Can a young team win an NBA championship?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มี.ค. 2024
- Are the Oklahoma City too young to win an NBA title? Do they need more experience? This detailed film breakdown and scouting report explores OKC's dominant regular season, their offensive versatility, coaching and more in comparison with other good young teams in NBA history and the youngest NBA title contenders of the 3--point era.
**All ages in the video are weighted by minutes played, based on player ages on February 1st of a given year.
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The stat about their starters having combined less playoff experience than rookie Jayson Tatum is nuts haha
Jason Tatum is still a rookie tho
Yeah Tatum's only 19 😮
CRAZY that he's only 19 year old 😂🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂🤣🤣🤣😂🤣😂😂🤣🤣😂😂😂
@@nbapbaupdate8338too old for Karl Malone
@@jekufo That joke is older than me
As a Thunder fan, I can say that a lot of us aren't concerned with whether they win it this year. They've already more than surpassed our expectations. Unlike most teams, we have several more years of this to look forward to.
so real
Fr honestly i want the clippers to win this year so russ can get a ring
Yeah that's my thoughts on the matter, we just don't know how they will respond in that high pressure moment, most teams will prolly sit on SGA and chet and force the other guys to beat em, I think they can do it, but being so young with so little experience I don't think the odds are that great
With you, but the NBA landscape can change so rapidly. I hope for the Thunder to power through as best they can even in this early window #ThunderUp
Won't be saying that once the playoffs starts unless you're a fake fan.
When they go "small" around Chet, I think the shortest player on the floor is Jalen Williams at 6'5. Every other OKC player on the floor is in the 6'6-6'8 range. In the words of Jalen Rose, "they're not playing small. They're playing perimeter."
Crazy to think that offensively, Chet + 4 "smalls" is a younger version of the 2015-2018 Warriors "death lineup"...but they have an actual shot blocking 7-footer who can stretch the floor! Love watching this OKC team!
I would love to see a video detailing what separates the regular season from the playoffs. I know it’s an intuitive thing we all know but still it’d be a informative watch with your insight.
I agree, I would love this
the regular season is meanigless, the playoffs are meaningful. done
That OKC Team back then is still the biggest What If in NBA HISTORY..
The biggest what if is actually what if I was 6"7 fr
@@buttnuts2599all you’d be able to do is dunk 💀
KD left to ruin his own reputation 😂
@@ndnd7614 kd’s choice of team ruined his reputation but he had to leave, he wasn’t going to win shit with a braindead bricklaying pg who thinks he’s the best player ever to walk to earth
Len bias what if is crazy tho
If any really young team could win a championship while being really young, I'd expect this young OKC team to be able to do with how poised they've been against top tier team's.
A team with major holes are never able to win a championship. No team is perfect. But playoff success always goes to teams with the least fatal weakness
There are 82 game players and 16 win players. I like OKC too, but winning 4 rounds of playoffs are way more dependent on experience than anything they’ve shown this regular season
They kinda remind me of that pistons championship team
@@stolekostov5111 That isn't unique to OKC in the playoffs though. Celtics are one of the best 5 and out teams and their switching from 1~4 helps protect their liability in slow footed defensive big play from Horford/KP. Plus their wings are great against backline support blocking at the rim and rebounding, which are things OKC's wings aren't there yet. Playoff Lakers with AD is efficient on offense and offers a no fly zone defense at the rim supported by the Lakers length with Lebron and their wings. The Warriors in the playoffs have a roster to play stiff defense with the shooting to play a long series. Hell the defending champs may not have the best defensive big on paper but he does enough to be a factor in the playoffs with the rest of the wings/guards being great on switches as well. Plus Murray as the 6'4" point guard with his shooting streaks is as threatening as Curry's scoring outbursts.
OKC has to show they can be tough with rebounding/rim defense that isn't from Chet in a playoff situation against potentially strong veteran match ups. Otherwise I don't think they are winning the Finals this season. They could have a repeat of the 2012 Finals where a young OKC squad also met a buff veteran Heat squad but they were not on the same level at all.
