Thunder Journal: First Quarter Report Card
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The reigning MVP runner-up has been nominated every week for the Western Conference Player of the Week. He won the October/November Western Conference Player of the Month. He’s averaging 29.8/5.5/6/5/1.8/1.0. This is the kid that messes up the curve for the rest of the students. Grade: A+
Jalen Williams
The All-Star leap is upon us. Now I don’t know if JDub will crash the Bay Area party this season in a crowded West field, but he’s averaging 21.8/6.0/5.2 on great efficiency. He's played elite defense. He’s second in the NBA with 2.1 steals per game. Oh, and he played center for 6 games. Grade: A
Chet Holmgren
F. No, that’s not his grade. That’s an abbreviation for how every Thunder fan feels about Chet’s current status. As for his true grade based on how he played before injury... it’s the reason why the ceiling for this team at full health is so tantalizing for OKC fans. Grade: A
Isaiah Hartenstein
iHart has played in 6 games. Over that sample, OKC is 5-1 and he has 5 double doubles. Bonus points for coming back--earlier than expected--at just the right time. Extra bonus points just for being over 6’6. Grade: A
Lu Dort
Mark Daigneault revealed Dort has been playing through mallet finger on his shooting pinky over the past couple weeks, which explains his drop in 3-point efficiency. And yet Lu is still shooting 40% from deep while playing lock down defense. Grade: A-
Ajay Mitchell
Look, I’m not saying he’s going to make an All-Rookie Team but what Ajay has done this season is pretty eye-opening. He immediately cracked the nightly rotation of the West’s top contender.. as a second-round, two-way contract rookie. And consistently plays smart, mistake-free, efficient basketball. Grade: B+
Aaron Wiggins
Wiggs is averaging a career high in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. His 3-point shooting is down 8% this season... and he’s still shooting 41%. My only knock is that he doesn’t play 48 minutes per game. Grade: B
Alex Caruso
OKC fans were excited to see this all-world defender and knock down 3-point shooter added to a 57 win team. AC’s defense has been just as advertised. The 3-point shooting hasn’t been there yet, but a career long sample size says it’s coming. Grade: B-
Could Shai win MVP? @BrandonRahbar and says there's a chance on the latest Daily Thunder Podcast. https://t.co/nhe6mwfl8X pic.twitter.com/8sJE3cNNEz
— Daily Thunder (@dailythunder) December 5, 2024
Cason Wallace
On one hand, Wallace’s already stellar rookie defense has improved his sophomore season. On the other hand, Wallace’s stellar shooting stroke has dropped off his sophomore season. Still, besides the 3-ball, Caso has improved in every other area and taken temporary control of the fifth starter spot. Grade: B-
Kenrich Williams
Kenny Hustle missed the first 10 games of the season, then brought an immediate bolt of energy and reminded everyone why he was such a highly regarded (and pursued) role player just two seasons ago. Grade: B-
Isaiah Joe
A 3-point sniper has set the bar ridiculously high when he can shoot 37.5% from deep while simultaneously upping his rebounds, assists and steals... and it feels like he’s having an off start to the season. It’ll be a big boost for OKC if Joe can bump that 3PT% up to his typical 41.5% mark. Grade: B-
Ousmane Dieng
Truly a bummer that Ous suffered an injury, because he was showing real potential as a defensive role player and finally flashing some physicality and aggressiveness. Grade: C
Dillon Jones
It’s a bit unfair to judge him against Ajay Mitchell. Jones has played just as you’d expect from a late first-round rookie. Sporadic minutes, flashing some talent, struggling to hit shots. I’d guess Jones gets some time with the Blue once Caruso and JWill are back. Grade: C-
Jaylin Williams
My guy JWill is checking in with 21 excused absences so far and still has a glowing report card because, unlike the Oklahoma City public school system, I give extra credit for vibes. Grade: Incomplete