Opinion: Oklahoma City Should Add Another Center Out of Necessity

After Oklahoma Metropolis’s dwelling loss to Joel Embiid and the 76ers, the Thunder’s obvious weaknesses appear to be looming giant. An already skinny entrance courtroom, OKC is desperately lacking the roster’s makeshift facilities in Aleksej Pokusevski and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, however even past the accidents, the Thunder’s lack of a real heart is proving pricey.

Oklahoma Metropolis remains to be (clearly) a methods away from actual playoff rivalry, however even outdoors of advocating for wins, the Thunder want an enormous man on the roster. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ascension to stardom has allowed the Thunder to hold round as one of many NBA’s middling groups. If a current slide continues, although, this season might shortly change to the identical tempo of the final two seasons.

The loss to Philadelphia makes it three losses in 4 video games. Including insult to harm, the losses got here throughout a stretch the place the Thunder had a critical likelihood to make up some floor. The loss to the 10-27 Charlotte Hornets, adopted by Saturday evening’s blowout, Oklahoma Metropolis now not has any momentum in any way. And not using a huge man, it’s easy. The Thunder get bullied.

In Charlotte, the Hornets entrance courtroom loved a stroll within the park. P.J. Washington netted 25 factors on 10-of-13 taking pictures, Miles Plumlee added 14 factors and 9 rebounds on 6-of-7 taking pictures and Jalen McDaniels chipped in 12 factors off the bench. Rookie heart Mark Williams, who appeared in his sixth ever NBA recreation towards the Thunder, scored career-highs throughout the board with 17 factors and 13 rebounds, recording an ideal 7-of-7 from the ground.

Whereas Philadelphia, with Joel Embiid, is a a lot totally different look than the Hornets, Oklahoma Metropolis nonetheless struggled to restrict the massive man’s affect on the sport. Embiid recorded a uncommon triple double of 16 factors, 13 rebounds and ten assists, showcasing his means to take action many alternative issues. Montrezl Harrell additionally netted 9 factors and 6 rebounds off the bench. The 76ers scored 69 first-half factors and led by 26, whereas the Thunder spent the rest of the competition making an attempt to make it look just a bit bit nearer.

If Pokusevski and Robinson Earl stay out for an prolonged time period, Oklahoma Metropolis ought to do no matter it takes so as to add an enormous man to the roster. The crew can solely study and develop a lot when hindered by such an enormous drawback from tip-off. Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander want an enormous man to advance sure components of their particular person ability units, and rising as a core could be best.

In fact, Chet Holmgren was speculated to be that piece earlier than happening with a season-ending harm. However now that it’s occurred, and Oklahoma Metropolis’s entrance courtroom took two extra sizable blows, the Thunder should adapt and add one other physique on the roster. Not for successful functions, to not push for the play-in, however merely to play basketball. Oklahoma Metropolis’s lack of depth on the place is hurting greater than serving to.

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