Are the OKC Thunder the Favorites in the Western Conference? With Brandon Rahbar

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed Isaiah Hartenstein, traded for Alex Caruso and rounded out their 2024 NBA Draft class. Are the OKC Thunder now the favorites in the Western Conference? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren poised to make another leap? The Oklahoma City Thunder have vastly improved their team, who could be a massive threat to them? Breaking down Dillon Jones, Ajay Mitchell and Nikola Topic as well with Brandon Rahbar.
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#isaiahhartenstein #OKCThunder #ChetHolmgren

[@ScottRhodes-hu5jo]

I think the 4 we were looking for wears # 7 and is already there. And if you love “fresh legs” Chet - imagine how lethal he will be when he’s not getting beaten up by bigger centers on the defensive end.

[@Flamerunner451]

He’s still gonna be playing way more minutes at the 5 than the 4. He’s not half as much of a mismatch offensively when he’s guarded by big wings that are quicker than him instead of slower big guys

[@1O1O11]

Having one of the best defenses in the NBA and having one of the best benches in the NBA are two things that historically separated championship teams from the pack.

[@Flamerunner451]

If anyone thinks Chet is all of the sudden gonna be playing more at the 4, you’re thinkin way too simple about this team. Obviously they’ll run some double big lineups but he’s still gonna mostly be the 5

[@wolfbane610]

Nothing can stop the Thunder now. More defense, more rebounds, more size, more offense, and better 3 point shooting. 65+ wins and a championship.

[@RK.Anthony]

I don't remember where I read it, but I found an article around mid-season that said the Thunder should target Hartenstein and said we could get him for around $17.5. Lol, he ended up costing a bit more BUT as is my habit I found some footage and it immediately got my attention. He's a 7 footer, but he doesn't move like one. Extremely athletic and something the guys didn't focus on, extremely physical. I think there is a misconception that he can't shoot, but the truth is if a team drops off him and lets him take basically a practice shot, the big guy can knock it down. I also heard the other day that, like Oes, he was a G-League MVP. I still need to verify however. If you haven't really researched Hartenstein I highly recommend treating yourself because this guy is the real deal.

[@mykaelmarshall8204]

Ous was g league finals mvp! This is his last year to make the rotation! He looks so good tho.

[@rustytv3023]

The matchups/lineups will be interesting/amazing

[@ScottRhodes-hu5jo]

Mark is going to be a mad scientist

[@awethinic8379]

Yes and trying to figure out who, when, how, will we stagger rotations and completely change the offense while i hart is playing, will i hart start shooting the 3,

[@1O1O11]

@@awethinic8379 In this current era of the Thunder everyone takes the shot if the opening is there. The only time shooting is discouraged is when it is a low percentage / defender in your face / forced shot. It is just part of the development culture of this team.

[@rosshuxford6103]

Thanks gentlemen 🎉

[@TheMORTsterTTV]

What if Ous takes off?

[@nanbil]

We may not have an opera house in OKC, but we do have an opera company - painted sky opera - they perform at the Little Theater at the Civic Center Music Hall. Go see a production - seriously good.

[@awethinic8379]

Dilion wanted to be a first rounder and dropped out of last years draft because he bet in himself. presti made it happen otherwise he wasn’t. That faith and understanding a player has when they fulfill your dreams is a small thing but tremendous to a player and his development.

[@1O1O11]

Development is such an underrated thing in the NBA. Aaron Wigging and Lu Dort are two examples of guys that might not be in the NBA right now if they weren't given the chance to develop at OKC.

[@RK.Anthony]

Presti was going to get Dillon in the 2nd round last season so I think it's safe to say he was Presti's guy going into this draft. I really think Dillon will be a fast fan favorite.

[@awethinic8379]

@@RK.Anthony yup, he is loyal and a good person. Just like dort, no one believed in him and he did and look at what he became. Presti knows not to marry a beauty queen because as soon as someone else offers more money, poof they are gone. I think thats Presti’s magic sauce. Player development and young players on the fringe want to come here. Plus they are cheap. Great attitude, presti is the best small market GM.

[@joeldriver-sp2rg]

Hartenstein and Caruso will both start so Dort will get moved to the bench. I'll be interested to see how everything gels within the first couple of months of the season. Neither player demands the ball much or is much of a scorer but I would expect both to get about 25 minutes per game and get around 8-10 points each. It's going to be a really fun season for OKC fans just like last year was.

[@user-ju3bg9bw4n]

Hell no u tripping if u think Dort coming off the bench his defense alone is enough to keep him on the court on top of the his shooting getting better with every season

[@mario6821]

Thoughts on if its too late for Ous to fit into the rotation or will they keep him along because hes still on his “proper development timeline”? I just dont see where the minutes are for him going forward when I thought this could be the year

[@RK.Anthony]

Honestly, that is up to Oes. Nobody is going to hand him anything at this point. I am hoping being cut from his national team serves as a wake up call and he makes up his mind that he is going to take a spot in the rotation.

[@kevinscott9242]

This team should be atleast a 5game favorite over any team in Western Conf.

[@ChefMane]

We need to get Bobby Portis

[@mikielsahagun6054]

Now all we got to do is strap Chet Holmgren to a Golden Corral chair and have him pig out to get his weight up

[@williamroper5422]

Ugh Golden Corral? Is that what yall consider fine dining up in Oklahoma.

[@organlover1988]

@@williamroper5422 No, but it is a place that someone could consume some serious calories.

[@nechiebriggs5106]

IHART….sets great screens N TOPIC IS THE YOUNGEST/BEST at pick n roll….WE BOUT TO GET A CHIP😅😊

[@mykaelmarshall8204]

Topic won’t play till after this next season, I don’t think anyways

[@layback76]

Does the Hartenstein signing stop us from signing Alex Curoso long term?

[@LockedOnThunder]

Not at all! I believe the plan is still to extend him. Just as a note: Alex Caruso isn’t eligible to be extended until December so that’s why there’s been no news on that front!

[@mikielsahagun6054]

I say they start I❤Heart as the 5, Chet as power 4, JayDub at 3, Lue Dort at 2, and SGA at 1

[@sanket518]

Certainly not best in the west they needed to upgrade Dort position by trading him for Jonathan Isaac or Deni Advija

[@kraigcunningham2942]

Litteraly why?🤣 Both the players you named are on the same tier as Dort, if not just worse. He's one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and shoots 40 percent from three. Would be stupid to try and replace him.

[@sanket518]

@@kraigcunningham2942 Both players are better rebounder than dort because of height and are able to guard all five position while also shooting near 40 percent from 3

[@kraigcunningham2942]

@sanket518 Jonathon Issac actually averages less rebounds than Lu over the course of their 5 year careers, and while he has shot 35 on average from three, he also takes 3 less attempts than Dort. I doubt his efficency would carry over given the shot volume Dort gets. Dort is also (as I said before) one of the best perimeter defenders in the league who can guard 1-3 with ease, with him definitely being able to guard the bigger wings like Brandon Ingram or Luka (as best you can guard Luka). Neither one of the people you listed are considered "elite" in rebounding, shooting, or defending, which is why I would much rather have Dort becuase he is an elite defender with a good shot and good rebounding for his size. Both players you said would be a fine fit on the Thunder, but I wouldn't trade one for one in any case.

[@kenneththompson2221]

Smoking dog food we not trading Dort for nobody nobody has held more stars than him and Curso in the entire NBA and we have two bigs now for boards ...Dort is Thunder for life💯