeze as much juice from the pulp out of these young players as possible. That’s an old Eddie Sutton saying. I want to see these guys grow next season into something the city can get behind and support.
I do not want to see tanking next year in Oklahoma City. This is isn’t Philadelphia. This isn’t a Sam Hinkie town though Sam Hinkie went to OU. This is a one major league team market.
Nobody thought Presti would pick either Westbrook or Harden where he picked them in the draft.
Sam Presti…you’re on the clock. Your job is to bring two more quality players to the Thunder from this draft who can be a part of making the team relevant from a competitive standpoint in the next two years.
This is what I believe sustainability should be about.
So…my eyes are closed right now and I’m thinking what would the Thunder look like if they don’t land Cade, but instead have a team with five guards like Shai, Lu, Davion, Theo, and Ty Jerome.
How would that meld?
I’m ready for the NBA Play-In Tournament. This Thunder season is over and in my rear view mirror.