CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 13: Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Jalen Williams (8) reacts after a NBA game ... [+] between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls on January 13, 2023 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesNearly 70% into the 2022-23 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are playing their best basketball and are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Despite being the youngest roster in the league, they’ve put together a record of 22-23 to this point and sit at ninth in the Western Conference.
It’s all above improvement and playing your best basketball at the right time, which has been the case for Oklahoma City since the turn of the calendar year. In the month of January, the Thunder are 7-2 with the NBA’s best bet rating (+12.4) and quickly climbing the standings.
Since the start of 2023, Oklahoma City has shot 40.4% from deep while dishing out 27.8 assists per game. The Thunder offense is as efficient as it’s been in years, with the team producing 124.2 points per game and 121.7 per 100 possessions.
While this recent stretch of games has been the peak of Oklahoma City’s 2022-23 campaign, the season as a whole has also been extremely impressive.
When looking at the Thunder through all 55 games this season, they boast a top 20 offense, top 10 defense and top 12 net rating. They’ve gotten contributions from the top to the bottom of the roster, as the depth and talent of the second youngest team in the history of the league has shined bright. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as a star while Josh Giddey, Lu Dort and Jalen Williams compliment him in the starting lineup perfectly.
This 22-23 record means Oklahoma City would make the play-in tournament if the season ended today, but is also half a game out of the sixth seed in the West which would guarantee a spot in the playoffs.
There’s reason for optimism moving forward for this Thunder team. There shouldn’t be expectations that they’ll be as productive as they have been since the start of the month, but the collective body of work this season would suggest they’re good enough to maintain a spot in the postseason race the rest of the way.
Furthermore, Oklahoma City has the easiest remaining schedule in the NBA the rest of the season, according to Tankathon and several other models. While this doesn’t guarantee the Thunder will have success, as every team around the league has the talent to be competitive on any given night, it is promising.
The 27 remaining games this season for the Thunder will be against teams with a cumulative record under .500 to this point in the season. This includes several games against the bottom teams in the league, with three contests against the Houston Rockets as well as the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets each once.
Additionally, OKC has already played the majority of its back-to-backs and three games in four nights scenarios. The rest of the way, there should be adequate rest for the team. There will also be a good amount of home games, with the season’s longest road trips already out of the way for the Thunder.
The roster will also continue to get more healthy as the season goes on. The Thunder have been without key frontcourt pieces in Aleksej Pokusevski, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Ousmane Dieng for several weeks now. As they make their way back onto the court, Oklahoma City’s lack of height will be somewhat offset.
It’s unclear exactly how sustainable the Thunder’s play of late has been, but all signs point towards them having a path forward towards making at least the play-in tournament. Oklahoma City’s next five games will be some of the toughest the rest of the way, so a successful stretch over the next week and a half could only further solidify that happening.
Nick Crain, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholascrain/2023/01/19/okc-thunder-have-clear-path-to-postseason/
By: Nick Crain, Contributor
Title: OKC Thunder Have Clear Path To Postseason
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/nicholascrain/2023/01/19/okc-thunder-have-clear-path-to-postseason/
Published Date: 01-20-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best free throw shooter of all time?
Many basketball fans disagree on the answer, but many agree that Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors' best free-throw shoter, is the most outstanding. With 402. This remarkable player is the record holder for the most 3-point conversions in one season.
Karl Malone holds the record for making the most free throws in a single career with 9,787 of them succeeding. At 13,188 attempts, he has attempted 74.20% of all free throws.
Which NBA star is the most dominant scorer in the league now?
This question is subjective because different players play different ways that make them successful and unique. Kevin Durant (LeBron James), Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Stephen Curry are the top choices for most dominant scorers in the NBA.
Kevin Durant is not just a shooting star, he's an all-around offensive machine! This player is an elite player, having won two NBA Championships as well 2 Finals MVPs. He also holds the regular season MVP title.
What does NBA mean by waived?
Waived in the NBA means that a team has officially removed a player from its roster. This can happen for many reasons including salary cap issues or disciplinary action. After a player has been waived, they are an unrestricted-free agent who can sign with any league team. They are not eligible for the postseason if they are waived after March 1.
Who invented basketball
The exact origins of basketball are unknown, but it is widely believed that James Naismith created the game in 1891 while he was a teacher at the International Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Training School (now Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts. Naismith established the basics of the game and then nailed a basket with peaches onto an elevated track. He formed nine teams from his 18-member class and began to teach them the basics. Original version included a soccer ball and two baskets of peaches attached to each end of a gymnasium. The goaltending was not allowed. Players could only shoot at a basket from below. The game spread rapidly across America. In the early 1900s, professional basketball teams were playing in large arenas. It is today one of the most loved sports in the world.
What is the NBA Draft?
The NBA Draft is an annual tournament in which eligible players are selected by teams. It takes place every June and consists of two rounds, each team getting one pick per round. The order of the draft will be determined by the teams' records from previous seasons. The worst team receiving the first and best picks respectively. Teams can choose college or international players between the ages of 19 and 19. This is an essential event for teams as it allows them to acquire a new talent and build their rosters. It offers the opportunity for players from other leagues or colleges to play in the NBA.
Who holds the record for most career playoff wins in the NBA?
LeBron is one of today's most sought-after basketball stars, having won an incredible 174 NBA Playoffs wins and played 266 games.
How long does it take to become an NBA superstar?
To be a professional NBA star you need to put in a lot of effort and time. Becoming an NBA star requires years of hard work, physical conditioning, and skill development. On average, players spend three to five more years in college developing their skills before they make it to the draft. Once drafted, players have to be able to perform in the NBA, get a starting position on their team, and win MVP awards or All-Star teams. This requires more coaching and professional guidance from trainers and coaches. Ultimately, becoming an NBA superstar is not something that happens overnight or within a few short years. It takes dedication, commitment, and time to reach such accolades. Anybody can become a NBA superstar if they have the right mindset and determination.
Statistics
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20 percent of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
twitter.com
- Tweet / Twitter
- Sam Amico on Twitter: "Timberwolves Waive PJ Dozier, CJ Elleby and AJ Lawson - Hoops Wire https://t.co/xKu1ZTuQZN" / Twitter
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
sbnation.com
nba.com
How To
When an NBA player is injured, are they paid?
NBA players with guaranteed contracts receive their money in full even when injured and unable to play-- some have even made millions without playing a game. Although they might lose out on bonuses and their contract could be cancelled after expiration, they will still receive the full amount. However, players on non-guaranteed agreements will not be paid until they can play again in the NBA. Although the NBA can offer some assistance, such as a lump sum settlement or disability payments, it is not guaranteed that players will receive any pay during an injury absence. Additional assistance may be offered by the league or teams on a case-by–case basis.
Teams can also provide some assistance through the Injury Disability Plan. It depends on the individual's and team's situation. In certain cases, players might be able to reach an agreement with their teams to buyout their team to help them get money in the event of their injury. It is important for players to realize that payment can't be guaranteed if an injury occurs. However, the league or the team may be able to provide some assistance. Each situation should be considered as an individual. The NBA has comprehensive rules about injuries and payments for injury absences. Understanding these rules can help players reach agreements with their teams or make informed financial decisions about their financial security. For any questions or concerns, it is important that you consult a professional.
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