Things have been going rather well for the OKC Thunder this year, as they are 30-5 and once again viewed as the team to beat in the NBA.
However, their success comes with an underlying trend they might need to course-correct if they wish to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy for a second consecutive campaign.
Last year, the Thunder were notoriously one of the most iso-ball-heavy teams in the league. This year, they have taken it to another level.
As a team, they are averaging just 259.7 passes made per game. Only one other team over the past 13 years has averaged less and gone on to win the Championship.
This year's Thunder team, however, is leaning into this play style, with superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spearheading the charge.
Shai currently averages the second-most isolation points per game in the NBA at 7.4 and is by far the most efficient when it comes to scoring with the basketball. In fact, he is currently on track for the most efficient iso season in the tracking era, ahead of his own record from last year.
The unnerving element of that stat, however, is the players behind SGA.
The next eight most efficient iso seasons come from players who didn't win the championship in that year.
Fans are left wondering if iso-ball play style of Thunder is sustainable
Given SGA's historical efficiency, it is fair to wonder whether or not Oklahoma City has become too reliant on its franchise player.
With little sharing of the basketball, OKC's offense has been left in Shai's hands more often than not, and if he is off, the entire offense is likely off.
When Gilgeous-Alexander shoots under 50 percent from the floor, the Thunder are just 4-3 this year.
This fact should sound alarm bells for Thunder fans, as two of the three losses came at the hands of the Spurs and the Wolves, both of which will likely stand in OKC's way in the playoffs.
Schematic adjustments might be in order if OKC wants to avoid becoming a one-dimensional offense.
Help could be on the way in the form of a familiar face
Of course, there is a silver lining to these concerns, as co-star Jalen Williams is finally beginning to find his form.
Having missed the first leg of the season on account of wrist surgery recovery, Williams took a while to shake the rust off.
Now 16 games into his season, however, Williams appears to be taking on more ball-handling duties. He has registered at least five assists in five of the last six games and is beginning to regain his shooting touch.
With Shai's sidekick getting back into the swing of things and Chet Holmgren playing like a true force down low, the Thunder could potentially see more scoring diversification moving forward.