Oklahoma City Thunder 2022-23 Season

[Laramie]

Gotta give it up to SGA, he is building the confidence of the players around him. Good solid 'win' over a depleted Rockets' squad.

Thunder ambushed the Rockets 133-96.

[Laramie]

REMINDER:

Thursday, February 23, 2023 Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz
Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 8:00 P.M.

.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Thunder 119 @ Utah Jazz 120 - OT

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401469047

Attendance: 18,206

[Laramie]

Friday, February 24, 2023
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Phoenix Suns
Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
ESPN & Bally Sports Oklahoma, 9:00 P.M. - ESPN

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Thunder 115 @ Phoenix Suns 124

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401469054

Attendance: 17,071

[Laramie]

Sunday, February 26, 2023
Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Paycom Center, OKC
Bally Sports Oklahoma,6:00 P.M.

[Laramie]

Sacramento Kings 124 @ Oklahoma City Thunder 115

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401469070

Attendance: 15,147

[Laramie]

Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Paycom Center, OKC
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 7:00 P.M.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Thunder have 22 games remaining on their schedule. Thunder's record is 28 wins & 32 losses.

[bombermwc]

I was told, come here to dispute my comment on another thread that Presti has helped ruin the Thunder.

So tell me how if we're still 13th out of 15 in the west...been sitting at the bottom for years, that we're not doing poorly. When was the last time we saw a playoff birth? It all fell apart after he started trading off the talent, which is now at the top of the NBA all over the league. We're not getting some amazing draft picks that are doing wonders (his strategy). It's not panning out

When we do have a "big win", it's mostly around the other teams that are struggling. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to keep cheering for them because I'm not just a fair weather fan. It's just frustrating to see someone that seems to operate in the shadows with more power than the coach (who gets to be the scapegoat) and yet, he's still there calling the shots, not getting us anywhere.

[BoulderSooner]

I was told, come here to dispute my comment on another thread that Presti has helped ruin the Thunder.

So tell me how if we're still 13th out of 15 in the west...been sitting at the bottom for years, that we're not doing poorly. When was the last time we saw a playoff birth? It all fell apart after he started trading off the talent, which is now at the top of the NBA all over the league. We're not getting some amazing draft picks that are doing wonders (his strategy). It's not panning out

When we do have a "big win", it's mostly around the other teams that are struggling. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to keep cheering for them because I'm not just a fair weather fan. It's just frustrating to see someone that seems to operate in the shadows with more power than the coach (who gets to be the scapegoat) and yet, he's still there calling the shots, not getting us anywhere.

years?? 2 whole years?? and not getting great talent??

also 4-14 in the west are all bunched 4 games separating all of them

maybe this discussion is not for you?

[king183]

years?? 2 whole years?? and not getting great talent??

also 4-14 in the west are all bunched 4 games separating all of them

maybe this discussion is not for you?

Yep. I’ve learned to disregard comments about Presti like the one by Bomber because I’ve found people who make that argument typically do not understand how the NBA works, and no matter how logically you explain why they are mistaken, they will never change their mind. It’s a tell that they don’t really watch the Thunder or the NBA. Which is fine, of course. Anyone who knows how the NBA works (i.e., the salary cap, the luxury tax, the trade mechanisms, the draft lottery, big vs. small market, talent evaluation, etc.), understands we are witnessing a near miracle for how quickly OKC is returning to the playoffs and has constructed a talented roster.

[catcherinthewry]

I was told, come here to dispute my comment on another thread that Presti has helped ruin the Thunder.

So tell me how if we're still 13th out of 15 in the west...been sitting at the bottom for years, that we're not doing poorly. When was the last time we saw a playoff birth? It all fell apart after he started trading off the talent, which is now at the top of the NBA all over the league. We're not getting some amazing draft picks that are doing wonders (his strategy). It's not panning out

When we do have a "big win", it's mostly around the other teams that are struggling. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to keep cheering for them because I'm not just a fair weather fan. It's just frustrating to see someone that seems to operate in the shadows with more power than the coach (who gets to be the scapegoat) and yet, he's still there calling the shots, not getting us anywhere.

