CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 13: Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a basket by ... [+] Kenrich Williams #34 against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center on January 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesAs NBA All-Star Weekend is set to take place in Salt Lake City in the coming weeks, the Oklahoma City Thunder are beginning to put together a cast of representatives.
There’s already two Thunder players that have secured a spot in NBA All-Star 2023, with upwards of two more that could be invited to specific events.
On Tuesday afternoon, the NBA announced the official rosters for the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars event. This is the league's annual showcase for young talent and potential future All-Stars, with 28 rookies, sophomores and G League players competing on Friday, Feb. 17.
Oklahoma City will be represented by rookie Jalen Williams and sophomore Josh Giddey as part of this 28-man roster.
Giddey has played in 45 games (all starts) this season, producing 16.1 points 8.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists per contest. Among sophomores, he ranks second in assists, third in rebounds and fourth in points this season.
Despite being a rookie, Williams has emerged as one of the top players on the Thunder roster while averaging 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game through 46 appearances (33 starts). Among rookies he ranks second in steals, fourth in assists and fifth in points while being one of the the most efficient from the floor.
This marks the second Rising Stars event for Giddey, as he and Williams are the 12th and 13th players in Thunder history to earn these honors.
While the format has changed throughout the years, some iteration of this event has been a staple of NBA All-Star weekend dating back to 1994.
This particular event will function similar to the way it did last year, with a three-game mini-tournament among four teams. The 21 NBA players, selected by NBA assistant coaches, will be drafted onto three seven-player teams.
The seven NBA G League players, selected by the NBA league office, will comprise the fourth team.
To select the 21 NBA player participants, each team across the league submitted a rookie ballot and sophomore ballot featuring four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players of any position, in order of preference. Coaches were not allowed to vote for any player on their own team.
These talented young teams will be coached by former NBA legends Jason Terry, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Deron Williams. Terry will coach the G League team, while the other three coaches will draft their seven-player NBA rosters.
All three games will be played to a Final Target Score, which means the game will end on a made basket or free throw rather than time expiring.
Outside of Williams and Giddey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is almost a lock for the premier event of the weekend, the 72nd NBA All-Star Game.
The superstar guard is averaging 30.9 points, 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest while shooting 51% from the floor, 36.8% from deep and 90.8% from the line. Simply put, he’s been spectacular on both ends of the floor.
While he arguably should have been a starter in the event, which was voted on by fans, players and the media, he ultimately will have to make it in as a reserve.
The reserves will be revealed Thursday, Feb. 2 with seven players being named in each conference. Two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players at any position will make the cut, with all of these athletes being selected by NBA head coaches.
With Gilgeous-Alexander seemingly being a lock to make the team as a reserve, that means the Thunder should have at least three members of the roster in Salt Lake City participating.
There’s still hope for a fourth, with sharpshooter Isaiah Joe having a legitimate case to be invited to the 2023 PepsiCo 3-Point Contest.
In Joe’s first season with Oklahoma City, he’s been one of the best 3-point shooters in the entire NBA. Among volume shooters that attempt at least four triples per game, he ranks fourth in efficiency at 44.3% from deep.
Regardless of what happens with Joe, the Thunder’s talented roster is being rewarded for an outstanding start to the season. They’re firmly in the playoff race despite being projected to finish the season near the bottom of the standings.
Nick Crain, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholascrain/2023/01/31/oklahoma-city-to-be-well-represented-at-nba-all-star-weekend/
By: Nick Crain, Contributor
Title: Oklahoma City To Be Well Represented At NBA All-Star Weekend
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/nicholascrain/2023/01/31/oklahoma-city-to-be-well-represented-at-nba-all-star-weekend/
Published Date: 02-01-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NBA player is the best defender?
