The OKC Thunder Master Plan Has Got The NBA Confused

[@riroballs]

Do the Thunder need a Trade to win the West? 🤔

[@Mikey22LR]

Good take. If they're going to trade, I feel they need another tall, aggressive rebounder in the paint. Olivier Sarr fits that description, but doesn't seem to get enough minutes.

[@chuckcheesy88]

btw I like what you said that maybe the right player with the right contract is not there yet so why trade just to trade..

[@riroballs]

Sarr has been really solid when Coach played him while JWill was out 💪

[@Wrestle_Kingdom]

To win the west absolutely because in a playoff setting against certain teams we getting destroyed

[@JazzYachtrocker]

No. Keep growing and progressing together with their young core.

[@chuckcheesy88]

thanks for spitting facts and for the Josh Giddey appreciation!! ThunderUp

[@riroballs]

He's been solid given his new role

[@MP-ct7uk]

Josh is integral to this team. He needs more time on court. Its about time somebody, anybody, recognizes it. Thanks.

[@riroballs]

Josh Giddey deserves the recognition man! The real ones know it

[@josiahpadfield5040]

I think it’s his defense. He’s the weakest link when it comes to playing defense.

[@MP-ct7uk]

@@josiahpadfield5040 I can see that, but they are a pretty good defensive team. Josh is the best defensive rebounder with Chet. Offensively the thunder has Chet and the fact that the thunder is the best shooting team in the league, that's why they score so regularly. Josh has his role. He can move a team up the floor quickly. His inbound passing is awesome. Some of the best players ever have major flaws. Steph is defence, Joubert is outside shooting, Shaq is Free throwing. Josh is not horrible at D. He gets a lot of turnovers, lots of steals. His value out weighs any real issues in my opinion. He's just a kid. Hell get better. This new dynamic with Chet is going to take time for all of them. They are winning.

[@donuteyes]

i watch every thunder game, and he's plateaued. i would trade giddey for andre drummond in a heartbeat.

[@josiahpadfield5040]

@@MP-ct7uk at this age, you won’t really teach defense though. It’s all about will. But I definitely hear where you’re coming from 100%. I just think if we had to give up one piece with draft picks, I believe it would be Giddy pretty fast. He just seems like the odd man out sometimes. I do believe the team is solid where it’s at anyways. I don’t think the team even needs to think about making a move right now. But if I could get a 3 and D guy to replace Giddy, then you still have Miocic on the bench who is a wizard with spreading the ball too. That could really lead to something.

[@davinsmith6929]

Finally, Giddey is crucial.......watch what he does off the ball. He runs rings around every team to free up EVERYONE. Despite Chet sharing the stats. And he is only 21 rofl, people wanting to trade him are off their nuts. Cheers from Aus, great synopsis

[@riroballs]

Thanks a lot man!

[@alimfuzzy]

Giddey doesn't get much highlight footage so most don't think he's a good scorer, but he's solid. He's been getting a solid 13 off 20 mins... give him 30 mins and he'll give you 20pts. Also per minutes he is the best rebounder and assists on the team.

[@MP-ct7uk]

Absolutely, he's a point guard. Plain and simple. Chet is great but not a point guard. OKC stopped hitting the paint and dishing out as much. The bench players are shooting too much and doing nothing else. Josh sits on the wing out of position for 20 odd minutes a game. He got a triple double in 20 minutes the other day. When was the last time a thunder player got one. He's a leader of this team. I don't know what coach is thinking. He's not very happy.

[@alimfuzzy]

@@MP-ct7uk totally agree, except I would still say SGA is the leader... Giddey is the facilitator. My thinking is he's getting less minutes because his defence has been going down. You watch him his effort in guarding is reserved at best.

[@riroballs]

I agree. the skill set he brings to the team is invaluable. There's more to his game than scoring and he's also been getting buckets efficiently as of late

[@MP-ct7uk]

@@alimfuzzy I totally agree. He's a leader not the leader. Josh I mean. Shai is the obvious leader. No doubt.