Here's what you said in the other thread:

"The Thunder certainly decided that they dont want to spend what it takes to stay up there but think they're making plenty of money the way they are. I'd just assume fire Mr Presti for what he's done to us. But if they're happy from a business model, then they probably aren't going to be going anywhere either....and have a lot less drama/stress to deal with not having so many high talent folks on the team."

This is not Presti's plan at all. He wants to build a title contender and is not content with just making the playoffs most years. Here are some quotes from his exit interview last year.

When asked about his long-term future with the franchise, Presti said that he is laser focused on building the team back up as a contender
Presti once again reemphasized the fact that he wants to build a long-term winner with the Thunder and that it will require some patience. Presti said that he doesn’t anticipate the team taking shortcuts when it comes to fully seeing out the rebuild and that he wants a contender instead of just a 40-win team in Oklahoma City.

https://okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/...xit-interview/

Now for some of your current comments:

"We're not getting some amazing draft picks that are doing wonders (his strategy). It's not panning out "

-We've had 2 drafts since our last playoff appearance. The first draft we took Josh Giddey who was WC Player of the Month each month until he got hurt and was All Rookie team. The second draft we got the no. 2 pick who got hurt in the summer, but is a terrific prospect and Jalen Williams who is projected by many to be 1st team All Rookie. Both Giddey and Williams played in the Rising Stars game.

"When we do have a "big win", it's mostly around the other teams that are struggling."

-In January the Thunder beat the following playoff contending teams: Boston, Washington, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, Brooklyn, Indiana, Denver and Cleveland.

As others have said, this Thunder team is way ahead of schedule for this rebuild. Even though they are the youngest team in the NBA, they've already won 4 more games than they did last year with 22 games left to play and they've also already beat Vegas' over/under. They currently have the WC 5th best point differential and all of this w/o the no. 2 draft pick from last year's draft. The future is bright and it is all due to Presti who is not interested in mediocrity, but wants to play for championships.

[dankrutka]

Thanks to catcherinthewry for debunking almost every point in bombermwc's post.

Overall, I would argue that Presti is arguably the best GM in the NBA and the Thunder ownership's support of him allows the franchise to rebuild the right way. First, the Thunder have had tremendous success. They were one of the most successful franchises in all of pro sports in the 2010s. However, the team leadership was also smart to recognize when to rebuild and the key is that they are rebuilding the right way. Bad teams try to rush the process. By doing so they usually run their rebuild. Fortunately, the Thunder have already built a foundation and will likely be competing in the playoffs next year. And it only required 2 years, which is incredible. I am really good with the team shifting to player development and losing game to get one more foundational piece in the draft. I couldn't be happier with how Presti and the organization is building up OKC for long-term success. It's honestly stunning.

[April in the Plaza]

I was told, come here to dispute my comment on another thread that Presti has helped ruin the Thunder.

So tell me how if we're still 13th out of 15 in the west...been sitting at the bottom for years, that we're not doing poorly. When was the last time we saw a playoff birth? It all fell apart after he started trading off the talent, which is now at the top of the NBA all over the league. We're not getting some amazing draft picks that are doing wonders (his strategy). It's not panning out

When we do have a "big win", it's mostly around the other teams that are struggling. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to keep cheering for them because I'm not just a fair weather fan. It's just frustrating to see someone that seems to operate in the shadows with more power than the coach (who gets to be the scapegoat) and yet, he's still there calling the shots, not getting us anywhere.

No on most of this. The West is extremely competitive, which makes the standings very compact.

The team sits one game out of the play-in and just four games out of the west #4 seed. And that’s without Chet playing a game. Plus, Poku has been out for a long stretch with an injury.

Adding Chet, an ascendant Poku and another top ten pick (maybe Gradey Dick or Jarace Walker) will make next year’s team very interesting. And we’ll have plenty of cap space flexibility with Kemba coming off the books.

[Laramie]

Reminder tonight:

Kings @ Thunder - Paycom Center, TV - Bally Sports Oklahoma, 7:00 P.M.

[FighttheGoodFight]

No on most of this. The West is extremely competitive, which makes the standings very compact.

The team sits one game out of the play-in and just four games out of the west #4 seed. And that’s without Chet playing a game. Plus, Poku has been out for a long stretch with an injury.