If you are familiar with basketball, it is not surprising to see "The Dream", at number one on this list. Hakeem Olajuwon blocked 3,830 shot during his 18-year NBA playing career. This number is higher than any other player in NBA history. He was also an All Defensive and 2-time DPOY player, helping his team win two NBA Championships. He was a great defender. His footwork, timing, and athleticism made him a good shot blocker as well as a rebounder. He was an opponent's nightmare because of his ability to defend any position on the court. He was also an offensive player, and he was a formidable opponent. He was an extraordinary player with incredible agility and quickness. His deadly spin moves allowed him scoring in the post. His versatility meant that he was one of the most skilled players and even defenders. Hakeem Olajuwon is undoubtedly a worthy leader on this list.
Bill Russell barely makes #2 on this list due to his average of 15.1 ppg, but he was the best defender during his era and gave opposing teams nightmares. With 11 NBA Championships under his belt throughout his career, as well as having the highest defensive win shares in NBA history at 133.64, it's safe to say that Bill Russell is one of the greats. His rebounding and defensive skills were crucial to the Boston Celtics' remarkable success. He is often considered the greatest defender in NBA history because of his ability to predict plays and understand the strategies of opponents.
This is the third place list, with Dennis Rodman. He was one of the unique players in the history of the NBA and always made an impact when he played. Rodman was a tough defender, rebounder, and did not need the ball to score. This allowed Rodman to be an effective player, which enabled him to win many games. Dennis Rodman was a 7th-time Rebounding Champion, 8th-time All Defensive Players, 2nd-time DPOY, 5th-time NBA Champion and 2-time All Defensive Player. His perseverance on defense was unmatched. He seemed to always be in the right spot at exactly the right moment. He was also a skilled rebounder. He would often out-jump taller players, and take their boards away.
Which NBA star is currently the most dominant scorer?
This question is subjective because different players play different ways that make them successful and unique. Kevin Durant and LeBron James are some of the most popular options for NBA's top scorer.
Kevin Durant is more than a shooting star. He's also an offensive powerhouse! With two NBA Championships and 2 Finals MVPs under his belt and a regular season MVP title, this player has some serious game.
What is a restricted agent free in NBA?
A restricted free agent in the NBA is a player who has completed their rookie contract and becomes an unrestricted free agent whose rights are still held by their previous team. The team can match any offer sheet that another team makes to the player in this situation. If they decide to do so, the player will remain with their former team and must honor their existing contract. This allows teams the opportunity to retain valuable players, even though they may not be able pay them due to their salary cap. Restricted free agents can be a valuable type of free agent, which allows teams to have greater flexibility when building their rosters.
What is a trade exception within the NBA?
The NBA offers a trade exception, which allows teams to trade away a player. This exception allows teams and players to be acquired whose salaries are greater than the ones they trade away. This exception can be used multiple times by a team and does not affect their salary cap. Trade exceptions allow teams to change their rosters and not have to reduce their salaries. This allows teams to maintain a level playing field and prevent unfair financial advantage situations.
It also helps keep the league financially stable and ensures that teams have the flexibility to make moves without having to worry about being able to afford them. Trade exceptions are an important part of the NBA's roster construction and can be used by teams to compete for championships.
What is a buyout?
A buyout agreement in the NBA is between a club and a player. In this agreement, the team agrees to pay part or all of the remaining contract amount the player was entitled to receive. This allows players to become free agents and sign with any other team in the league as soon as their buyout is complete. The league allows teams to change their roster composition or reduce their salaries during the season.
Statistics
- 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)
- Meanwhile, the opening night rosters include a record-setting 234 players with some G League experience, according to the NBA ( Twitter link ). (hoopsrumors.com)
- 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
bleacherreport.com
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
si.com
nba.com
How To
When an NBA player is injured, are they paid?
NBA players with guaranteed contracts are entitled to their entire salary, even if they are disabled or injured. Some have even earned millions without even 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. Players with non-guaranteed contracts will not usually receive any payment until they become healthy enough to return to the NBA. The NBA can provide some assistance with disability payments or a lump sum settlement for those who qualify, but there is no guarantee of 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 really depends on each person and the team's circumstances. Some players might be able negotiate a buyout with the teams in order to receive money for their absence due to injury. The league and the team cannot guarantee payment for injuries, but players need to be aware that they can help. Each case is different, and each should be treated as such. 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. If you have any questions, it is important to speak with a professional.
