Oklahoma
Will the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Defense Be Historically Good?
This season, armed with a robust collection of electrifying talent that warrants championship-or-bust expectations, the Oklahoma City Thunder may have the best defense in NBA history. This sentence is admittedly a bit presumptuous for a few reasons; whenever teams from different eras are compared, headaches follow. Crowns are forever subjective in this context: People can look at the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, or Orlando Magic (the top three finishers in defensive rating last year), wonder why they aren’t receiving the same type of speculative praise, and not necessarily be wrong. All are stout in their own ways.
But the Thunder are coming off of a year in which they boasted the fourth-best defense, and pretty much every personnel decision they made this summer was like polish on a scuffed gemstone. They shed the biggest liability in their starting five (Josh Giddey), preserved the rest of their young and improving roster (continuity matters!), and then added two standout defenders in Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein (hand-in-glove fits for OKC’s aggressive style of play who also fix its most glaring problem). For most organizations, this would be a triumphant coda. The final step after years of trial and error. In Oklahoma City, it feels more like a chrysalis has split.
Translation: When you look at how awesome they already were and combine it with a capacity for greatness that isn’t close to full, the Thunder have a defensive ceiling that, in theory, sits higher than everybody else’s. In an era in which it’s never been easier to score points, they won’t log a defensive rating that compares to that of the ’04 Pistons or ’08 Celtics. But relative to whatever next season’s league average is, they can lap the field in a way that stamps them among the all-time greats.
For opponents trying to strike, where’s the entry point? Who’s the weak link? The gaps between OKC’s armor plates are too narrow for these questions to matter. (Mismatch hunting won’t work, so don’t even try.) They rotate on a string and make multiple efforts, with A-plus grades in the following categories: speed, instincts, versatility, positional size, and general confidence. Last year’s mindset that read as if they were the ones on the attack—backed by a league-best defensive turnover rate and more loose balls recovered than any other team—can be amplified this season.
The compelling numbers don’t stop there. The Thunder allowed 0.95 points per possession against pick-and-rolls (including when a pass was made that led to an immediate shot), which, according to Synergy, led the league. Their 0.91 points per possession allowed in isolation ranked second.
From Lu Dort and Jalen Williams to Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren, this is a collection of candle snuffers who can extinguish any flame, whether shaky or bright.
Dort’s physicality worms into the head of whomever he’s guarding. Like every great on-ball defender, he tirelessly works to disrupt rhythm, turning unfettered drives into contested jumpers. What elevates Dort is how he visibly frustrates scorers who, when up against almost anyone else, hardly sweat—as was evident by the league-high 52 non-charge offensive fouls he drew last year. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is 6-foot-6 and plays defense like he wants the ball more than anyone else on the court (his 150 steals tied for the lead in the NBA last season, when he finished seventh for Defensive Player of the Year). It’s an incredible mindset that can’t be applied to every MVP candidate who holds immense offensive responsibility.
J-Dub’s wingspan is 9.75 inches longer than his height (the league’s third-widest difference); last year, he spent 30 percent of his playing time hounding the other team’s no. 1 option, which was tied for the 10th-highest mark in the league, per BBall Index. Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Kenrich Williams, and Jaylin Williams are all solid in their own ways and do not back down.
Wallace is Jrue Holiday’s mini-me, a nuisance for 94 feet with twitchy hips that complement even quicker reflexes. There aren’t five rim protectors more audacious than Holmgren, who defended more shots at the basket than everyone except Brook Lopez last season while holding opponents to the sixth-lowest field goal percentage among all players who contested at least 250 shots. Neither rookie missed a game last season or looked how a rookie normally does when initially confronted with the speed and strength of professional basketball. Both will be even better in year two.
That combination of youth and chemistry is a big reason why expectations for the Thunder’s defense can be historically high: It has so much room to grow, with green talents coming into their own and a winning scheme that stands to evolve. Last year, their 3-point defense inverted a stance that helped Boston go all the way: Instead of allowing above-the-break tries, Oklahoma City gave up the most corner 3 attempts in the league. (Overall, 70.9 percent of the shots they allowed were either at the rim or behind the arc, which ranked 23rd.)
