five bold predictions for the OKC Thunder this season
By Alex Mcewen
The OKC Thunder will have one All-Star this season
The smell is in the air, the talent is there, and the hype is not far behind. Oklahoma City is going to have an All-Star representing the franchise at the annual event in February 2023 in Salt Lake City. The two biggest questions are how many and who?
It feels at least a year premature for the Thunder to have a player outright voted in by the fans or selected by the coaches. They will likely need help from commissioner Adam Silver when he names an injury replacement, assuming there will be a need for injury replacement selections.
However, Giddey could have an opportunity to get voted in by fans because of his Australian roots. International fan bases rally behind native athletes in the NBA. Unexpected players have nearly been voted in as a starter by fans in the past, such as Zaza Pachulia in 2016. The situation was so drastic, the NBA changed how All-Star voting worked going forward. The league took 100 percent control away from fans, giving players and media members their own votes to help determine the All-Star game starters.
Giddey would be much more deserving than Pachulia in 2016 of an All-Star selection, but the example remains the same; there are instances international players may receive an added voting boost.
Of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a strong case to be an All-Star this season after averaging 24 points per game a year ago and looks on track to do the same or better this year.
Editors note: 4, I agree OKC should have an All-Star this year in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, so the only reason this is not a one is due to the fact it will take a few things to break right. Even SGA agrees team success should play a part in it.