The OKC Thunder are unequivocally one of the hottest teams in the NBA through the first quarter of 2024-25. Yet, despite this, they have not received the same amount of attention from the league's marketing team compared to their title-hopeful peers.
This is something that Oklahoma City has taken notice of, as they're now publicly starting to show their frustrations on the matter.
Heading into their NBA Cup Semifinal matchup against the Houston Rockets, the press had many questions for Jalen Williams and company, and, unsurprisingly, they were asked about their lack of media coverage.
Jalen Williams talks how recent disrespect to Thunder fuels them
During J-Dub’s media session, he was asked what he thought about a recent retweet by teammate Alex Caruso that highlighted the lack of nationally televised games for the Thunder, along with his opinions on the two games the Thunder have just recently added onto their schedule for nationally televised matchups.
"It's something we all as a team understand. Just being a small market team, it is something that comes with it. We also embrace it a lot. It kind of adds a chip to our shoulders to a certain extent. We also understand how the media and coverage works and stuff like that. It is something out of our control. All we can do is win games, and kind of make it to a point where you need to see us on TV. That's how we kind of look at it," Williams said.
The attitude the Thunder are bringing is, in fact, Williams' claim of having a proverbial chip on their shoulder, as they consistently go out intending to prove they are must-watch television and the future faces of the league.
They have all the makings to be that top team.
They sport a roster with an MVP-caliber player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, two budding starts in both Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, and a top-notch defense that will go down in the record books.
SGA also had some things to say when about the Thunder's lack of nationally televised games, though took a more humble approach by saying this is something every player dreams about, playing in front of the world.
Gilgeous-Alexander ended up avoiding the meat of that question but showed off his leadership and presence as a superstar with his answer.
Still, it is odd when looking at the NBA schedule to see the Thunder have very few marquee, nationwide matchups. The fact that they'll be home on Christmas Day rather than on the hardwood speaks volumes!
For a team that holds the third-best record on the season, it just seems as though the league does not want to market them, and the team is getting tired of it.
Their next nationally televised game after the NBA Cup is against the Orlando Magic on December 19, which will be aired on TNT.
For now, at least, they get ready to take on Houston in a TNT-aired exhibition for all to see.