Some may consider the greatest strength of this OKC Thunder team to be defense. Others might say roster depth.
However, above all else, it's their elite development skills that truly separate them from the rest of the pack, and, quite frankly, many of the all-time squads that have come before them.
This historically great trait was put on full display during Monday's 119-103 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
As a result of being short-handed due to a slew of injuries to several key players, such as Chet Holmgren (back), Isaiah Hartenstein (calf), and Aaron Wiggins (adductor), coach Mark Daigneault leaned rather heavily on both once-upon-a-time and current G League talents to log significant minutes to make up for their abundance of absences.
From second-round rookie Brooks Barnhizer logging 16 minutes of action during his first call-up game in two weeks to former undrafted, current two-way big man Branden Carlson receiving the first starting nod of his NBA career down at the pivot, the Thunder dug deep into their crop of developmental talents in the contest.
Excitingly enough, they all rose to the occasion to help get Oklahoma City back into the win column.
However, for those who have paid attention over the years, this shouldn't come as all that great a surprise.
Thunder development players stepped up against Grizzlies
Along with these aforementioned risers, Kenrich Williams, another former development league resident, managed to shine astonishingly bright while filling in the vacant minutes left behind by Holmgren, Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams (heel).
What transpired as a result of this uptick in usage was ultimately his best performance on the season so far, as he absolutely stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, and four steals while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and finishing with the highest box plus-minus rating of +21 on the night.
Following the contest, Williams, along with Carlson, who wrapped with 11 points and three boards on 50.0 percent shooting from deep, and Barnhizer, who registered a +9 plus-minus, were all praised by coach Daigneault for their "great professionalism" and how they've done a "great job" of both staying ready and improving their games within the program.
With their sensational draft and overall scouting skills, the Thunder have managed to create an MLB-esque farm league with their developmental squad in the OKC Blue.
Without question, this was once again put on full display during their commanding win over Memphis.