It seemed like a new year, but nothing. Against i Los Angeles Lakers senza LeBron James, Anthony Davis e D’Angelo Russell The Oklahoma City Thunder they have lost by 123-117 their fifth game in a row and the sixth in the last 7 play, perhaps irrevocably losing ground also due to the play-in race.
Race that evidently does not interest the Thunder of Sam Prestiwith the star of the team Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that has missed the last 4 games for a injury to the abdominal muscles and finished in the meantime as well in thehealth and safety protocolwhen we almost forgot it existed.
OKC is 0-5 record since the restart after the All-Star Gamealmost a declaration of intent.
Like that of suffer 123 points from the ex of the day Dennis Schroderyes Troy Brown Jr it’s yes Austin Reavesgranting ai Lakers 39 free throws and on the other side shooting from three points with Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Carneade Lindy Waters III. 11 for 40 to go for the Thunder from beyond the arc.
Il timing of defeats by Thunder is diabolical, almost. A KO against the Suns still without Durant, an overtime defeat against rivals Utah Jazz and against the Lakers, and two straight losses against the Sacramento Kingsil record play today 28-34, even worse than the poor Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers have no interest in losing, have no 2023 draft picks to protect, and play with desperation to nab play-ins. Players such as Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, Dennis Schroder, Brown Jr and Austin Reaves also play for their own contracts.
The youngsters of the Oklahoma City Thunder don’t have these problems yet, but it’s kind to see one today team that up at the break for the All-Star Game he had proved to Gilgeous-Alexander that he could try to at least play-in. Before essentially stopping playing (pardon, “starting to develop young people”), OKC had won 6 of 7 and 7 of 10 games in Januarybefore running into heavy defeats against the Houston Rocketsi New Orleans Pelicans and a tremendous boatload (141-114) against Klay Thompson and his Warriors.
The warnings that the street of tanking had already been undertaken there had also been the trade deadlinewhen with two minor but significant trades the Thunder had Downloaded Darius Bazley to the Suns in exchange for Dario Saric’s expiring contract, e Mike Muscala to the Boston Celtics basically for free. Finally, giving minutes and space to players still to be done like Jaylin Williams, Waters III and Aaron Wiiggins was a declaration of intent.
The data remains of having observed for 4 months in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and All-Stara potentially quintet player All-NBA in a team that closes its doors for the third year in a row and goes on vacation at the end of February. Victor Wembanyama is coming, Chet Holmgren he’s only debuting next year, and OKC has piled up so many future first draft picks which will be considered at the forefront of the market for the next disgruntled superstar eager for a change of scenery.
All very noble intentions, hoping that Sam Presti I’m not defying fate too openly…