@@elstcman5🎯
It's in theory possible just really really hard and hasn't been done before. The closest a young team got was the Orlando Magic in 1995. Nick Anderson choking on free throws destroyed them mentally though and they weren't the same after game 1 and got swept. Edit: Didn't realize the 77 Blazers had that young of an average age. TIL.
Feel like Orlando never had a chance those free throws are a scapegoat. Much like JR smith’s mistake in 2018.
@@MrDiMES123 I don't think they win either, I can see them winning game 1 if Anderson didn't choke and making it a series. Rockets would still win imo.
Bro forgot about Walton ..
@@Bojonni Bill Walton wasn't the only young guy on the team. He's the only one I remembered lol.
All I know is that we’re headed towards a Denver/Oklahoma series and I’m so ready for it.
As much as I HATE to say it, I have a feeling that a lakers or warriors may beat okc before then.
TWolves and Nuggets are the ones to beat.
@@quantum_beebI doubt it
@@quantum_beeblakers won’t
@@user-xr1xs1zy2zI’d say the nuggets as the defending champions stand alone as the team to beat in the west
The thing is OKC plays like a bench of vets who love basketball and their leader SGA is one of the smoothest poised dogs I've seen.
You are the best basketball TH-cam channel by a mile, honestly. Great analysis, great editing, great music, great everything.
Every young team who eventually won it all/made the finals had to get bounced in the playoffs once or twice. Bulls, lakers, thunder, warriors. It's like a rite of passage!
You’re not wrong. Old heads say “you gotta lose, so you can learn how to win”. That being said, they are really talented. So who knows. Maybe…
08 bulls, 09 thunder, 2013 warriors, 2018 nuggets on top of my head. Definitely interesting to see how far okc will go. Hopefully they become regular playoff contenders
It's not the their age that gives me pause; it's the fact that this is their core's first REAL playoff push. Shai played one playoff series, and the only real notable teammate from then that's still around is Lu Dort. It'd be fine if they got to the 2nd round a bunch of times or if they lost a bunch of times in the 1st round, but that's not the case.
Playoff experience matters. I wouldn't be surprised if OKC lost in the 2nd round this year, and honestly that's ok.
Edit: NVM, I think Shai played in at least one clippers series. I'd count that too, but even with that the entire core is still low on postseason experience.
Plus they will face a tough opponent in the first round: Phoenix, Dallas or Golden State are all nightmares for them
@@maartenvzif those teams are “nightmares” to OKC, OKC must be hell reincarnate to those teams lmao cuz OKC been whooping they ass all season and have far better defensive personnel than all those teams while also having just as good or better offensive personnel as well. OKC is demolishing all 3 of those teams
@@yrnquin1560 So what if they been whoopin' they ass all season long? Playoffs intensity is a whole different game. Cavs fans last season where so comfy against the Celtics potential playoff matchup after doing so well against them in the regular season. They drew the Knicks instead and boy did that Cavs small back court look like absolute chumps. Two teams dialed on each other for 5-7 games is a different competitive vibe than regular season one off games.
@@maartenvzPhoenix, Golden State, and Dallas are the exact 3 teams OKC wants to face lmao. They match up perfectly against all 3 of them. OKC struggles against teams with size and dominant PF/C. Sacramento and The Lakers, the 2 lower seeds you didn’t mention are the 2 that OKC doesn’t want to face😭
OKC is 6-2 vs GSW, DAL, PHX this year
@@maartenvz literally all 3 of those teams are good matchups for OKC.
The trio of SGA, Holmgren and JDub is as good as any other in the NBA and when you have that kind of firepower you've got a chance to win any playoff series. SGA is their leader and that dude ain't gonna be scared once the playoffs start in fact I think he'll even take it up a notch. They've got enough pieces to the puzzle to win a championship right now but Daigneault is going to have to come with some defensive schemes to offset a size disadvantage they'll face. I have confidence he can do it because he's a great coach.
The OKC GM is such a genius...
Isn't that the one that traded harden away ?
@@TheMonjok24Harden was their 6th man he would never become that good if he stayed in OKC
@@TheMonjok24harden is soft a f. Dissapears in playoffs. It was a great move
Playoff defense are just different. they allow more physicality. let's see how well these young teams handle them.
meeting the same team over and over in 4 to 7 games. they will scout tendencies and take away comfort zones where experience definitely helps.