Some of these ostensible blemishes were schematically necessary, dictated by Oklahoma City’s undersized personnel. OKC made up for this by showing considerable bodies in the paint, even off the strong side. Depending on who had the ball, they weren’t afraid to put themselves in rotation, blitzing a pick-and-roll or keeping the screener’s man high up on the floor. More often than not, their cohesive energy tilted the possession in their favor. The Thunder help and recover without hesitation, crystalizing a truism as you watch them play: Not all corner 3s are equal. That shot might be a highly efficient in a vacuum, but not when it’s contested, rushed, or coughed up from someone who isn’t much of a threat:
At the same time, Mark Daigneault, the NBA’s reigning Coach of the Year, probably doesn’t want his team to finish dead last in such an important category again. And part of why that happened was a toxic ripple effect from his team’s inability to keep opponents off the boards. (Only the Wizards were worse on the defensive glass.) Despite ranking second in half-court defense, the Thunder were exposed badly here; putback attempts were their Achilles’ heel all year long.
Enter Hartenstein, a 7-footer who steps into the Paycom Center with a three-year, $87 million contract, coming off of a season in which he finished second in defensive estimated plus-minus. This man will help turn a relatively feeble frontcourt into a snarling beast. There will be more drop coverage, fewer corner 3s, and less strain on the boards when he’s in the game. (The Knicks were one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the league with him on the court last year.)
How OKC uses him will be fascinating. They can go big with Holmgren—whose 3-point shot allows this to happen without any serious spacing issues on the other end—or bring Hartenstein off the bench and potentially see improvement in their team’s rim protection. Last season in New York, his impact on opponents’ field goal percentage at the rim ranked first among all bigs who logged at least 1,500 minutes. This is someone who essentially strips away whatever sense of desperation OKC endured last year. Health permitting, they can always have at least one top-shelf anchor roaming the paint.
If Hartenstein’s arrival wasn’t enough to sell you on the Thunder, I’ve saved the best for last. Caruso, who was exchanged for Giddey, has made two straight All-Defensive teams; adding him to a unit that was already robust is downright unfair. A cat burglar who knows how to pick a lock and when to kick a door down; Caruso goes long stretches legitimately looking like the most complete defender alive. He’s elite on the ball against multiple positions, hyper-intelligent, communicative at all times, and happy to sacrifice his body for the greater good. When Caruso is on the floor, his teammates move faster, try harder, and anticipate with more confidence. They also force a crap ton of turnovers—feast your eyes on this impact!—which will be particularly useful whether OKC is dialing back its aggression with bigger lineups or unlocking smaller groups that stalk passing lanes and make the game feel like it’s being played in a sauna.
Not every defense has a mutually beneficial relationship with the offense. The Thunder’s defense does. The players take care of the ball, make a ton of shots, and operate with a balanced floor. Scoring on them in transition was incredibly difficult last year, which is particularly impressive for a team that drives the ball as often as OKC does, always humming at a breakneck pace.
Altogether, the Thunder’s kinetic energy, flexibility, and horsepower let them match up with any potential threat in the Western Conference. They have enough size for the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Mavericks and a perimeter rampart formidable enough to deal with the Suns, Pelicans, Grizzlies, Warriors, and Clippers.
A very good defense is usually measured by its ability to solve problems and answer questions. But the all-time greats shove offenses on their heels and force them to adjust through a haze of split-second decisions. The Thunder can do both—proactive and reactive—while tying their opponent to a treadmill and turning the speed up as fast as it goes.
They can be the best at protecting the rim. They can be the best at getting back in transition. They can be the best at forcing turnovers. They can be the best at alternating pick-and-roll coverages on the fly. They can be the best at switching on the perimeter, inducing isolation, and then smothering the ball handler. They can be significantly better than they were on the defensive glass. And they can do it all without ever having to take a breath or compromise themselves for the sake of helping out their offense. Everyone in their rotation is a two-way player. It’s an embarrassment of riches.
The last time an established contender entered a season with two new elite defenders, it won the championship. Oklahoma City, the belle of every NBA prognosticator’s ball, is now well-positioned to do the exact same thing.
