It’s a good news, bad news type of day for the OKC Thunder as reflected In the news.
Welcome to the weekend Thunder Nation and the angst which every OKC Thunder fan is feeling with just three games remaining in the 2017-18 season.
Merriam Webster extols on insanity as the following:
"An oft-quoted bon mot (frequently attributed to Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, or a number of other people who probably never said it) is that insanity may be defined as “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”"
Over the course of the past few weeks a daily (often several times a day) action of this scribe has been visiting sites to check updated standings, schedules, tiebreak status and other stats. This because of the ongoing tempest raging in the Western Conference. At a certain point consideration is afforded to the insanity of the action. But, remembering the above statement I realize while it may be obsessive it’s not insane since the results are invariably constantly changing!
Most of Thunder Nation is well aware of this feeling as they’ve joined in on this action. Well, I can guarantee these continuing changes will be a constant through the next six days (seven if you count the time the last game affecting the standings will finish).
Tracking final games:
To help you out as you navigate these shifts I’ve broken down the eight teams to focus on. Only the Blazers have clinched a berth to join the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors, but they have yet to clinch their seed.
The following chart highlights a few key fact such as where each team is currently seeded, records, tiebreaker status, conference record (used to break ties) and games remaining.
In essence the OKC Thunder didn’t do themselves any favors by not taking care of business. I’ll point out once more those 11 losses to lottery teams may be the lasting memory of this season. It was one thing for OKC to measure up and beast against top squads, but their apparent disrespect for lower seeded squads may end up being the teams greatest regret at season end. Let’s cross our fingers it doesn’t.
Regardless of the final result, moving forward, let that be a lesson for why no squad should be taken lightly. To wit, while beating top squads is important as a litmus test those lower tier squads are the bread and butter which can build padding toward home court seeding.
Tiebreakers don’t help:
As noted above four teams won tiebreakers over OKC. Consequently, three of the teams happen to be the three teams trailing the Thunder. Those squads (Pelicans, Wolves and Nuggets) all have one less win than OKC. However, since they own the tiebreaker it forces OKC to finish with one extra win because a tie would be the same as a loss.
Still it’s not all bad news. There are a few rays of light for the Thunder. First of all, the OKC Thunder currently has an extra win over those same three teams. Second, the Wolves and Nuggets will play one game against each other meaning one squad will lose at least one game. Perhaps the biggest factor is OKC control their own fate. If OKC win out they guarantee themselves a playoff berth.
Recently Paul George and Carmelo Anthony both eluded to ‘knowing what time it is’ and ‘being able to deliver when it counts.’ Obviously, the time to deliver is now. Let’s hope the two newest stars take their own words to heart.
Glass half full:
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
With the very real possibility the OKC Thunder could miss the playoffs it is hard not to be angst filled. However, there is a positive which occurs if this undesired result occurs. Most notably the Thunder would retain their draft pick in a year loaded with quality prospects.
Moke Hamilton of Thunderwire details the specifics.
"So where that leaves us today is the following scenario: if the Thunder qualify for the playoffs, the Timberwolves will get their first round pick. Based on the standings, the pick would vest as the 20th overall.If the Thunder don’t make the playoffs, though, they would be permitted to keep the pick. They would have a minuscule chance of moving up in the draft lottery, but the pick could potentially be first, second or third. The likeliest scenario, however, would be it landing around 13th or 14th. Where it did land would be determined by where the Thunder ended the season relative to the other teams that missed the playoffs."
Step one:
The Rockets are up first which should also be good news. Afterall, OKC demonstrated a propensity to perform best versus the top squads. Factor in although the Rockets want to keep their roster in games to maintain timing and flow they also aren’t going to risk injury at this stage in the season. Therefore hitting the Rockets hard with physicality right from the tip could send a not so subtle message of the intention for battle. In turn, Mike D’Antoni may limit his stars minutes recognizing the message.
Either way, here’s hoping for a win Saturday. Check back with Thunderous Intentions Saturday morning as Wil Harrington preps you for tip off. That’s all for today, enjoy the remainder of your Friday.