Turning over the ranking of playoff teams in the West, you will suddenly find that Thunder ranks 8th in the West and is pursuing 50% victory rate, which is not surprising. Originally, it was predicted that the process of Thunder accumulating talent would take several years to blossom and bear fruit, but it was unexpected that now it was harvested in advance. So, what did Thunder climb to such a high position by virtue?
Up to now, Thunder ranks eighth in the West with 35 wins and 36 losses. They are in front of the Warriors with 36 wins and 36 losses, and behind them are the Timberwolves and Lakers with the same 35 wins and 37 losses. The ranking is not stable, it is possible to be replaced at any time. However, Parkins of NBA Today predicted the final ranking of 6 to 10 in the Western District this season, but predicted that Thunder would eventually rank 9th, lagging behind the Lakers and leading the Jazz.
Thunder does not have to advance to the playoffs this year. Their chances are next year, because the competition for this year’s playoffs is a bit menacing, and Thunder is not the most prominent among them. They just let NBA stop ignoring them. When the season started, it was predicted that Thunder could only be at the bottom of the West. Now it is unimaginable to reach such a height.
To analyze the way of Thunder’s success, Alexander was the first one. After all, he was the trump card of Thunder. So far this season, Alexander has averaged 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals, with a total hit rate of 51.1 percent and 35.1 percent three-point shot percentage. His offensive efficiency (125), efficiency value (27.3) and victory contribution value (10.1) have greatly improved compared with the previous season (111, 20.9, 4.6), real field goal percentage (62.5%) is also a career high, and his usage rate (32.8%) has not improved much compared with last season (30.8). This made his progress more precious and worthy of a team’s trump card. NBA also gave him an all-star without hesitation.
Yesterday’s game is an example. Thunder 124-120 overturned without Durant’s sun, Alexander’s 40 points would not let Booker’s 46 points be more beautiful than before.
Another example is Josh Gidi. This gentleman took a step closer in the second year of his career, with an average of 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists, with a total hit rate of 48.4 percent and a three-point hit rate of 32.6 percent. Compared with last season (12.5 points), his average score improved significantly, while his assists fell slightly, with both the total hit rate and the three-point hit rate rising sharply. His offensive efficiency, efficiency value, real field goal percentage, utilization rate and victory contribution value all show upward momentum, reaching the best career.
When you open the Thunder roll, you can see that the players in the team still stay in the team now, and the playing time is more than 10 minutes, there are three players in the team whose playing time is reserved for more than 30 minutes (besides Alexander and Gidi, there is also Dort, a defense expert). Thunder ranked second in the league in terms of average playing time and efficiency, second only to Spurs and Knicks. It can be seen that thunder is a team that plays on the whole. Everyone in the team has opportunities and contributions. Usually, this is unique to teams in transition and reconstruction. Because there is no confirmation of the main force, let everyone have a try.
Thunder hit rate (46.8%) was only the 21st place, but with the number of first shots in the league (92.7 times), it also accumulated the number of hits worth seeing (43.3 times, ranked 5th), the typical weight is not heavy. Thunder’s three-point goals, defensive rebounds, assists and cap all ranked between 10 and 20 in the league. Only offensive rebounds (11.3 Games per game) ranked 8th in parallel, it is the second to steal all games (8.4 games on average). It can be seen from this that thunder is a team that earns good hits by the number of shots piled up by attacking rebounds, and its defense is mainly based on gambling defense such as stealing.
Thunder began to rebuild by virtue of the weishao trade in 2019. At that time, a deal required four first-round picks from rivals. After entering the team, Paul delayed the reconstruction of thunder by virtue of his excellent performance, led the team into the playoffs (the first round of 3-4 enemy rockets), and also took Alexander by the way.
Thunder began to rebuild completely in 2020. At that time, as long as the trading object had the right to choose, the transaction was half successful. Thunder was also nicknamed “accumulated the right to choose in the next decade”, later, jazz was provoked to follow suit.
Among the selected people, Thunder sent Emmanuel quikley, the 25th in 2020, to the Knicks, and Alperon-Shenjing, the 16th in 2021, to the rockets, which were two regrets; but he also left behind such things as giddy, Trey-Mann, Aron-Wikins, Chet-Holmgren, Jay-Williams and Jerry-Williams. Now, except Holmgren, they are all available in the team. In addition, Thunder also won Dort in have the discerning eye, signed him with a two-way contract, and signed a five-year 87.5 million-year contract with him last year, which successfully turned positive.
This year may not be a lucky year for thunder, but they issued a declaration by climbing to the eighth in the West: Don’t underestimate us any more. Thunder is no longer the bottom fish brisket that was slaughtered in the past. Perhaps in the near future, a new army like thunder will scare everyone.
(Mao Mao dad/supine support)