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The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the season with zero expectations. After trading away Paul George and Russell Westbrook in the off-season, everyone just assumed they would suck. I know I did, and you’re lying if you say that you expected this. 35 year old Chris Paul was supposed to be washed, and the Thunder were supposed to be tanking. As you already know, that didn’t happen, and I can guarantee you that no one wants to see OKC in the playoffs.
Oklahoma City Thunder Roster
The Thunder don’t have any superstars, but everyone on their squad gets the job done. Chris Paul has been a great facilitator and mentor to the young players on the Thunder. Not to mention, he’s been statistically the most clutch player in the entire NBA. He’s been as reliable for OKC as State Farm is for Chris Paul. Like a good point guard, Chris Paul is there. Especially when they need him most.
Dennis Schröder has also played a huge role in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s success. As sixth man for the Thunder, Schröder has been a consistent and reliable scoring option every time he’s on the floor. He’s as quick as lightning, and when he’s hot, his stat sheet fills up just as quick.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been one of the most underrated NBA this year. Playing with Chris Paul has done wonders for his game, as SGA has improved in every facet of his game from his rookie to sophomore year. He can make plays for the others on his team, he can get buckets around the rim and with his jumper, and he plays solid defense.
Steven Adams and Danilo Gallinari have been holding it down in the frontcourt for OKC. Adams does so much that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. He sets bone-crushing screens that knock the souls out of his victims, and he always plays tough interior defense. Gallinari has once again this year been a consistent source of shooting and scoring, something no team can have too much of.
The Schedule
The Oklahoma City Thunder will play eight games before the playoffs to finalize the seeding.
They begin their schedule with the Utah Jazz who will be without Bojan Bogdanović due to injury. This game could go either way. It’ll be interesting to see if Gobert will be able to shut down the Thunder like he shut down the NBA.
OKC will have to be at the top of their game to win the next two as they take on two of the top teams in the West, the Nuggets and the Lakers. However, their schedule gets a bit easier as they play Memphis, Washington, and Phoenix. But then, OKC’s emotional roller coaster of a schedule turns tough again, as they face the four seed in the East Miami Heat, and Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers.
Prediction
The question isn’t will the Thunder make the playoffs, it’s what seed will the Thunder get in the playoffs?
If the Thunder play well, there is a legitimate chance they can get the fourth seed in the West as the Jazz are only one game ahead and won’t have Bogdanović.
I expect the Oklahoma City Thunder to finish the eight game schedule either 4-4, or 5-3. They have a relatively difficult schedule, but they have a nice mix of young talent and experience will help them win closely contested games.
The Thunder will most likely finish up as the fourth or fifth seed, and that in itself will be a successful season for OKC.