[@MP-ct7uk]

@@alimfuzzy look mate, I know Josh's Dad. He's a coach. He was coached by one of Australias best coaches ever, Lindsay Gaze, he's in the American hall of fame. Josh was bought up playing his systems through his Dad. His Dad is a winner as a coach and a player because of Lindsay. Lindsay's son is the best baller Australia has ever produced. Andrew Gaze. His Dad played with him. Josh is a winner because of all this. His team's always won. Seriously always. rarely lost. His IQ is not a fluke. He makes everything look easy. So easy people have always tended to disrespect him only for him to prove them wrong over and over his whole career. My point being is, yes he's a great facilitator, but he is a leader. I can bet you that he leads this team in practice as well as on court. SGA is a once in a generation player. Together he and Josh can work together for the benefit of the team. Josh will prove that he is one of the best pass first players the league has seen. He has to be on the court. His shooting and shot selection will get better as well his D.

[@joeldriver-sp2rg]

I don't think anybody thought that SGA and JDub would elevate their games so much or that Chet would be this good. SGA is legitimately playing like an MVP level player and JDub has taken his game to another level and many games looks like an all star. What Chet also gives them besides points and rebounds is rim protection which is something they really needed. He negates a lot of points with his defensive presence at the rim. They have a legit chance to win it all and now that the whole Giddey thing is over he'll play better also.

[@trash_1337]

I remember watching your videos in the lead up to the 2021 draft and now the thunder are a borderline contender pretty wild

[@riroballs]

thanks man. that was a nice draft with Giddey and now they're contenders more than 2 years later

[@JadenJPDB]

Trading bertans and bunch of role players for gordon hayward is a big win for OKC Hayward will be a great mentor to younger players

[@riroballs]

For sure!

[@dantebartholomew7491]

Giddey is this new thunders Nick Collison. Doesn’t seem to do much on the stat book but his presence, is, and ball movement really makes a big impact on our offense

[@davinsmith6929]

100% on the money

[@CatterzMang]

So what your saying is if giddey wasn't there the rest of the team wouldn't be able to play so freely?

[@davinsmith6929]

@@CatterzMang no he just spaces well and is happy to pass than shoot, because he has an amazing skill set there. He also defends in a way that supports the team and is always top rebounder when on(defensive). You cant have 5 glitzy players mate someone has to do the 1%ers

[@bradyhenricks6601]

Damn if Stephen Adams could stay healthy he would be a perfect bench 5 for this team. OKC would eat that up as a city too, Adams is as big of a figure in OKC as anyone

[@josiahpadfield5040]

Man, you aren’t lying about that one!

[@EricTheActor805]

Too old

[@ianconness11]

Wendell Carter feels like a nice trade option. Good for backup big minutes and you could probably play he and Chet together against teams that possess a lot of size like the Timberwolves. And you’d think you wouldn’t have to give up a lot for him.

[@jacobwilliams7135]

I’ve been thinking this since the beginning of the season when the Thunder were showing promise… don’t make any trades before the deadline. Keep the team chemistry and don’t make any trades until the offseason if any. That would be a respectable move by the coach and management to show they have trust in their players, and they’re successful as is, we need more info from the playoffs to know what they really need to improve even more.

[@mikiec125]

I actually like this team. They may need to play J Williams and chet a lil more together when Josh, Sga, Dort or JDubb rest to help with rebounding and size.

[@Vickypabz]

Well built young core 🎉

[@riroballs]

💪

[@matthewroller5412]

Great video I have thought for awhile now no trades for strs are coming not many in the league as selfless and good as the young stars they already have. I see them if they do any trades at all looking to upgrade their bench.