Oklahoma
RECAP: Democrat State Superintendent Candidates Address Oklahoma Education Issues in Primary Debate
In just two weeks, Oklahomans will take to the polls to place their vote for several races in the state’s primary elections.
Two Democratic candidates for Oklahoma state superintendent met Wednesday night to provide their vision for Oklahoma schools. News 9, News On 6, and NonDoc hosted “Education Equation” at the Embassy Suites in Norman, giving the candidates a chance to address key educational issues.
The debate participants were:
Wednesday night’s debate also helped kick off the annual conference for the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center, which is dedicated to driving transformation and increased academic achievement in state schools. OPSRC is the presenting sponsor of tonight’s debate, and we are grateful for their support.
Republican Debate Recap
News 9, News On 6, and NonDoc will hosted the Republican primary debate on Tuesday June 2nd.
Debate Recap and Highlights (Watch Full Debate Above)
Opening Statements
Craig McVay opened by readiing about a young boy who was able to translate for his family when they needed help from EMSA after a storm and said it showed the power of education for that young boy. He said he has visited all 77 Oklahoma counties and spoken with superintendents and school leaders in each one. McVay said what he continues to hear is that Oklahoma needs to change the conversation in order to change the direction of public education. He said the state needs an experienced leader who is qualified and certified.
Dr. Jennettie Marshall said she is the mother of three children, grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of three. She said she has worked for both the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, experiences she believes helped prepare her administratively for the role. Marshall is a graduate of Tulsa Community College, Langston University, Southern Nazarene University and Integrity Seminary. She described herself as a lifelong learner and noted that she has served on the Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education.
“What is the No. 1 Priority for Oklahoma’s next State Superintendent?”
Mr. McVay said his top priority is ensuring teachers have the resources they need and manageable class sizes to help them succeed.
Dr. Jennettie Marshall said the top priority is cleaning up the Oklahoma State Department of Education and ensuring it functions cohesively so it can properly support teachers and schools.
“What qualities make a good educator and what qualities make a good administrator? “
Mr. McVay pointed to teachers in attendance whom he has worked with over the years and credited them as models for others. As for administrators, he said the most important quality is presence, arguing they must be active and engaged in every aspect of their schools.
Dr. Marshall said a good educator must have a “heart to teach” and a genuine commitment to working with students. She said good administrators must understand teaching and be able to put systems in place that empower both students and educators.
“Do you support Senate Bill 1788’s reading reforms, which include the re-implementation of strict grade-level retention for those who are behind?”
McVay said he does not support the retention requirement because third grade is too late to identify and address reading deficiencies. He said schools need to identify struggling readers earlier and provide support as soon as possible.
Dr. Marshall said she opposes the retention provision for similar reasons. She said reading challenges must be addressed before third grade and that retention should not be punitive. Marshall also called for greater investment in early childhood education and daycare centers so they can serve as educational foundations rather than simply child care providers.
“We asked each candidate to bring a book with them that you would recommend for students’ summer reading lists.”
Craig McVay brought “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss. He also recommended “The Cost of Politics in Public Education” by Leon Phillip for Oklahoma voters.
Dr. Jennettie Marshall brought “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss. She said the book sends a message to Oklahoma students that they have a bright future ahead of them.
Related Story:
Local Non Profit Works To Help Kids Overcome Summertime Reading Slump
“Yes or No, would you want to restore a public comment period at OSBE meetings? 6″
Both Participants answered yes.
“If you become state superintendent, would you support efforts to add more licensed mental health counselors in schools, and would you include School Counselor Corps funding in your first budget request to the Oklahoma Legislature? Why or why not?”
Mr. McVay said he would advocate for restoring School Counselor Corps funding. He said that on his first day in office, he would submit a budget request to increase counselor funding and argued that no counselor should be responsible for more than 200 students.
Dr. Marshall said she supports directing additional funding to schools for licensed counselors. She said she has seen firsthand the impact counselors can have by helping students process trauma and address mental health challenges before situations escalate. She also discussed creating Parenting Academies to help parents remain engaged in their children’s education.
What policies or strategies would you push for to combat absenteeism? And how do you measure success?
