OKC Thunder season preview roundtable – Q1: Most excited about in 2018-19 season

Counting down the final 10 days until the OKC Thunder tip off the 2018-19 season T.I. writers answer burning questions via a season preview roundtable.

As of today the NBA 2018-19 season is exactly 10 days and nine sleeps away. The OKC Thunder will tip off versus their nemesis (Golden State Warriors) on opening night and like Thunder Nation the writing team at Thunderous Intentions can barely contain our excitement.

Let’s face it as delighted as we are to watch preseason games the reality is we’re inpatient to reach the stage where games count toward the win-loss column. Leading up to October 16 the TI writing team will continue to pump out player season previews, dive into theoretical and hypothetical situations and outline the gaps in the roster.

But, the truth is this last stretch seems to take an eternity to pass. Therefore to help keep our idle minds busy we convened to answer 10 questions (plus one bonus question) in honor of the OKC Thunder decade of existence and approaching 11th season. Over the next 10 days we’ll answer one burning question per day about the OKC Thunder 2018-19 season.

Without further adieu here is question one of the Thunderous Intentions, OKC Thunder 2018-19 season preview round table

Question 1: What are you most excited about for the 2018-19 OKC Thunder season?

Tamberlyn Richardson – @TTOTambz

It’s been a minute since the Thunder had a competitive bench, so once Dennis Schroder joins them I think OKC will vie for top reserve unit.  Paul George and Russell Westbrook second (fully healthy season) together should produce better results as they develop a short hand. But, perhaps more than anything I’m anxious to witness Steven Adams rise in the Association. With Nerlens Noel available Adams won’t be over taxed and that alone will allow the Big Kiwi to bring his best well into the post season (and maybe – finally the pundits will pay him his due respect).

Lawrence George – @geola388

The most exciting aspect for me is seeing Patrick Patterson be the player I envisioned him to be when he arrived to Oklahoma City from Toronto. Like Andre Roberson, 2-Pat is a blue collar player whose contributions are regularly underappreciated by the casual fan. He is a strong defender, great ball mover and one of the Thunder’s proven 3-Point threats. Seeing Pat have a bounce back year and perform the role Carmelo was suppose to last season is something I am looking forward to seeing this season.

Gideon Lim – @GideonLim_NBA

A real bench squad. I like the idea – less top-heavy, a simple athleticism-driven offense that the bench will supposedly be able to adopt more easily. A lot of that falls on Dennis Schroder. Him leading the bench, plus the whole dual point guard experiment – I’m ready for the promise to deliver. Also low key looking forward to some massive screening from the Big Kiwi.

Rylan Stiles – @Rylan_Stiles

On the court, I am most excited for Dennis Schröder. For the first time sense Reggie Jackson, the Thunder have a quality backup point guard that could double as a starter on some NBA rosters. Off the court, I am most excited that the Thunder finally have stability.

Dylan Huntzinger – @ThunderChats

Forgoing the easy answers of Russ and Dre coming back, I am most excited to see the second unit in action. We have been robbed of the full experience due to Dennis starting in place of the injured Russ. The skeptical that promises to be when Hami, Ferg, Grant, and Nerlens are flying up and down the court; blocking shots, deflecting passes, catching lobs all with Dennis running the show. This has me salivating, and 29 teams second units sweating.

Reid Belew – @UpJimbo 

This is the first time in a while the Thunder have had a solid bench with scoring threats. I think Noel is athletic enough to be a really problematic pick and roll partner with Schröder, and is a plus defender. I anticipate the Thunder’s on/off numbers won’t plummet quite so much without Russ, and that’s definitely something to be excited about.

Jordan Buckamneer – @jbuckamneer

This really feels like the first year we will fully get to enjoy Paul George and a new era of Thunder basketball. Last year, the OK3 was thrown together at the last second and things obviously didn’t work out with Carmelo Anthony on the team. But we learned some valuable lessons, albeit the hard way, and added pieces to the puzzle like Dennis Schroder and Nerlens Noel that address specific issues we had. So I’m excited to see the team find its true identity, knowing that our superstars are in it for the long haul.

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Asad Ali Jamal – @SuperCyrax98

I am excited about many aspects of this year’s team. In fact, I was most excited for the return of Paul George and the chemistry improvements. But, after watching the preseason games so far, I am now most excited for the versatility this team can achieve in its lineups. In what may be the team’s deepest roster in years, OKC can finally experiment with new and creative lineup’s to exploit their opponent’s greatest weaknesses and that will be fun to watch!

Amy Li – @realkimchiwitch 

The bench additions are going to be fun to watch, but I am most excited for Andre Roberson’s return from injury, even if he’s not back to 100 percent. Oh, and Dennis Schroder’s hair progression.

Alex Roig – @AlexRoig_NTTB

I’m honestly most excited about a rotation that should seamlessly transition from starters to bench. When there is not that much change between the starters and the reserves, the team doesn’t have to change their style of play. Westbrook (an attacking guard/ great in the pick and roll) sits, Schroder (another attacking guard/great in the pick and roll) comes in. Steven Adams (great defensively/great in the pick and roll) sits down, Noel (good defensively/good in the pick and roll) comes in. The wings, outside of Abrines’ shooting, all seem to be the same. And if you want a change of pace, you can bring in Raymond Felton, who is a veteran and has already been in the system for a season.

Austin Sternlicht – @The_Sternlicht

For the first time in a while, there isn’t any major free agency speculation at the end of the season. The core is locked in through 2020. That should lead to a stress-free season. Also, no Carmelo Anthony or Kyle Singler will be nice.

Stephen Dolan – @SteveThunderfan

The Thunder were 16th in the NBA in Pace last season – the first time they’d been outside the top 10 since 2011.  There’s been an emphasis stated repeatedly to push the pace this season, and you can hear Billy Donovan screaming “Go! Go! Go!” from the sidelines.

In addition to the philosophical change, there’s also been a lot of roster turnover, with young, athletic wings coming in to replace slower, older, more un-athletic players (Who, me?). What am I most excited for? I wanna see these guys run.

So, there you have it what members of the Thunderous Intentions writing team are most excited to see from the OKC Thunder in the 2018-19 season. Tomorrow question two dives into Paul George expectations this season.