[@riroballs]

thanks man. yeah a trade for a bench piece looks more likely

[@SonnyK248]

Presti built a team with three hall of famers naturally. He had zero advantages over any organization when he did that. He just drafted KD, Russ, Harden and Ibaka with his picks. Now in round two he has like 15 first rounders in six years and people were shocked at what he did 😂 It's like giving a football (soccer) coach who is a genius at identifying talent infinite money to buy a new team. He was able to choose what he wanted other than being hamstrung with what was available. And basically in one draft he completed the game. What's the perfect big three? There are three positions. Guard, Forward Big. Shai was already the guard. He needed a big and a forward. In 2022 he drafted a big and a forward. What is necessary in the modern NBA? versatility. Shai is a combo guard. J Dub is a combo forward and Chet is a stretch big. What else do you want? Shooting and defense. All three can do that. So it's a perfect big three in one draft class. And the master of drafting still has more picks than anyone in the league while being the two seed 🤯

[@riroballs]

This!

[@waitforjake]

they could try and get kelly olynic, hes a shooting/passing big that can help with rebounding, which okc is really lacking right now. you saw that if you watched their loss to the clippers, veteran teams like them will really know how to exploit that.

[@andrewmuir3828]

Gotta give props to the Thunder medical team too. You'd never know Chet had major foot surgery the way he's moving and playing

[@riroballs]

for real!

[@itsjayn4538]

I just hope they figure the best way out to use all their talent , they dont need to trade ... I AM SURE they have MINIMUM 5 future all-stars and nba first/second team players on the roster rn

[@riroballs]

Exactly my thoughts. No imminent trade needs to happen

[@Wellingtonfun]

Getting Jonathan Isaac in exchange for Davis bertans would be a great a move for thunder Thunder will get an excellent defender and rebounder plus a descent scorer in Isaac and magic will get a shooter they need Both teams are wasting talent and cap by letting the players warm the bench You always make great content but I think before trade deadline you should make a video on potential trade target for Thunder that would benefit team Some of players thunder need Jonathan Isaac Kyle Kuzma Lauri Markenen (seems tough to get but still) Chris Boucher Thunder desperately need a power forward and I don't know why they are not using Aleksej maybe they don't want to increase his value and want to resign him for cheap

[@riroballs]

Thanks mate! I hope Presti gets to re-sign Poku for cheap. I still believe in the guy's ceiling. Bertans is definitely gonna be moved one way or the other most likely in the offseason

[@Wellingtonfun]

You are welcome Naz reid is an honourable mention Thunder could target They have to start competing now if they don't want to become next Memphis grizzlies as Giddey is walking that path waiting won't help much anything can happen in future as we have seen after 2012 finals

[@salbenrosli707]

Honestly why ppl always say they need to trade. Let them play this entire season together - get a good playoff run and we’ll see what we need to improve.

[@riroballs]

Exactly. A trade is likely going to happen soon but it's probably going to be during the offseason. We need to see what this roster is made of in a playoff setting

[@ballinwitac6090]

Here's what I will say I think at the very least okc needs to be active in the offseason to get a vertan presences off the bench. I think young guys like Isaiah Joe and Wallace should be mainstays but I think a vertan wing could be a solid add in the offseason in the contract comes up to create an elite rotation with Williams and Dort. Also if a playoff serries for future years I'd immange Williams and or Chet would be on the court for most non-SGA minutes so I think the big thing is getting Vertan depth within the next couple of years to make sure we have non SGA minutes covered

[@mallymalatl]

We need a center that can rebound and give Chet some help

[@riroballs]

We'll see what happens

[@richardvivian3665]

Team is winning and really improving. I wouldn’t be changing the starting lineup yet because we don’t know what their ceiling is. With experience in the playoffs this year they’ll find out what they need.

[@riroballs]

exactly!

[@stevebiddle8912]

The rest of the league is learning that the Thunder are for real!!

[@riroballs]

💪

[@Vanessa-uu2yt]

Quality video

[@riroballs]

Thanks a lot!