McVay said chronic absenteeism is a difficult issue to address, but expanding access to counselors and school resource officers could help. He said some students face complex challenges, including health issues and difficult home situations, while others may not be properly accounted for. He said all of those issues need attention.
Dr. Marshall said schools must address the needs of families. She pointed to parents working multiple jobs, mental health challenges and unemployment as factors that can affect student attendance.
“As state superintendent, where you draw the line between state oversight and local control?”
Craig McVay said balancing local control ultimately comes down to state law. He cited the debate over instructional hours versus school days as an example. He noted that severe weather events have historically disrupted school schedules, while the state Department of Education remained focused on testing requirements. He said lawmakers addressed that issue by requiring schools to complete 1,080 instructional hours, giving districts flexibility in determining how to meet that requirement.
Dr. Marshall said she approved curriculum during her time as a school board member and believes those decisions should remain with local school districts.
“Do you agree with the decision to have longer school calendars with more days? Why or why not?”
Related Story: New law will mean more classroom time for Oklahoma students
McVay said he supports students spending more time in school but believes teachers and support staff should be compensated for the additional work. He expressed concern about the financial burden additional school days could place on smaller districts with limited budgets.
Dr. Marshall said she opposes adding more days to the school calendar, calling it a temporary fix that could create additional challenges. She said schools already struggle to hire support staff such as bus drivers and custodians and questioned how districts would pay those employees for extra days. She added that she might support the change if additional funding is provided.
“Four years ago, Oklahoma voters elected Ryan Walters to be state superintendent. His tenure was tumultuous, to say the least, and he resigned early to take a think tank job trying to dismantle teachers’ unions.
What did Mr. Walters do well as state superintendent that you would emulate, and what did he do poorly that you would not?”
McVay responded, “hell no,” when asked whether he would emulate Ryan Walters. He said Walters did nothing positive and instead focused on promoting himself and securing another job.
Dr. Marshall said there is nothing Walters did that she would seek to emulate. She said he was effective at disrupting public education but argued that no future superintendent should follow that example.
Related Story: Supt. Ryan Walters announces resignation
“What was your reaction to Mr. Mazzei’s saying Oklahoma schools or school unions are led by “radical socialists,” and have you decided whom you are supporting for governor?”
Related Story: GOP gubernatorial candidates talk tribes, schools, health care and corruption in debate
McVay said his reaction was similar to that of many Oklahoma school superintendents, whom he described as generally conservative or center-right. He said educators want what is best for their students and districts and argued that Mazzei’s comments resemble rhetoric frequently directed at educators during Ryan Walters’ tenure. McVay said he supports Cyndi Munson for governor.
Dr. Marshall said she opposes labeling people and argued that Oklahoma’s school leaders are committed to improving student outcomes and caring for children. She said such comments distract from the work of helping educators and students. Marshall said she supports Sen. Connie Johnson for governor.
Closing Statement Watch Below
During Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley era, the Sooners dominated Texas. Riley went 6–1 against the Longhorns, including a victory in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 1, 2018. However, things have been different over the last half-decade.
Brent Venables took over as the Sooners’ head coach in 2022, one year after Steve Sarkisian became the Longhorns’ lead man. Texas is 3–1 since Venables was appointed, with an average margin of victory over the Longhorns’ three wins of 32.3 points.
Texas is looking to extend its winning streak to three games for the first time since 1997–99. Oklahoma has one clear advantage, and while it has not mattered in previous matchups, it could define the 2026 edition.
Oklahoma’s Defense Could Cause Texas-Sized Problems
When Oklahoma’s defense lines up against the Texas offense, the two best units in the game will be on the field at the same time.
When it comes to the Red River Rivalry, it often feels as though preconceived notions about the team are irrelevant. The intensity and familiarity set both teams back to the basics. However, the matchup of the Longhorns’ offense and the Sooners’ defense will likely define this season’s rivalry game.
Last season, Oklahoma was carried by its defense to the College Football Playoff, with its offense doing just enough to get the job done. The Sooners were 79th in points per game (26.2) while allowing the seventh-fewest points per game (15.5).
There is optimism that Oklahoma’s offense will improve. Quarterback John Mateer could take the next step with Parker Livingstone and Trell Harris coming in to catch passes. However, the Sooners’ defense has been among the best in the country during Venables’ tenure and has come to characterize the program — a far cry from the Riley era.