Adding Chet, an ascendant Poku and another top ten pick (maybe Gradey Dick or Jarace Walker) will make next year’s team very interesting. And we’ll have plenty of cap space flexibility with Kemba coming off the books.

Point Poku is life

[okatty]

Thanks to catcherinthewry for debunking almost every point in bombermwc's post.

Overall, I would argue that Presti is arguably the best GM in the NBA and the Thunder ownership's support of him allows the franchise to rebuild the right way. First, the Thunder have had tremendous success. They were one of the most successful franchises in all of pro sports in the 2010s. However, the team leadership was also smart to recognize when to rebuild and the key is that they are rebuilding the right way. Bad teams try to rush the process. By doing so they usually run their rebuild. Fortunately, the Thunder have already built a foundation and will likely be competing in the playoffs next year. And it only required 2 years, which is incredible. I am really good with the team shifting to player development and losing game to get one more foundational piece in the draft. I couldn't be happier with how Presti and the organization is building up OKC for long-term success. It's honestly stunning.

Agree with this and catcherintherye post. Sports Animal had a discussion a week or two ago about if you have a NBA GM draft, where would Presti go? And it was complete consensus that he would go very high.

[Laramie]

Sacramento Kings 123 @ Oklahoma City Thunder 117

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401469083

Attendance: 13,353

[Laramie]

Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Los Angeles Lakers @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Paycom Center, OKC
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 7:00 P.M.

[bombermwc]

Well you are all certainly entitled to your opinion. I totally disagree and we're not going to convince each other. Nor do i need to convince you....or you me.

Like I said, i'm still going to continue to cheer for the Thunder and support them as best I can. But that doesn't mean i have to accept what i feel, is bad leadership.

But that's the fun in sports. Differences of opinions are part of the passion. It'd be pretty boring if we all agreed.

[Dob Hooligan]

Well you are all certainly entitled to your opinion. I totally disagree and we're not going to convince each other. Nor do i need to convince you....or you me.

Like I said, i'm still going to continue to cheer for the Thunder and support them as best I can. But that doesn't mean i have to accept what i feel, is bad leadership.

But that's the fun in sports. Differences of opinions are part of the passion. It'd be pretty boring if we all agreed.

Last night's opponent, the Sacramento Kings, have not been in the playoffs since 2006. The Kings were owned by the Maloof family; who also owned the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where "Hef" was partying in the Playboy Suite with the Girls Next Door. The President was George W. Bush. Howard Schultz was complaining about the high cost of owning the Seattle SuperSonics and threatening to sell.

That's bad leadership.

[catcherinthewry]

Well you are all certainly entitled to your opinion.

It's not an opinion when I quote Presti directly contradicting what you said about him. If you don't want to listen to facts that is certainly your prerogative.

[warreng88]

If anyone cares, the over/under for the number of wins the thunder would have this year ranged from 22.5-24.5. The Thunder have played 61 games and have won 28 with 21 games left.

I added it up and we have lost 24 games by single digits and entering the season. The thunder were the youngest team in the NBA with an average age of 23.14 years old.

[April in the Plaza]

Well you are all certainly entitled to your opinion. I totally disagree and we're not going to convince each other. Nor do i need to convince you....or you me.

Like I said, i'm still going to continue to cheer for the Thunder and support them as best I can. But that doesn't mean i have to accept what i feel, is bad leadership.

But that's the fun in sports. Differences of opinions are part of the passion. It'd be pretty boring if we all agreed.

Not really. Surely you trust LeBron’s basketball judgment? He thinks we’re in a very good spot because of the leadership:

“Josh Giddey is really, really good, man. Obviously, a tall point guard. He is a triple-double-type of playmaker every single night because of his ability to rebound at his size, his distinctive passing, and he has the ability to score in the paint. I think he is going to continue to get better and better. They have a really good young core over in OKC. They do not even have Chet [Holmgren] there just yet. Josh [Giddey] is a really good player, along with the other rookie that they have this year. Obviously, we know first-time All [Star] Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] is really good, and the rest of that crew over there. Pretty good player, for sure. You guys should be proud.”

Source: https://thunderousintentions.com/202...c-thunder/amp/