[@ronmcgee1868]

OKC is good because they play hard defense, contesting every pass and shot. On offense, every player can shoot a three. That creates lots of space for driving to the basket. And SGI is the best in the league at that. JBud and Giddey are good drivers too. Their weakness is rebounding.

[@riroballs]

facts

[@Wellingtonfun]

Thunder have to maximize the fact that Chet and williams are on rookie contact and go for secondary star till their extention comes up Time is now for Thunder to make a trade

[@jakegoulin7701]

chet and williams are integral to the team. there is nobody we could trade that we SHOULD trade, and anyone that we could trade without messing up the chemistry, would probably not get us much in return. we need a center, but chet could fill that roll if he puts on some pounds

[@gavinlund5529]

I do think that Lauri is the perfect 4 for this team but it really does depend on what they would have to give up. I love the thought of SGA, Dort, JDub, Lauri, and Holmgren and the starting five but would OKC trade Giddey?

[@riroballs]

Yeah the team is winning so why not build on this current starting five, right? But again, Sam Presti has his own ways

[@GWALLAGWALLAGWALLA]

This remind me of the 23’ orioles both good ass young team ls w even more promise in the future still losing in the divisional

[@EmilioQuintana-o5m]

Boricua Hispanic indian n black IAM. Okc is the best defensive team of the year. They might win the championships or win the west side final but they doing great. Shai chet Jalen is the trio of OKC. The back up is great josh joe Jaylin Aaron Wallace Gordon dort all this players era great , some of this players make 10 or 15 point some time 9 but the back up era great. Okc will keep the players that make okc better team.

[@thomascolasante]

Hey man, I’m planning to start a basketball channel too. I noticed some really good video footage I haven’t seen before - how did you go about finding the footage in this video?

[@riroballs]

hey man, try checking team's official channel. you should find good ones

[@charlescohen6140]

Riro, you do know the Thunder have the best shooting coach, don’t you?

[@riroballs]

For sure man. Chip is a legend! He’s def helped our guys with that

[@mja4wp]

Im a life long Knick fan....has not been easy last few decades.....Joker is the most unique and therefore maybe the best player I have seen in 20 years....that being said....SGA is the MVP this year....OKC? beginning of the season? not gonna happen....look at them now....SGA deserves the MVP....

[@riroballs]

Shai definitely has a strong MVP case this season, if not the strongest case to win it

[@robrig55]

Yes go for Lauri. Championship windows dont come often. Just ask the Brooklyn Nets, Raptors, Hawks and Warriors. They had championship windows that either quickly closed or are now closing and are on the verge of rebuilding. Go for Markaanen. His deal will still expire on 2025. That's a 2 year window. What's the catch? See where this group can go first or go for a championship now? They have enough draft capital to make corrections after the season has ended

[@bassmindopekukjata]

They should trade for Bruce Brown or a veteran C

[@broderrickestrada4165]

Let me ask you this riro is the thunder ceiling higher or lower with lauri in the line up vs josh giddey as far as i can see i beleive they three peat untill 2025 then lauri can go

[@riroballs]

Can really never tell man imo. But I'd rather not trade Giddey and picks to acquire Lauri for sure

[@salbenrosli707]

Why do they need to give up players and picks for Lauri Markkanen? If i need to give up those - they have to be like Embiid like of player.

[@griffin5071]

The red arrow definitely made me click 👍🏼

[@riroballs]

💪

[@connoratkinson2927]

Hoping westbrook ends up back on the thunder, all they need is a vet and id love to see Russ get a chip. Not to mention his play style would fit well into this pass first offense. I could see him averaging 15 points 10 assists off of the bench

[@riroballs]

Russ 💪

[@woka19]

If it's not broken, don't fix it!

[@riroballs]

💪

[@dreamvveaver]

Why does Sam Presti looks like Dr. Strange tho, is that the reason why he gains gems every time he makes a deal out of nothing must be his magic

[@RODRICKhines]

Then go just the way they are

[@charlescohen6140]

The truth is most sports fan are casuals, preferring to bet rather than to analyze.

