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

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder: Steven Adams #12, Terrance Ferguson #23, Dennis Schroder #17, Chris Paul #3, Danilo Gallinari #8, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 pose for a portrait during media day (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder: Steven Adams #12, Terrance Ferguson #23, Dennis Schroder #17, Chris Paul #3, Danilo Gallinari #8, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 pose for a portrait during media day (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kyle Lowry holds Larry O’Brien Trophy alongside Rapper, Drake during Raptors Championship Victory Parade (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Tamberlyn Richardson:

It seems like a lot of pundits (and a few of our staff 😉 are sleeping on the Raptors. Personally I’m not prepared to push them out of home court seeding. First of all, they enter this season with a HUGE chip on their shoulders over the disrespect coming their way. If you want more intel on how they did last season without Kawhi and the types of games they were, check out the team preview.

The Bucks and Toronto were the only teams who finished ranked top-five in both defense and offense last season. And before someone points out that Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green were the difference the season prior (2017-18) when DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas were still on the team (and neither are defensive stalwarts) the Raptors were the ONLY team to accomplish that feat. We’ll see by season end, but I had to fight myself from ranking them even higher on this list.

It should be a dog fight to Game 82. I think Pat Riley is most likely to pull a trade that pushes Miami higher. But, like I’m trying to manifest the Pops/Kawhi matchup I was similarly moved to align the 76ers and Heat (Jimmy Butler) in R2 but ended up giving into my belief the Heat and Raptors will end up being in those top seeds. As for Philly, I put initially put them first by virtue of how good they’ll be defensively this season — but—- I still think their shooting (particularly a lack of 3-point shooters) will be an issue, especially in the playoffs which resulted in me pushing them down below to fourth.

I could still be talked into pushing up the Pacers but the fact the Celtics and Nets have stars and depth kept me from doing so. As for the Pacers, I really like that squad (Malcolm Brogdon and TJ Warren were both underrated additions) but they need Victor Oladipo back before they start to make a mark. CAN’T WAIT – to see Brogdon/Dipo backcourt!

  1. Bucks
  2. Raptors
  3. Heat
  4. 76ers
  5. Celtics
  6. Pacers
  7. Nets
  8. Magic
  9. Bulls

Rylan Stiles:

  1. 76ers
  2. Bucks
  3. Raptors
  4. Celtics
  5. Pacers
  6. Heat
  7. Magic
  8. Bulls
  9. Nets
  10. Pistons
  11. Hawks
  12. Knicks
  13. Wizards
  14. Cavs
  15. Hornets

Chase Beal-Sharp:

  1. Milwaukee Bucks
  2. Philadelphia 76ers
  3. Boston Celtics
  4. Indiana Pacers
  5. Atlanta Hawks
  6. Miami Heat
  7. Brooklyn Nets
  8. Detroit Pistons

Aidan E:

Bucks, Sixers, Celtics, Raptors, Nets, Magic, Pacers, Heat

Matthew Hallet:

More from Thunderous Intentions

(NOT – in order)

Toronto Raptors
Milwaukee Bucks
Philadelphia 76ers
Indiana Pacers
Brooklyn Nets
Miami Heat
Orlando Magic
Detroit Pistons

Kevon Stewart:

  1. Bucks
  2. Sixers
  3. Celtics
  4. Pacers
  5. Nets
  6. Pistons
  7. Magic
  8. Hawks

Tyler Barger:

1. Milwaukee Bucks
2. Indiana Pacers
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Boston Celtics
5. New Jersey Nets
6. Toronto Raptors
7.  Miami Heat
8. Orlando Magic

Roundtable series links:

If you missed any of the prior roundtable segments in this series you can view them by clicking on the links below:

Segment 1: How the OKC Thunder capitalize on trades to return to prominence

Segment 2: OKC Thunder lineups, rotations, and reserve units

Segment 3: Homage to Russell Westbrook

Segment 4: Mixed bag – expectations, KD Angst, strengths/weaknesses, former players, etc

Segment 5: OKC Thunder and NBA awards segment

That wraps up our roundtable sessions in preparation to the 2019-20 season. Please give the Thunderous Intentions twitter site a follow as well as the individual members of our writing team.

Next. How Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can thrive together. dark

As much as we enjoyed this series we’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on the OKC Thunder and the topics discussed. Drop us a line in the comments section.

Thunderous Intentions writing team on their personal Twitter accounts:

Tamberlyn Richardson: @TTOTambz
Rylan Stiles – @Rylan_Stiles
Noah Schulte – @noahthepio
Kevon Stewart: @KJStewart93
Aidan E: @itsinfernoo
Matthew Hallet: @mervsports78
Tyler Barger: @weekendatbrodys
Chase Beal-Sharp – @thunderguad15
Shade Piper – @thelob_shade

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