OKC Thunder round table: What former teammate will feast in playoffs?

The 2021 playoffs begin today with half the 16 teams playing and the other half starting their series on Sunday. While the OKC Thunder aren’t participating in the postseason several former players are in the mix with many on teams favored to hoist the Larry O’B trophy.

In the East, the Brooklyn Nets are viewed by many as title favorites boasting the most talent on paper but will have a tough road needing to beat the Celtics one of the Bucks or Heat, and likely the 76ers who have the easiest path to the Conference Finals.

Of all the Eastern playoff teams the Nets have the most former Thunder players. Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Jeff Green were part of the early years with OKC while Timothe Luwawu-Cabbarot was on a more recent iteration.

Another Eastern favorite, the 76ers feature George Hill who played only 14 games with the Thunder prior to a thumb injury sidelining him. Nerlens Noel and the Knicks will try to continue their Cinderella season. The Heat bring momentum to their first-round series clicking at precisely the right time. They feature two former Thunder teammates although one never played a game for OKC (Trevor Ariza) and another who won’t play due to injury (Victor Oladiopo).

Danilo Gallinari is the veteran voice on the Hawks’ very deep squad. And of course former favored son of the OKC Thunder, Russell Westbrook will try to lead his Wizards to an unprecedented upset of the top seed. Only two Eastern playoff teams are without a former OKC Thunder player (Bucks and Celtics).

In the West, the Clippers are the squad with the most former Thunder players led by (cough) self-titled ‘Playoff P’ (Paul George) plus Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson, and Patrick Patterson. They went 4-6 down the stretch and are eager to erase the sting of their Disney bubble choke job.

The top-ranked Jazz has Ersan İlyasova on the roster. Former captain Chris Paul along with Abdel Nader and dancing specialist Cameron Payne will be one of the few second seed underdogs ever. Portland has Carmelo Anthony and Enes Kanter while the defending champions feature Dennis Schroder and Markieff Morris.

Western clubs without any former Thunder players are the Nuggets, Mavericks, and Grizzlies.

OKC Thunder season end roundtable – Former teammate to follow in playoffs

Removing Oladipo and Ariza from the mix that’s 20 former OKC Thunder players on 11 of the 16 playoff squads. And that leads to Intentions next two-part round table question…

Question 5: Which former Thunder player are you most excited to follow in the postseason? As a follow-up which former teammate do you think will have the greatest postseason success?

Tamberlyn Richardson – @TTOTambz

I’m pulling for Chris Paul and his Suns to upset the Lakers in the first round. Phoenix finished second in the West and in the league but for all their success have to face the defending champions in the first round.

In his inaugural season with the Suns, Paul was masterful adding to his reputation of being the best leader in the business. Just as  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Darius Bazley benefited last year he replicated those efforts with Devin Booker,  Mikal Bridges, and Deandre Ayton in Phoenix.

Once again, CP3 was a clutch time killer and worked with Monty Williams to get the Suns back in the playoffs after a 10-year absence. Countless beloved superstars in NBA history failed to win a title and at 36 it’s likely Paul won’t have many more chances.

For Phoenix to get out of the first round they’ll have to overcome so many odds including the officials. That was made clear in the Lakers – Warriors play-in game where LA was helped to win a match the Dubs deserved.

Plus I’m annoyed the Clippers purposely lost games to avoid a potential (at the time) first-round series with the Lakers and to be in the opposite bracket. It hurt the Thunder because they lost out on an opportunity to be in that coveted bottom three (best odds) for the NBA Draft Lottery.

As for which former player will have the best postseason success Kevin Durant is likely to win that honor by a large margin. That said, I think Serge Ibaka (a long-time favorite of yours truly) could be an x-factor for the Clippers as he returns from missing 30 games due to a lower back injury. He was key to the Raptors run two seasons ago and got better in each series.

Mark Nilon – @MarkNilon_NBA

I’d say I’m most excited to see how Dennis Schroder produces moving forward.

Already known as a productive sixth man off the pine, the eighth-year guard is trying to continue his ascent towards potential high-cost free-agent acquisition this summer and, thus far, his production has him knocking on the door (15.4 points, 5.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals).

Moving forward, it will be his performance in the play-in and the postseason (should they make it) with the defending NBA Champions, Los Angeles Lakers, that will determine whether said door will be opened or not.

As far as which former OKC Thunder teammates I believe will have the greatest postseason success, I’d have to say it’ll be Paul George.

Last year’s tumultuous playoff run for the perennial All-Star, which was highlighted by the Clippers’ second-round collapse and his poor shooting (including a side of the backboard clank in crunch time) in Game seven, is something we’re sure still stings a guy who’s referred to as Playoff-P.

On the type of star-studded team he finds himself on, coupled with his own star status in the league, the 2021 playoffs are a big deal for both the Clips and PG-13.

Both individually and as a unit, I believe George will see a great run.

Brandon Dale: @MrOKCtober

I believe it is a toss-up between James Harden and Kevin Durant. They both are coming off of injuries that have delayed their progress all season.

But if either of them can get some continuity in the postseason, I think the Larry O’Brien trophy is theirs to lose. Harden also has the most to prove during postseason play due to subpar performances in years past.

Shontelle Matano: @ShontelleMatano

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I’m most excited to follow OKC legend, Russell Westbrook. It’s going to be epic to see him chase a championship.

What he’s achieved this season is extraordinary. And I can’t help but just feel that this year is different. That the fire burning inside of him is stronger than ever. That this could be the year that he goes all the way to the promised land. The triple-doubles continue and though his team will be heading into a win-or-go-home situation against the Pacers, I know that they’ve got what it takes.

As for who I believe will have the greatest postseason success, I’m going to say Westbrook again. There’s absolutely nothing stopping him and his Wizards teammates who have followed his mentality and lead this season.

Matthew Hallett – @mervsports78

I am excited to see how far Danilo Gallinari can take the Atlanta Hawks. He is coming off the bench and shooting the lights out.

The player who will have their greatest postseason success will be James Harden. The caveat here is the Brooklyn Nets will have to play some defense though.