Roundtable Sessions: Ranking OKC Thunder in key stats categories and the 16 playoff seeds

6 of 9

Andre Roberson #21 of the OKC Thunder smiles during a game against the Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Tamberlyn Richardson:

The OKC Thunder hangs their hat on defense – always have. They ranked fourth last season. When I dissect the situation this season I looked at it from the perspective of three tangible items

Perennial defensive clubs: Bucks, Raptors, Heat, Thunder, Pacers, and Jazz
Improved defensive teams: 76ers and Clippers
Recently arrived (one full season of being in the mix): Nuggets, Magic

Given those dynamics, ranking top 10 can’t be viewed as regression especially with so many new faces and youth on the club. Which highlights another fact — how will Andre Roberson look? If he’s close to the same defender it’s likely the Thunder remains in the top 10.

Rylan Stiles:

I actually think this team has a ton of defensive potential, not even counting Andre Roberson (because you simply can’t, who knows if he will ever play again and if he does will he even be the same defender?) guys like CP3, Steven Adams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Terrance Ferguson, and even expected a young guy like Hamidou Diallo to take a leap defensively, and you have a stellar unit on that side of the ball.

Chase Beal-Sharp:

9th

Aidan E:

17th

Matthew Hallet:

With Roberson back to full effectiveness the Thunder is a top-3 defensive team. If he is not, they are top-10.

Kevon Stewart:

10th

Tyler Barger:

Hopefully in the top 10

Home/Thunder News