As the NBA’s biggest surprise in the 2023-24 season, the only thing the Oklahoma City Thunder want to take from last season is the lessons from the playoff loss.
57 wins are spectacular, sure. And, yes, becoming the youngest No. 1 seed ever is a shining milestone. But for a Thunder team with limitless potential, it is all about an accelerated path to winning an NBA championship.
The Blue and Orange enter the 2024-25 season as the talk of basketball. They are a team that virtually everyone is describing as the league’s next hot shot and a legitimate title threat for years to come.
But the Thunder realize that their biggest hopes and aspirations hinge on the continued growth of their core stars. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has reached superstar status after consecutive seasons of scoring a high mark in the MVP race and averaging more than 30 points per game. But do OKC’s chances rest in SGA’s hands?
Up for a large challenge?
According to what we have seen historically in the NBA, having star talent has directly correlated with winning championships. Oklahoma City appears to be on that path with its countless emerging stars who can become even more than what their ceiling suggests.
But the hottest spotlight is on Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgen, a pair of classmates who are fighting it out to hold the title as the second-best player on the team. Not that it really matters, but it’s an individual incentive that can drive them to be the best they can be. And in the end, it will only raise the Thunder’s chances.
Even if one of the two were to take a serious step forward this season, it would technically be enough to get OKC to the NBA Finals, especially after what we watched a season ago. But the question is: Which player’s immediate rise has the most impact on the Thunder?
“Those offensive struggles were a big part of why they [the Thunder] didn’t win that series and ultimately advance in the playoffs,” says ESPN’s Tim Bontempts of J-Dubs’ performance against the Dallas Mavericks in last season’s Semi-Finals. “If he can make strides there and in that moment next spring and deliver in moments like that, that very well can be the difference between them winning the title and making the finals or losing in the second round again. He is gonna be one of the important people in the whole league this season.”
In an otherwise brilliant sophomore season, Williams’ 2023-24 season was marred in some eyes because of his notable offensive struggles against the eventual Western Conference champions. The analyst does make a point when considering that a strong showing from Jalen in this season’s postseason can tip the scales.
The postseason is a change of pace from the regular season. Without a definitive second scoring option, it increases the burden on the best player’s shoulders. This is because defenses can game plan against him, especially in a six- or seven-game series, when figuring out your opponents' tendencies becomes easier.
No. 8’s ability to create shots and consistently knock them down can arguably be as good as SGA's down the line. But to help maximize his team’s chances in 2024-24, the 23-year-old must aim to increase his scoring output to the mid-20s this season and be the go-to guy down the stretch to prepare him for a strong postseason run.
Related: J-Dub suggests SGA is locking in on his 3-pointers ahead of the season
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