Thunder Journal: 2020-2021 Thunder Player Rankings
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Over the past few weeks, I’ve been counting down the best Thunder players of the 2020-2021 season on Twitter from #17 to #1. Now that it is finally complete, I present the list to you in full, Daily Thunder reader.
2020-2021 Thunder Player Rankings
#17. Charlie Brown Jr.
CBJ has OBJ’s former hair, an iconic name that provided instant memes & a Brazilian rock band that shares the same name. And he should’ve played 48 minutes in the season ender vs the Clippers.
#16. Josh Hall
The former 5 star recruit’s rookie season was marred with injuries. He’s 6’9” with a versatile skill set, but raw. He flashed his pedigree in OKC’s finale with 25 points + 10 rebounds. That might’ve earned Hall another 2 way deal.
#15. Jaylen Hoard
He could be a couple spots higher based on efficiency & advanced stats. But his raw numbers, minutes & overall impact are too small to draw any real conclusions. I like OKC kicking the tires on 5 star recruits as 2 way players.
#14. Aleksej Pokusevski
Don’t let the low ranking fool you. I’m cuckoo for Poku Puffs. Post-G League Poku was a different dude. But these rankings are for the full season. OKC just hoped to see star flashes from Poku. Mission accomplished.
#13. Moses Brown
What can Brown do for you? Rebounds. Dunks. Blocks. He’s not a shooter, passer or ball handler, and he still has a way to go as a defender. But as an undrafted 2 way player, Moses is already a major success story.
#12. Gabriel Deck
La Tortuga only played 10 games, so he’s tough to rank. He flashed in his little time as a smart, high effort scorer, rebounder and passer. OKC and Argentina fans have reason to be excited about his potential next season.
#11. Isaiah Roby
Roby went from preseason fan cut candidate to regular season fan favorite. The president of The Breakfast Club showed promise as a modern rotational big in essentially his rookie season. He’s also a really underrated dunker.
#10. Theo Maledon
Theo had a 33 point game, a 12 assist game, a 6 steal game and a 6 3 pointers game. He broke the Thunder rookie record for most 3 pointers set by Alex Abrines. Si ya senor! Efficiency needs work, but Theo was a 2nd round steal.
#9. Darius Bazley
The good: 13.7 points & 7.2 rebounds per game. The bad: 39.6% from the field & 29% from 3. The future: Baze is still only 20 and flashes potential on both sides, but the 3 needs to improve. Attacking Baze is the best Baze.
#8. Tony Bradley
Surprised? Me too. Bradley led OKC in FG% & eFG% by a wide margin. Per 36, he was #2 in rebounds, #2 in blocks and #4 in points. Tony had a small role but played it to perfection. No idea if he stays, but he’s a nice bench big.
#7. Svi Mykhailiuk
OKC fans were sad to see Hamidou Diallo go and thought a 2nd rounder + this throw-in dude was too little in return. Svi was no throw-in. Thunder lost a dunk champ but turns out Svi could throw down dunks too… and hit 3s.
#6. Mike Muscala
Moose had to be shut down midseason because a 7 footer hitting 4 or 5 3s off the bench every game isn’t a wise way to end up with a Top 5 draft pick. Mike’s love of OKC and the fans here has endeared him to the Thunder faithful.
#5. Ty Jerome
When OKC traded CP3, the big names they got in return were Oubre & Rubio. Ty was an afterthought and the only one who stayed in OKC… and had a better season than both. Dude has Dame & Curry range… and shot better from 3 than both.
#4. Kenrich Williams
Crazy fact: Kenny Hustle led OKC in 3PT%. Energy guys aren’t supposed to be this skilled. An instant fan favorite. Playoff teams wanted him, OKC said nope. Arguably OKC’s most consistent two way player over the full season.
#3. Lu Dort
An undrafted sophomore “defensive specialist” being OKC’s 3rd best player this year is remarkable. Lu played All NBA D and improved his 3 point shot & scoring. Dort’s future is so bright, he’s gotta wear shades… to protect the sun.
#2. Al Horford
Just like Chris Paul, everyone said he was washed. Just like Chris Paul, he proved all his doubters wrong on the court and was an all-class leader off the court. Just like Chris Paul, OKC will trade him for a positive asset.
#1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
People are going crazy over how good young West guards Mitchell, Booker & Ja have been these playoffs. OKC fans know SGA was better than all of them pre-injury. Shai’s playoff shine is coming… as are his All Star nods.
These rankings are based on overall season performance, impact and role. If you agree with the rankings, please leave a comment! If you disagree with my rankings, then yes, I concede in hindsight that Poku should’ve been Top 3.
