When the NBA changed the playoff seeding process little did the OKC Thunder realize those changes could pay dividends.
During the OKC Thunder first seven seasons home court playoff seeds were determined based on division winners and the next best team in the conference. In those years OKC made six postseason appearances winning the division on four occasions. Then in the 2015-16 season the Association removed the automatic home court seed for division winners.
It was a logical move because there were division winners whose records paled in comparison to second place and in some cases even third place divisional seeds.
For the OKC Thunder this hadn’t been an issue the past two years. But, this year that rule change may end up playing a major factor. Through nine games thus far of the 2017-18 campaign the Thunder have five losses and four of those are versus Northwest divisional rivals.
Northwest devouring Thunder:
Sure, the first loss to the Timberwolves can be debated given the no call on the illegal screen by Karl-Anthony Towns on Paul George. The fact remains the Thunder simply haven’t looked great in clutch moments this season.
It’s still far too early to panic as these growing pains were expected. Yet, the problem may be more a matter of personnel. With less length and depth or proven entities on OKC’s reserve unit it’s creating issues for the squad. Again, part of his is the team getting used to playing with each other and developing a chemistry.