OKC Thunder: three bold predictions for 2021-22 season

The OKC Thunder revolution will be televised

Despite their poor record, the Oklahoma City Thunder are going to play a fun style of basketball. When Derrick Favors is off the floor, the Thunder will be playing a small ball style that would see the tallest player in their lineup be 6’9. Each of the five players will be a good rebounder, play makers, and able to push the pace.

The question is how good can they be defensive, or at least ending possessions at that end of the floor. The up-tempo, three-point shooting, putting pressure on the defense style will have stretches where it is jaw-droppingly good. Due to the players who are trying to execute the style, it will also have moments that it looks pretty poor.

OKC Thunder general manager Sam Presti and head coach Mark Daigneault view this as the way of the future. It is comparable to the Oakland A’s during the “Moneyball” era, a small market team trying to build a contender using market inefficiencies.

This playstyle is one I think could work and give Oklahoma City an edge going forward. How fast with other teams take notice and adapt their team-building strategies to conform to the ultra mature, skillful, and savvy players that create for others and thus themselves vs the hyper-athletic super scorers? Will the NBA always been incredibly specialized or will the wave of having everyone being able to do a little bit of everything catch on?

Despite their likely well-below .500 record, I think the OKC Thunder playstyle will captivate the NBA and re-shape how the league views players. Small-ball does not have to look like the Bubble Rockets, it can be more viable.

What are your top bold predictions for the OKC Thunder this season?