The OKC Thunder have had a perfect start to the 2024-25 NBA season, as the West favorites have gone 7-0 while winning all games by double-digits, sitting comfortably atop the Western Conference standings. The players usually give post-game interviews in large groups and sign off by barking into the mic, something that four-time Draymond Green recently slammed as unserious on the Draymond Green Show.
“The one thing I see about the OKC team that’s alarming to me is their postgame,” Green said. “Seven guys in the interview. There’s a certain seriousness it takes to win in this league. And there’s a certain fear you have to instill in teams in order to win. I just don’t know if they’re instilling that fear in teams with all the bromance and stuff after the game.”
OKC’s breakout third-year forward Jalen Williams slammed Draymond for commenting on what the Thunder do, saying it’s weird for anyone to have a strong opinion on this.
“We’re just concerned about what’s going on here and everything else kinda takes care of itself,” Williams said. “I feel like it’s kinda weird to have a strong opinion on it. But again, we’re just so locked on what we have going on here. That’s just how we come together as a team.”
Williams is averaging 18.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists to start the 2024-25 season, solidifying himself as one of the three primary offensive options on the team alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. Williams’ ability to excel both on and off-ball while covering three positions on the court is incredible, with the Thunder already making him a core part of their franchise.
OKC was expected to be the best team in the West before the season started due to their depth, versatility, defense, and durability. They’ve lived up to that billing even with summer signing Isaiah Hartenstein yet to play a competitive game for the franchise.
This is arguably the scariest team in the NBA right now. Even though the Golden State Warriors have gotten off to a strong 6-1 start to the season, Draymond might be in for a rude awakening against the Thunder when the teams face off for the first time this season on November 11.
The Thunder Are Perfectly Positioned For A Dynasty
The Thunder’s process to build their current team began in 2019 when they traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers, landing six years’ worth of Draft picks and a sophomore guard named Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who the Thunder quickly identified as the franchise’s future face and spent multiple years developing into an MVP-caliber guard.
During the years of development for Shai, the Thunder had their share of misses on Draft picks, but their makes have dramatically altered the franchise. The 2022 Draft will be remembered as one of their greatest, landing both Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams in the lottery to establish their core trio for the future. Other picks over the years such as Aaron Wiggins have also paid off perfectly.
The Thunder have over 15 first-round picks for future team-building and a roster of young players, with their oldest core piece being the 26-year-old Shai. They’re positioned to not only contend this season with the roster they’ve assembled but they’re positioned to contend for decades with the youth of their roster and the assembly line of top Draft picks that they can land with picks from other teams.
They’ll hope to keep their perfect record intact when they face the Denver Nuggets on the road in an opening night rematch where OKC dominated and made a statement against the 2023 Champions.
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