A Season Of Recognition: The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Individual Honors And A Promising Trajectory

It took a true team effort for the Oklahoma City Thunder to win 40 games last season and ultimately finish a single win away from making the playoffs. However, the individuals that drove that success also deserve recognition.

That was validated over the past few weeks as the NBA handed out individual awards and accolades, many of which members of the Thunder were near the top of the list. Let’s take a look at just how many of these honors that Oklahoma City had its fingerprints on following a stellar season.

NBA Most Valuable Player

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander entered the 2022-23 campaign without ever being an NBA All-Star. However, he emerged as one of the best guards in the NBA and earned a spot in Salt Lake City at the All-Star Game, followed by getting recognition as an MVP candidate.

While Joel Embiid deservedly won the award with 915 points on the voting ballot, Gilgeous-Alexander finished fifth with 46 points of his own. He earned the most votes of any guard in the NBA, indicating he had the best season of any backcourt player across the entire league.

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.4 points, 5.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game in the first season of his new rookie max contract and continues to be the face of the franchise.

NBA Rookie of the Year

Another primary reason Oklahoma City took a huge step forward this season was the play of rookie Jalen Williams. Although he was taken No. 12 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, he ended up being one of the best first-year players in this class last season.

Williams earned 241 points in the Rookie of the Year race, which wasn’t enough to overtake Paolo Banchero (494 points) who took home the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy.

The Santa Clara product finished his rookie campaign posting averages of 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while playing nearly every position on the floor. He was the third rookie the Thunder selected on draft night, but could end up being one of the best players on this roster when it’s all said and done.

Kia NBA Most Improved Player

Gilgeous-Alexander’s ascension this season had him firmly in the running for being the most improved player in the league all season long. Lauri Markkanen (430 points) took home the George Mikan Trophy as the most improved, but Gilgeous-Alexander’s 289 points was a close second.

The Thunder star improved his scoring output by nearly seven points per contest while increasing his efficiency from all over the floor and also taking his defense to a whole new level.

NBA Coach of the Year

When Oklahoma City kicked off its rebuild several seasons ago, Mark Daigneault was a relatively unknown coach to most NBA fans. However, his ability to get the most out of every player on the roster and truly get everyone’s buy-in has been a huge reason the Thunder has improved at a rapid rate.

While OKC won 16 more games than the season prior, Daigneault wasn’t able to win the Red Auerbach Trophy as the NBA’s top coach. Mike Brown deservedly won the award with a unanimous 500 points, ending the Sacramento Kings’ nearly two-decade playoff drought and led them to being one of the best teams in the NBA while Daigneault finished second with 164 points.

NBA Clutch Player of the Year

De’Aaron Fox took home the Jerry West Award as the NBA’s most clutch player, earning 460 points on voting ballots. Gilgeous-Alexander was a top nominee for this award, but finished seventh in voting with 31 points.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 128 total points in the clutch during the 2022-23 season and made key plays on both ends. This included significant defensive stops in the final minutes of several contests and multiple game-winning shots.

All-NBA Teams

As expected, Gilgeous-Alexander earned All-NBA First Team honors, finishing with 407 points on ballots which was the most among guards. This further proves he had the most impressive season of any guard in the entire NBA.

Alongside him on this team included several of the top players in the league, including Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum. Gilgeous-Alexander’s trajectory is extremely promising, especially at 24 years old.

All-Rookie Teams

Just like in the Defensive Player of the Year vote, Jalen Williams earned the second most points on All-Rookie ballots. Banchero finished with 200 points, while the Thunder rookie guard earned 199 of his own.

Furthermore, his teammate Jaylin Williams also earned seven points. The rookie center finished with the 15th most votes, but didn’t make an All-Rookie team. In theory, if there were a third team he would have landed in the final spot. Being selected in the second round, this proves he is trending to be a steal of a selection.

NBA All-Defensive Teams

Once again, Lu Dort did not earn NBA All-Defensive Team honors despite being one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. However, he did earn nine points on ballots and finished fifth among guards that missed the cut. He was ninth overall on the list of players that didn’t make first or second team, which is still impressive.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s defense was also recognized, as he earned three All-Defensive votes this season.

Although no members of the Thunder went home as a winner of any solo award, the ability to earn votes speaks volumes to the trajectory and ceiling of the youngest roster in the NBA last season.