The OKC Thunder 2018-19 preview roundtable wraps up with T.I. writers pinpointing greatest roster concerns, win total predictions and chances the team returns to Western Conference Finals.
Question 10:
What is your biggest concern about how the OKC Thunder is currently constructed?
Lawrence George – @geola388
Defensive rebounding. I recently posted an article regarding Oklahoma City’s defensive rebounding woes in which they struggle to clean their own glass (25th). Despite all the shiny new toys on the roster, the rebounding issue wasn’t addressed. If the Thunder are going to rely on suffocating defensive schemes, they have to secure rebounds when opposing teams throw up bricks.
I acknowledge the lack of perimeter shooting but the Thunder have never been a strong 3-Point shooting squad. If Oklahoma City can’t shoot the rock very well then they must corral rebounds on missed shots.
Tamberlyn Richardson – @TTOTambz
Without Andre Roberson available who steps up to fill this gap? Through preseason Billy Donovan utilized Terrance Ferguson and also gave ample playing time to rookie Hamidou Diallo and 2-way contracted player Deonte Burton. Alex Abrines is still in the mix as is Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. If you follow the Thunderous Intentions twitter account you know I’m a big fan of both Diallo an Burton, but I think they’ll need a year of exposure prior to being able to step up into a ‘core piece’. And, I’ll put it on the record now Deonte Burton is a baller who’ll make the varsity team next season.
The ideal wingman would offer above average defense, a consistent 3-point shot and rebounding help. Do any of the current players address all those needs? Not currently. Donovan will need to deal with the wings on a game by game basis based on matchups. I have my fingers crossed Dre makes a return to the hardwood sooner than we think (December would be glorious).
From a specific skillset perspective the team’s ability to effective hit from the perimeter remains a massive question mark.
Steven Adams still shakes Nick Collison’s hand #thunder pic.twitter.com/0jYqKAUrq1
— WHAMMYENZED (@teadrinker4000) October 7, 2018
Gideon Lim – @GideonLim_NBA
Veteran voices. Shooting, of course, but I think we could do with more stability. I love Russ, PG and Adams as players, but I don’t think they are particularly communicative or nurturing.
Dylan Huntzinger – @ThunderChats
I think OKC’s biggest threat to their potential is and usually is, themselves. Last year this team was the definition of complacent. Seemingly only showing up for the elite teams of the league, and giving 20% against the “bottom-feeders” of the league. It remains to be seen if they have a switch they can flip at any given game, but the elite teams of this game come in focused no matter who is across from them. If OKC wants to take that next step, they will have to conquer themselves first.
Reid Belew – @UpJimbo
Spacing. I want Russ to have room to operate. Russ with room to move, drive, or kick out is real tough to stop.
Jordan Buckamneer – @jbuckamneer
First and foremost, I hope to see everybody relatively healthy come playoff time. Thunder fans have seen too many ill-timed injuries, which arguably cost us two championships. Three out of the five starters have had season-ending injuries in the past, and one more this year would put an abrupt halt to the hype we’ve had this off season.
Amy Li – @realkimchiwitch
Basketball is a mental game as much as it is physical. There are a lot of egos on this team, some who just need more experience, and others who need to do what they do best (and own it). This season, I envision improved shooting from a more confident George, Abrines, and Roberson, and Grant on the defensive end.
I’d love for rookie Hamidou Diallo to continue to show energy and impress in his first year, and TLC and Ferguson to play with urgency in their second years. Finally, best-case scenario is for Schroder and Noel to gel with the core better than Carmelo Anthony ever did. A lot of things can go wrong of course, but I’m optimistic about a deep run in the West as long as the guys keep growing mentally.
Alex Roig – @AlexRoig_NTTB
Wing play….will anyone step up or will it be a revolving door as we attempt to find someone to slot next to Westbrook and George.
Austin Sternlicht – @The_Sternlicht
None of the fringe bench wings (TLC, Ferguson, Abrines, Diallo, Nader) are ready for the big moments.
Stephen Dolan – @SteveThunderfan
Anyone with any hardware in their body. I’m having nightmares of stitches, sutures, and screws. They haunt me.
Asad Ali Jamal – @SuperCyrax98
My biggest concern about the OKC Thunder right now is the team’s ability to shoot the ball. From what we’ve seen in preseason, the Thunder look much better than they did last year and that’s due to Paul George and players like Abrines stepping up, but I was pleasantly surprised with Schröder’s 3-point shot selection and Diallo’s ability to shoot the trey which almost no one saw coming.
Alex Mcewen – @eflame_717
Billy Donovan. As Billy D enters his fourth season as an NBA head coach, it remains unclear whether or not he is capable of coaching at the highest level of basketball. Donovan has been dealt an unfair card, due to the fact his team has looked dramatically different in each of his first three seasons and the trend continues heading into his fourth.
However, many head coaches in all sports deal with heavy roster turnover from season to season. Considering Donovan coached at the collegiate level for numerous year, he should be accustomed to a constantly revolving roster.
Because of the market the Thunder reside in and the fact Presti and Donovan are friends away from basketball, coach Donovan has been granted ample leeway. If Oklahoma City does not advance past the first round in 2019 Presti will be faced with the tough reality of firing not only a respected colleague but a close friend.
Rylan Stiles – @Rylan_Stiles
Shooting. The Thunder still need better shooters.
Tailor Finney – @taaayy3
Much like last year, I think the first couple of games are going to be a little hard to watch as we find the right fit for the new players among the returning players. I just hope we can find our consistency from game to game and actually exercise the depth that Presti worked for this season.
Although this completes our top 10 burning questions which honor the first decade of OKC Thunder basketball we’ve decided to run one more bonus question to kick off the 11th season. To that end, the bonus question focuses on predicting the OKC Thunder win totals and the potential for them to return to the Western Conference Finals.