Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder vs. New York Knicks, 2019-20 team preview

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder Team Previews: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
OKC Thunder Team Previews: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Team Previews
OKC Thunder Team Previews : RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New York Knicks entered the offseason hoping for the top draft pick and two superstars who ended up in New York but not with them. How will the OKC Thunder match up to them in 2019-20?

Talk about a slap to the face. The New York Knicks tanked hoping to land the number one overall pick and lost out to the Pelicans. They had to settle for the third pick falling behind the Grizzlies who also moved ahead of them in the draft lottery.

Then things got worse because the fans in the Mecca who had hoped all this tanking was going to result in quality superstars signing in free agency. Instead, they not only didn’t get the coveted two star free agents, but they went to their cross town New York rivals the Nets. OUCH!

All is not lost as the Knicks did land RJ Barrett a potential star and he was thrilled to end up with the Knicks.

From there the offseason proceeded with some of the strangest signings of the summer at least considering each one seemed to focus on one position.

The Knicks will enter this season with more visions of tanking and a top draft pick but there isn’t a generational star to dangle. Oh well, maybe one day James Dolan will sell the Knicks and stars will finally be happy to return back to the arena most NBA players cite as their favorite to play in — just not as a member of the Knicks.

The Basics:

2018-19 Record:  17-65

Lottery Seed: Finished 15th in Eastern Conference, received 3rd pick in lottery

Head Coach: David Fizdale begins his second season as head coach.

Points per game: 104.6 ranked 28th | Opponent points per game: 113.8 ranked 22nd

Pace: Ranked17th (99.6)  | Offensive Rating: Ranked 30th (104.5) | Defensive Rating: Ranked 26th (113.7)

Vegas Odds:

Win-Loss: 27.0 games
Odds to NBA Title: +33344
Odds to Win Conference: +9754

* Odds courtesy of The Action Network.

The OKC Thunder swept the regular-season series against the Knicks. Next up, let’s look at the offseason changes made by the Knicks and review what to expect when the team’s tipoff versus each other in their two contests.

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