Teams have to adjust to them too, their top 5 on defense.
@@rickeymickeyii4166 we will see. I mean i wouldnt be surprised if they lose in the first round to a more veteran team.
I think they'll be alright
New thinking basketball brings me so much joy. Every time
Love your analysis as always, Ben- we would love a Wemby vs. Chet pt 3 breakdown 👍👍👍😅
Sam Presti is a top 5 GM of all time. He is a genius.
Great vid, cant wait for the playoffs
That Williams pass at 4:08 is amazing. The ball looks like it's on a rail.
ahh yes my favorite nba breakdown youtuber
Better watch out for OKC. Like any team. They’ve got to stay healthy at the right time. But so many great pieces on this team 🎉❤
7:42 Ppl sleep hard on Bill Walton.
The blazers ran the whole offense through Bill. He was Jokic-esqe with the ball
I mean that young Blazers squad with MVP level Bill Walton was exceptional enough to chase a chip. I just don't see the Thunder being more convincing outside of sentiment to break the trend for this playoffs.
Jokic is Walton-esque
@@t4d0WBro, what? For that statement, OKC is winning it all
Yes. Historically, when the waters get deep, young talent fold. It normally takes 2-3 trips deep into the playoffs (Finals, Conf Finals) until you get a ring.
Great video. I don’t think they can win it all, but your 2011 thunder comp got me thinking that Sam Presti’s specialty is building teams that are way too good, way too fast for it to turn into extended championship runs 🥴
Already know this will be another banger
Jalen Williams, Chet, SGA, are all just hyper efficient. They are all like above 62% true shooting. All their players have surprising good/mature shoot selection, despite being young. When a team has so many hyper efficient scorers, it simply would always be championship contender, no matter how young they are.
Hyper efficiency is alright in the regular season. But playoff intensity and match ups can complicate those efficiency numbers and then it purely comes down to 'can the player make a basket on demand under more difficult conditions'. I can see it for SGA but I can't say the same for Chet (playing his first year) or Jalen Williams in his 2nd year.
@@t4d0WThey are still hyper efficient 😂
Wow amazing video
If they win it all this year, it'd be a big statement for their team. They're just too young to bet on for me though with their #2 and #3 guys not even having 2 full seasons of experience.
I hope they make the conf finals at least. A tough loss and some internal development could turn them into a powerhouse begore you know it.
Most underrated part is yeah these dudes are young but then have experience playing with each other Joe dort giddey shai Aaron Wiggins and kenrich Williams been with OKC for a lil minute now they got chemistry more than anything
just remember; the okc thunder still have like three potentially top 5 picks coming in the next couple drafts; PLUS the thunder will have cap space available. this team might have TOO many assets very soon.
I think down the road they’ll package Giddey, the rotation guys for like a nice haul again and solidify the roster around SGA, Chet, Dub, J-Will & And Dort
I love that our playstyle as a franchise has always exemplified Thunder ⚡ ⚡ the calling card of Thunder ball is defense turning into offense
"Not old enough? Nah it'll be fine" - Josh Giddey
beat me to it lol
Broooo💀💀💀💀
Bruuuuuh!!!!😂😂😂
"Age is just a number"
All this and not a mention of Cason Wallace and Dort, I mean this team is absolutely stacked
Aaron Wiggins too, the best kept secret in the NBA and the savior of basketball
@@KarmaxRAnd Joe
this got me so hyped haha
i hope we see more talent than ever instead of dynasties
This team definitely can become a dynasty. A homegrown dynasty.
The funniest bit of this is seeing SGA in that interview around 8:50 with both of the J-Williamses behind him. It's a bit like watching the World's Most Subdued Ric Flair cut a promo in front of the other Four Horsemen.
It's a common occurrence with them, it's like every post-game interview they do it together. The chemistry is nuts with this team
What I got out of this is that this is an exciting team to watch out for this playoff season
Next year they can and they are loaded with so many draft picks. The future is bright at OKC imo
This year has been INCREDIBLE for us, OKC fans. Coach Mike has developed a winning culture in such a short period of time and the chemistry is perfect between our players, giving their 100% every game. Can’t wait to see what SGA and Co. have in store for us in the future!
