Friday Bolts: Chase for Eighth
With just twelve games remaining in the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain firmly in contention for a play-in or playoff spot. After completing an impressive comeback win over the Brooklyn Nets, OKC surged into a tie for 8th in the Western Conference; however, after getting handled by the Toronto Raptors last night, the Thunder dropped to 10th, a half-game ahead of the Utah Jazz.
Thunder still in the #10 play-in spot in the West.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) March 17, 2023
Teams below OKC in the standings:
Jazz: hardest remaining schedule
Pelicans: 3-7 in the last 10
Blazers: lost 4 straight
Spurs: eliminated
Rockets: eliminated
Royce Young interviewed several former Thunder players looking back at how the franchise got its start in OKC.
Nine players from the 2008-09 inaugural Thunder team returned to Oklahoma City for the recent Thunder Legacy Weekend. @royceyoung talked to several of them to learn how the foundation laid during those early days established the Thunder Standard that we see today. pic.twitter.com/vgPceiPBZ2
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 13, 2023
In a league where many of its top stars are notorious for berating officials and racking up technical fouls, former Thunder forward Al Horford helped establish a different way of handling referees--knowing their name. Berry Tramel digs into how Horford impacted OKC's approach to game officials.
Here's your weekly dose of, "Jalen Williams is really good and here's why."
The most efficient NBA rookie over a 14 game span has been Shaquille O’Neal for the past 30 years.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) March 15, 2023
Now it’s Jalen Williams. https://t.co/04ngoqOjbw
Chet Holmgren rehab update:
Chet Holmgren looking more and more smooth, especially with the step-back three. pic.twitter.com/LzT7mUCaMo
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) March 16, 2023
In the latest update to its Top 125 player rankings, The Ringer placed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at no. 12. Which simultaneously feels exciting (SGA's not an up-and-comer, he's here!) yet disappointing (bruh, SGA been better than many of the guys ranked ahead of him). Josh Giddey is at no. 75, Jalen Williams leaps into no. 108, and Lu Dort (no. 118) gives OKC four players in the top 125.