The Daily Thunder Podcast: Should we be worried?
The Oklahoma City Thunder's recent performance has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, filled with exhilarating highs and frustrating lows. In the latest episode of the Daily Thunder Podcast, hosts John Napier and Brandon Rabar dive in to diagnose what may be going wrong for the Thunder and what to expect for the next slate of games.
Show notes:
00:00 - The Thunder beat the injury-plagued Pelicans and Suns
06:32 - The Thunder still cannot stop the PJ Washington and the Mavericks from raining 3-pointers Suns
09:33 - Ugly loss to the Without-Wemby Spurs Suns
11:42 - Defensive issues from the lack of a true big
16:00 - The offense & shooting woes
18:27 - The Adam Flagler Isiaah Joe experiment
19:46 - The Thunder are the tenth worst three point shooting team in the NBA
22:21 - Mark Daigneault on OKC's poor free throw rate
33:22 - Previewing Thunder/Kings
34:54 - Thunder players as Ninja Turtles
38:25 - From the Takebox: Trading for Giannis?
41:43 - Starting Ousmane Dieng?
42:41 - Hartenstein's return official
The Thunder started the season on a high note, boasting an impressive 8-1 record. However, the past week has seen a mix of emotions, with the team going 4-3 in their last seven games. Key victories against the Clippers and Suns showcased the team's potential, even in a "post-Chet world." The defense was particularly noteworthy, managing to contain stars like Devin Booker and showing promising signs of adaptability despite missing key players.
Yet, the Thunder's recent losses have raised concerns. Despite facing shorthanded teams, the Thunder have struggled, particularly with rebounding and perimeter defense. The absence of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein has been felt acutely, as the team grapples with a rebounding disparity and defensive lapses without any true big man on the court.
Offensively, the Thunder have faced their own set of challenges. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have been stellar, the role players have struggled to find consistency. The team's three-point shooting, once a strength, has faltered, raising questions about their ability to maintain offensive efficiency. Another major topic of discussion is the free throw disparity that has plagued the Thunder. Despite leading the league in drives per game, the team ranks low in free throw rate. Coach Mark Daigneault's frustration is palpable, as he argues that the lack of calls is capping the team's offensive potential. The podcast hosts weigh in on whether this is a result of officiating or the result of the Thunder's shot selection.
Looking ahead, the Thunder face a challenging schedule with games against the Kings, Warriors, Lakers, and Rockets. The return of Isaiah Hartenstein should be a game-changer, offering the interior defense and rebounding the team desperately needs.