#ThunderUp
Coach Mike?
Mark?
Great breakdown, it's so ironic that OKC's best comparison is themselves a decade ago. However, they're much better positioned now to grow organically than the KD/Russ/Harden trio that just bloomed too early, it'll be interesting to see if they can shore up the frontcourt and start building a dynasty, they are so well-balanced
I forget who I heard it from but it was something to the effect of "just cause it ain't been done, doesn't mean it can't be done."
Excited to see them in the playoffs this year. It will take a lot of poise to win against an experienced team though.
I forgot what Jokic but he did say something about this Thunder team I think he was saying they were gonna be good
Love the thunder vids
It's rarely happens but thunder got 2 squads in short times accomplish this, damn
One underrated part of shai’s scoring is the consistency. 75% of his games are at least 30 points but his median is 32, and all of his non outlier games are 24 pts or above. That means he is almost gareeted to score at least 24 more than any other player.
Honestly I'd really like to see how defenses try contain him in the playoffs which would hold a better barometer whether he has a 6th gear to his bag. People I think overrated Harden as a scorer with his regular season numbers but come playoff time, he was scoring about the same or less as his regular season numbers against stiffer defenses. At the same time part of SGAs growth as a playoff scorer will come if he can get there in the coming years. I saw it with Jayson Tatum and he was fortunate to be in a conference and roster where he could get to the playoffs more often and grow from those situations.
@@t4d0W yeah his scoring will almost certainly go down with the stricter whistle but he can still put up dominant numbers
@@BzBuck On the contrary my idea isn't that SGAs scoring will go down because of a stricter whistle in the playoffs. Especially with his herky-jerky style of getting at the rim and being physical that way. As well with already blending a mid-range jumper to go with that. Can he get difficult buckets especially when the pace slows down and can he exploit other matchups that accomplished playoff scorers are known to do. That will come with experience and losses.
@@t4d0W I don't think a drop would be significant, its just that most players numbers drop unless their minutes also rise a lot
Can you do a video why Shai/Chet doesn't lead to more dunks//layups for Chet or anyone else. I get the 5 out opens the paint, but would be nice to get chet some easy baskets. The Chet/SGA lob connection would get Chet some easy baskets not all Jump shots off pick and roll. Love your videos keep up the great videos and analysis.
The biggest X factor here is coach Mark Daignault he has played some funky lineups and im sure he has figured out whats best come playoff time he’s actually a basketball genius super underrated coach
I am a Celtics fan but I have watched a lot of OKC games this year because I like the team they have put other there. Despite the youth and inexperience, they do play with a quiet confidence and sneak up and surpass teams as the game goes along. They eerily have a lot of polish and poise out there and I would not count them out. I expect a deep run at least based on what I have seen.
i think that this is not about age, but about playoffs experience
they need experience. ive been a denver fan for awhile and people always harped on them for being a young inexperienced team (before chip win) yet they were one of the most battle-tested young teams in the league with multiple deep series vs dame blazers, pg+kawhi clips, etc.
The OKC seems has a good starter and a good bench. The bench is even good which is also essential. Any okc player that is traded to another team will be valuable. I think OKC is doing a good job developing their players. The coach keep sending players to the g- league, some players seemed to be upset about that (Poku), but their coach Mark also seems to have a vision just like their GM Sam Presti has a vision. I am supportive of their moves even if they seem unconventional because I want to see where it leads to.
As games get much more physical in playoffs, I do have some concerns on players like Chet and Josh as how well they can handle those
I honestly wanna see a GS or Lakers vs OKC 1st round match up, old stars vs the upcoming ones
Warriors vs OKC sounds dope
OKC vs Lakers would be a very close series. I think OKC sweeps GSW though, maybe Steph steals them a game. GSW is the perfect opponent for OKC because of their lack of backcourt size.