Under Venables, Oklahoma has ranked inside the top 20 in each of the last three seasons in adjusted EPA per play allowed. Last season, it ranked second behind only Texas Tech, according to GameOnPaper. This includes top-three finishes in yards allowed per rush attempt (2.4, second) and sacks (45, third).
The Longhorns were productive on defense last season, ranking in the top 30 in points allowed per game. The defense was particularly impactful against the Sooners, dominating in all four quarters. In nearly every metric, though, Oklahoma outperformed its rival defensively last season.
|
Stat |
Texas Longhorns’ Defense (Rank) |
Oklahoma Sooners’ Defense (Rank) |
|---|---|---|
|
Rushing Yards Allowed per Attempt |
3.1 (12th) |
2.4 (2nd) |
|
EPA per Rush |
-0.05 (27th) |
-0.21 (2nd) |
|
Passing Yards Allowed per Attempt |
6.6 (38th) |
6.2 (22nd) |
|
EPA per Dropback |
-0.06 (33rd) |
-0.17 (9th) |
Over the last four matchups, however, this defensive production has been mostly meaningless. Texas is averaging 34 points per game and outpacing the Sooners’ season averages.
|
Season |
Oklahoma PPG Allowed |
Points Allowed vs. Texas |
Oklahoma YPG Allowed |
Yards Allowed vs. Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2022 |
30.0 |
49 |
461.0 |
585 |
|
2023 |
23.5 |
30 |
389.4 |
527 |
|
2024 |
21.5 |
34 |
318.2 |
406 |
|
2025 |
15.5 |
23 |
272.5 |
302 |
While this has been the case every season since Venables took over for OU, the Sooners have also steadily improved defensively. This has decreased the margin for error on the Longhorns’ side. Texas needs to take advantage of every opportunity it gets.
Last season, Texas missed multiple field goals. The Longhorns avoided disaster, though, by winning the turnover battle 3–0 and getting relentless pressure on Mateer. This season, they may not be as fortunate, as the Sooners will test the new-look Longhorns offense
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A contentious debate over water and growth is intensifying in Yukon as residents and city leaders grapple with the long-term costs of supplying major industrial projects, including a data center that uses up to 3 million gallons a day.
The discussion spilled into another packed Yukon City Council meeting, where residents learned how strained and expensive the city’s water outlook could be over the next 25 years.
Emotions ran high, with one resident comparing city leadership to a Nazi regime.
Yukon’s water supply plan examines eight options, including five aquifers, non-potable reuse water, direct potable reuse water, and purchasing 2 million gallons a day from Oklahoma City.
Projected costs exceed $200 million, with millions more expected over the next 25 years for operations and maintenance.
The data center was part of the conversation from the start of the water study, which began in late 2024.
The facility uses up to 3 million gallons a day to cool its servers. One option discussed for meeting that demand is a non-potable supply providing 3 million gallons a day, with $55.9 million in capital costs and a required 18-inch pipe stretching 3.5 miles.
The option is recommended to meet great industrial demands, including a data center.
Council member Rick Cacini said his focus is on residents’ needs rather than industrial users. Cacini said, “We had water problems 8 years ago when I started, and we have water problems today.”
Another council member raised the idea of taking cost out of the equation when considering whether to supply water to the data center.
Residents spoke out one after another against the data center after hearing details of the water plan and costs.
One resident referenced Piedmont, where two data center proposals were tabled on Monday. Another resident said, “It’s not a good deal for us, and the other cities know it already.”
Some residents escalated their criticism of city leadership. One resident said, “I voted for Pillmore, and I regret that vote more than anything probably I’ve ever done in my life because this feels like some nazi regime.”
Others called for city leaders to be recalled. “We will collect those signatures within 30 days, and we’re gonna remove you.”
Concerns also grew over the data center agreement, centered on the purchaser having an “out” while the seller does not.
The city manager was said to have gotten something wrong in August.
The meeting ended with Cacini threatening to sue Mayor Brian Pillmore over comments made in an early May meeting.
Pillmore was not at the meeting, saying he was on vacation with his family.
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