[@KBilliez]

Adding a vet will not make these young guys not young and lacking in experience. Sure I would imagine it could help. But to address their experience issue they would need to just gain experience in my opinion.

[@KBilliez]

Also I think Markkenan is tough cause he would become a 3rd option maybe even 4th option with us. And w don’t know how he plays when in that position

[@bassmindopekukjata]

Give the Raptors Bertans and two picks for Brown (5 overall) for Siakam

[@salbenrosli707]

Presti is not stupid enough to do that.

[@joshhope8661]

And also Siakam is in Indiana now and no longer on the Raptors

[@DrakeBruh-p9s]

there is no masterplan the media will ask Shai to go to Lakers or Knicks

[@riroballs]

Up to him where he stays though

[@salbenrosli707]

Sounds like a fifth grader speaking

[@Bullheads101]

Lindy Waters needs more minutes to show he's in the lineup

[@riroballs]

Love Waters man!

[@anthonythomassr9333]

I will say this if you come to OKC Shai is going to get that azz

[@DunningKrugerJnr]

There’s no master plan…it’s just pure greed…more, more, more 😅

[@Goatlikeitornot]

Just get Drummond or Okongwu

[@PokuHighlights]

Thunder is not a contender. Just look at the clippers game, there are weakness that they can’t fix with the current roster and that will get exposed in playoffs. Just Revisit this tweet in May

[@JerrySkarky]

It's not May yet, but the Thunder last week made the Clippers look old in the rematch. Does a 20+ point beatdown change your mind?

[@PokuHighlights]

@@JerrySkarky no. They haven’t fix the issue yet. Tho they throw off clipper’s rhythm that game by benching giddey 2nd half start, good job Mark

[@JordanConley808]

They should go for it now. Trade up to 7 picks for 2 good players. They could possibly win now, or at least get their core deep playoff run experience. If they don't want to pay Laurie, they could trade him for picks and cheaper young players when the time comes.

[@charlescohen6140]

It doesn’t work that way. They might not have good enough picks to get what they need. Trust Sam.

[@JordanConley808]

@@charlescohen6140 I trust him. He seems to be right most times. Just an idea or suggestion for the unique spot they are in.

[@salbenrosli707]

Sam knows best. He also does not need to create a winning team now.

[@charlescohen6140]

I’m confused. What is their record now? @@salbenrosli707

[@Andrew993av]

Trade for Chris Paul

[@riroballs]

🤔

[@macmosley8250]

Siakam would have been a great fit 😢

[@topclips9370]

I agree

[@JV-mz6mx]

Nah 31.8% 3P% & 77.2% FT% isn’t what OKC want. Just couldn’t have Giddey, Siakahm & SGA out there, wouldn’t be enough floor spacing for them to operate.

[@jaidenross9562]

I'd really like for the thunder to make a push for Lamelo. The hornets are struggling and could use a few first picks to kickstart a rebuild.

[@tombystander]

No? He's on a rookie max extension for the next 5 years already and OKC will need to pay chet/Jalen in 2

[@Wrestle_Kingdom]

This has to be a joke

[@jaidenross9562]

@tombystander I'm pretty sure they got bird rights on them. Also, they have team options that thunder will most certainly pick up to keep salaries low.

[@HappyLizard-iu7zj]

I said the same thing people don’t realize that’s adding 7 assist at least the offense would be so crazy

[@MP-ct7uk]

They need a bloke called ,hmmm, Josh Giddey. He would be a great fit. Best news is he is available.

[@Opochtli]

Utah jazz da best

[@OutdoorAdventures9]

He needs karl malone as a mentor. Trade him to utah

[@JazzYachtrocker]

Who are you talking to genius?

[@charlescohen6140]

Clever! I’ll be bet everyone you know thinks you are terribly funny.

[@DGC15]

Is it just me or does SGA look like R Kelly 😂