Can you guys make a video about the Portland Trailbalzers and how they can build a team around Scoot Henderson? tks
it’s crazy how Victor Webanyama needs ANOTHER video deservingly
Experience is golden. This stands true. We saw how the Boston Celtics folded against the GSW. They were the clear favorite with elite offense and defense. They had experienced players, just without NBA finals experience. This OKC team might make it to the conference or even the NBA finals, but their lack of experience will show
Agree same with wolves
I don't think the Celtics were clear favorites because they had serious flaws despite being the 2nd best defense in the playoffs. Warriors with their shooting and experience had more in the bag to adjust if the Celtics found ways around the gameplan. The other point being the Celtics never really found a way to hide their weaknesses on exploited mismatches. Whether it was sticking hard on Tatum when he had the ball at the perimeter to cut off his attack at the rim. Or having Klay or other wing defenders test Jaylen Brown's handle going left. Or seeing how the other Celtic players try contribute when the jumpers aren't wet.
As a wolves fan I respect what okc is doing and have no hate towards okc but i do wanna mention that the series is tied between us. But if you look at majority of the clips from this video okc is pretty deadly in transition but how well they play in the playoffs when the game is a lot slower and more physical? I think it would be a good series and could possibly good 7 games 💯
It depends on how quickly they adapt to playoff intensity. They're a historic regular season team for their age, but they don't know how the intensity and physicality of the playoffs will hit them nor how teams will gameplan for them over a 7 game series. They have the talent to get far or even win, but talent isn't enough to win you championships.
I think they should give up Giddey's extension as they must release some of their players with potential. SGA-Second Guard that can shoot defense and score a bit off the dribble-lu dort-jalen williams and Chet of course.
Definitely chance to make NBA history for a young team to win the ship it would be the second greatest run to a championship in history behind Hakeem’s rockets winning from the 6 th seed young teams never win it all I not a fan but would love to see history made
I think people overestimate how much it matters with this team, I don't expect to win it all or even make it to the wcf but I can't see a team being this good and losing super easily
Playoffs are no joke. And experience plays a hugeeee role. Which is why the warriors are so dangerous even if they barely make playoffs
Yes they have serious talent
that bird clip was nasty
The thunder back when they had Durant Russ and harden I thought was the best chance a young team had to win it all. I’ll still believe that until I see otherwise imo.
Ain’t no way bro said the phrase “slippery penetration” 💀💀💀
and length LOL
How do you get those visuals in the beginning ????
Listen I think regardless of what happens the Thunder have built the perfect that as we get experience in the postseason we will eventually be a force 4-5 years down the line
OKC takes on the characteristics of its best player in SGA and is therefore POISED. I trust this team a lot more than other young teams like the Timberwolves although they virtually have the same records as of this writing. I also think Mark Daigneault is a top 5 coach in the NBA. They may not win it all this year because you must first fail before you succeed and experience matters in the playoffs but they have as good a chance of winning the title as anyone in the league moving forward. This team is for REAL.
Playoff coaching IMO is better measured come playoff time and even the best have shown it in the past. Eric Spoelstra has been overachieving with his Heat group given the talent and absolutely coach well against guys like Brad Stevens, Nick Nurse, Doc Rivers, Mike Budenholzer and such in the playoffs. We'll see what Mark Daigneault is made of when he has to factor lineup adjustments in a 7 game elimination environment.
@@t4d0W Point well taken. I've watched a lot of their games and I've been impressed by Mark Daigneault. Spo and Kerr are top 2 IMO though.
The matters will be like if they are not dominating the entire game, how good they are playing in uncomfortable and pressured moments.
Also, I kind of think that time spent building up your body is necessary, endurance wise as well as strength wise. Being young is great but it's a long way to June, and they've never walked it before.
yes but overrelying on dorth and giddy particularly their shot variance from deep to have reliable team offence cause we know SGA 30 is inevitable so is jdub 20 and chet 18 will be their achilles heel in the playoffs where coaches key in on matchups thats an nightmare unless both dorth and giddey shoot 40% in the series from 3
Just GLOSSING over Chet ahooting 40 from 3 is wild
It's really not about whether they are "too young" but rather that they have glaring, flashing weaknesses.
