Dynamic Duo Continues To Emerge In Oklahoma City

The perfect groups within the NBA have celebrity duos, if not trios. The best way the fashionable recreation is performed, it’s all about having depth within the common season to beat adversity whereas additionally having elite expertise on the prime to make a deep playoff push.

Regardless of being the youngest staff within the NBA, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder seemingly have discovered their star duo of the longer term. Particularly for the reason that All-Star break, veteran Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rookie Jalen Williams have been one of the efficient pairs within the league.

These two will finally be a part of a trio sooner or later down the highway, alongside Chet Holmgren or one other future acquisition through draft or commerce, at which level this Oklahoma Metropolis staff will possible be competing for a championship.

Not solely have Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams put up nice numbers for the reason that break, however they’ve additionally impacted successful at a excessive degree. The Thunder are 8-3 over this span when each of them play.

Whereas these two have been the headliners of the staff of late, it’s actually been a gaggle effort general. Mark Daigneault really deserves NBA Coach of the Yr recognition, as he’s taken a staff projected to complete within the backside three of the NBA to a prime ten web ranking on the season. The Thunder are nonetheless legitimately in play for residence court docket benefit within the first spherical of the playoffs with just some weeks left within the season.

Not solely is OKC overachieving beneath the route of Daigneault, however he’s getting essentially the most out of each single participant. All three rookies on the staff are making contributions and he’s even discovered methods to combine a number of veterans into the lineup all year long to carry out at a excessive degree.

The Thunder don’t have a starter over 24 years outdated, but they’re .500 on the season and inside two video games of the No. 4 seed within the Western Convention. The staff is absolutely purchased in, which can is a credit score to Daigneault and his employees.

Whereas each participant on the roster has made an influence this season, it’s really been Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams which have moved the needle of late.

Because the break, Gilgeous-Alexander has inserted himself into no less than being part of the MVP dialog whereas averaging 35.0 factors, 7.2 assists and 6.5 rebounds per recreation. When an MVP resume, his means to hold such a younger staff to the postseason given expectations is extraordinarily spectacular. No matter who Oklahoma Metropolis is taking part in, Gilgeous-Alexander is sort of all the time one of the best participant on the ground.

Alongside him, we’ve seen the shocking ascension of Williams, who was the No. 12 general choose within the 2022 NBA Draft. Whereas he impressed early within the season, he’s turned it up over the previous month as he makes his case for NBA Rookie of the Yr.

Since taking part within the Rising Stars Problem in the course of the break, he’s averaged 19.2 factors, 6.2 boards and 4.3 assists per contest whereas taking pictures 40% from past the arc. He’s one in all 57 gamers throughout the league averaging no less than 19 factors over this span. Williams additionally ranks prime ten in factors, rebounds and assists amongst rookies whereas being prime ten in subject aim, free throw and 3-point effectivity.

It goes past the field rating with regards to Williams’ influence as a primary yr star. Not solely is he wildly efficienct, however he’s additionally one of many extra versatile younger gamers within the league. Throughout completely different factors of his rookie marketing campaign, the 21-year-old has performed all 5 positions on each ends of the court docket.

Whereas the Thunder will proceed to herald extra excessive upside expertise within the coming years by way of the draft and trades, it seems the cornerstone duo is undamaged with Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams. As quickly as subsequent season with the debut of Holmgren, Oklahoma Metropolis may really declare itself to the league, if that doesn’t already occur the 2022-23 marketing campaign.