Through 19 games played, the OKC Thunder remain the best in the west as they boast the top-record in the standings at 15-4.
Despite all the injuries Mark Daigneault's club has endured, they've remained dominant on both ends of the floor, leading the league in defensive rating (102.8), net rating (10.8), and overall plus-minus (+10.7).
From headliners like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams playing up to their star statuses to phenomenal role players and surprise rookies like Ajay Mitchell breaking onto the scene and providing crucial on-court contributions, Oklahoma City projects as one of the most well-rounded squads the NBA has to offer.
While talent certainly has had a significant impact on their top-seeded status, following their thriller of a win over the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night Isaiah Hartenstein delved into why, exactly, this Thunder team is so special.
Thunder big Isaiah Hartenstein breaks down what 'makes us great'
"Some guys, I'll be honest, they play selfishly. There are some guys in the league who just kind of play more for themselves they don't play for the team. don't. They're very team focused and I think that's what makes us great," Hartenstein said.
Hartenstein would further extrapolate his assessment of OKC's selflessness by specifically highlighting the overall defensive tenacity of the ball club's stars, saying "They don't take plays off."
"I think a lot of NBA stars, they kind of take a lot of plays off defensively. They don't and I feel like that's what makes them very unselfish," Hartenstein said.
There's certainly some serious merit behind Hartenstein's praise of his star running mates' drive to put forth high-end efforts on the defensive end.
All three of the Thunder's stud trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren place within the top 15 in defensive rating out of all starters who have logged double-digit games played.
Without such filters, Hartenstein also finds himself as a top-12 talent in this department out of all starters on the year, boasting a defensive rating of 98.6 when serving as the primary pivot for Oklahoma City.
Frankly, I-Hart's addition to the team's rotation has been an all-out game-changer for the Thunder, especially considering the rest of their big man depth has been completely decimated by injuries during these early stages of the campaign.
Since being medically cleared to return following a month-long shelving with a fractured hand, Hartenstein has provided sensational contributions in virtually every possible way, as he's dropping all-around averages of 14.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.8 blocks on 57.1 percent shooting from the field.
Despite his impressive production, however, all throughout his time in the Sooner State Hartenstein has constantly made it a point to hype up his teammates and the Thunder as a whole rather than boast about his own accomplishments.
This selfless attitude seems to fit right into the unselfish nature he clearly cherishes about OKC.