Can you prevent AD or Jokic or Sabonis or Looney or Gobert from averaging 7 offensive rebounds per game? Can Jalen Williams slow down big wings like Luka Doncic or Kevin Durant or LeBron James in the playoffs? Can you punish the Clippers or Phoenix if they play 5 smalls? How TF are you gonna guard Jokic exactly?
All that is before you get to the fact that, yes, their games have never been tested in the crucible of the playoffs.
They remind me a lot of the 15 Hawks, 23 Kings, 22 Grizzlies, the 19 and 20 Bucks, etc. Teams that are very good at exploiting the regular season low hanging fruit because of strategic advantages but the margins shrink in the spring and the game becomes about shot making/manufacturing offense (where they should be fine) and rebounding (where they are the weakest team in the field).
OKC ain’t worried, we’re here to stay
@@Mr.ByrnesStay in Cancun.
Absolutely. Just not this year's Thunder; too small and don't cover for it in any notable way.
what is the background beat called? It aint the one he put up
I think they could make a deep run to the West Finals, but it depends on matchups. If they see the Lakers in the 1sr round they might go home early. If they see GS they would win in 6 games maybe 7. We have to see tho, Shai is an animal and let’s see if it translates to the playoffs
i think OKC has a better shot at a chip this year then LA, Warriors, Suns....etc. i think the only true challenge will come when they play against Denver in the second round. i would probably put them 4th best odds behind Boston, Denver and Clippers to win a ring.
If the 2011 Thunder could do it, I don’t see why not. They just need to prove it in the Playoffs just like that Thunder team nearly did
They dont have a 7 feet DemiGod rn
Thankfully this time they're not being spearheaded by 3 ball hogs
@@genikhairav7662 and they dont meed one.
@@shutupMajiKD is literally the most malleable superstar itl lol He's the opposite of a ball hog
@@shutupMaji6th man somehow a spearheading ball hog ? Unless you mean Jeff green lol
Youth won't be the reason if they don't make it to wcf. It would be size and strength down low, and Josh Giddey inability to shoot consistently would hold them back most.
Did you watch the video?
@lemonthoughts31 Yes, I'm not responding to the creator of the video, but one of the hypothetical questions asked in it
@TrePrince just no dude chet has them spring loaded ankles and literally he's packing on muscle plus idk who cares about Josh giddey shooting while he can pass and shoot ft yknow if Ben Simmons woulda shot fts well there would've been no issue right? Well why does his 3pt % matter all 4 other starters can shoot the 3 and he can make fts so this doesn't really matter
@kNaild Josh Giddeys 3 point deficiency is enough to cost you a series. He likely won't play much in the playoffs because it's such a big deal. They won't be able to beat Minnesota or Denver, for that matter. I get what they are trying to do and applaud them for trying it and sticking to it. Benching Giddey is easy, but they do actually need size to win I'm the playoffs. I wish they traded two future firsts for Caruso and Drummond for a change of pace Center and match up option
@@kNaild The difference with a 'prime' Simmons is he was 6'10" 230 and was athletic enough to get at the rim to draw contact. You could leave him on an island at the perimeter but ideally you can still have players screen for him so he can rim run. Giddey doesn't offer that same driving pressure so you can effectively leave him on an island unless he takes on a mismatch. So yeah it does matter because its mattered before in the playoffs with players having limited skillsets. Chet is packing on muscle but he's still a young guy to established giants lurking in the playoffs like AD, Jokic, Domas and Gobert. You just don't see that as an issue in the regular season because he doesn't see those guys often enough in high stakes games.
OKC need experience this season in playoffs at this coming off-season Sam Prestie need pursue Lauri Markkannen 😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤
Can you make a video about Michael Jordan’s left hand
Teams like this are vulnerable to size. Even open 3s aren't as efficient as dunks.
As a lifelong Nuggets fan, OKC is the team that scares me the most. They've had our number. I don't care how young they are, they are really good. SGA is going to be MVP good.
It makes it a lot harder, but not impossible
Yo Ben I love your work and basketball in general. I'd love to talk to you about collaborating talking mainly basketball but also food around the cities in the nba. I know it would he a different type of video for both of us but let me know if you're interested
4:38 Biggest pause of my life
You can’t know who these players and this coach are until they get tested by the playoffs. Maybe Shai is Jimmy Butler and takes it up another level, maybe he is James Harden and gives you some 3-16 with three boards and six turnover games. Maybe their coach cannot adjust on the fly in the playoffs.
Yes, inexperience has a downside too. But six other teams will tend to play tight because they all have championship expectations and were put together to get rings this season. Denver are the champs and they will play with the confidence of champs, and then OKC pretty much feels like they get a free swing at this. No one is going to tell OKC they should have done better, unless they get swept in the first round, and that isn’t going to happen.
It is a classic in sports, the young upstart coming in all happy to be there and relaxed, and that being relaxed taking them a long way.
Not counting on OKC to beat Denver in a series, but I give them a decent chance of doing it and would not be surprised.
Maybe shai is shai and he's already in the class of those players and you sound kinda dumb because Jimmy isn't even on the level of shai anymore you should also consider shai has already been in the playoffs he's not new to the playoffs
Champ expectations come with that experience AND knowledge of playoff strategies. Free swinging is nice but unless it stops Jokic from doing what he does best and Murray having a mini-nuclear reactor of a series along the Nuggets covering everyone outside of SGA going 30+ points, its the Nuggets series to win in that scenario. Which is why experience plays a role in having a squad that can make a championship push because outside of having someone exceptional to match up against those other playoff teams, young cats just don't have the execution and cohesion to make those key adjustments. Coaching also comes into play because the best (and experienced) ones know which lineups to stick to at the right times and (for the most part) whip up consistent ATO offenses.
Maybe in the bubble playoffs they could because the fan pressure is mitigated.
OKC is literally a 2k Generated superteam if you simulated 9 years in, and it felt weird cause there was no storyline, just 30ppg rookies
Mabye
Imo, it's not about your age per se, but your playoff experience before breaking thru. Both the '15 warriors and last years nuggets had playoff experience and failures before breaking thru.
Yup!
The pace. The turnovers they force. I feel that the NBA title is won by defending at an elite level, and most importantly, not depending on mistakes of your opponent to score the basketball. Force a lot of bad shots, and then run your offensive machine to generate better looks. Blocks and steals are empty calories, you want low FG% percentage. Young teams tend to want to outrun their problems, but the one thing a good offensive team can do is slow the pace down and force a team to execute in the halfcourt. The things they are running from will be the things that must be done to win Game 5 and beyond.
What don't they do well? And can they work it out in two weeks? Curious.
No matter what happens I’m proud of this team. Everyone saying 1st RD exit must forget that this young core shouldn’t even be where they are😤⚡️
Lmao 1st round exit is crazy, that's just a bunch of people that don't watch half of the teams in each conference, the thunder is truly once again one of the most dangerous teams and our squad only gets crazier over time
Don't you mean a "stroking Joe"? 😂😂 5:36
Not that regular seasons mean nothing anymore but they definitely need to be taken with a grain of salt way more in the last 10 years. A lot of good teams in the past have shown they don’t take regular seasons that seriously and the effort isn’t consistent. So a team like OKC that is young , plays hard and has pretty much no injuries this year isn’t going to have the same advantage in the playoffs if everyone they play is healthy and definitely playing their hardest not to mention game planning with adjustments for a 7 game series .
But also it’s not that this Thunder team is too young it’s that they have no playoff experience together.. the 2015 Warriors that was their 3rd playoff appearance together, the 2012 Thunder 3rd year as well and were in the Conference finals the year before, 1995 Magic only 2nd year in the playoffs but Shaq was a top 5 talent of all time and Penny then as the 2nd option was about as good as Shai is now.
So is it possible? Sure I guess
But am I betting on them ? Definitely not. Making it to the conference finals would be exceeding my expectations but I see it as 50/50 basically,
Making it out of the 1st round and go 6-7 games in round 2 is my expectation.
This playoff is the chance for Giddey to prove his spot on the team
He's stacked a few great games together in a row now. Body language is different, he's smiling more. It's hard to imagine what he went through... but maybe he's finally over it and picking up steam before the playoffs.