OKC Thunder Had Blueprint for Beating Dallas Mavericks

OKC Thunder Had Blueprint for Beating Dallas Mavericks

the Oklahoma City Thunder might have had the blueprint to beat the Dallas Mavericks and your mailbag questions you are locked on Thunder your daily Oklahoma City Thunder podcast part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day let’s get it going on the lockdown Thunder podcast on the lockdown podcast Network your teams every day I am your host me member and beat writer for insidethe thunder.com Ryland Styles follow me on Twitter Ryland Styles follow the show on Twitter L thunderpod email the show L thunderpod gmail.com on today’s show the Timberwolves go down three 0 to the Dallas Mavericks what that means for OKC plus your mailbag questions thank you so much for making us your first listen every single morning every single day we here for you talking Thunder basketball subscribe for free across all podcasting platforms so you never miss an episode including on on YouTube well the Minnesota Timberwolves go down 3 to the Dallas Mavericks and when you look at this series it should not you know make the Thunder at all complacent but it should also uh shed light on the last series OKC took the Mavericks to six games with a point differential of zero derck Jones Jr and PJ Washington simply beat the Thunder you you tip your cap to those guys every single time if they’re going to shoot like that if they’re going to play like that but the Thunder were in every bit athletic enough to defend the heck out of Luca and Kyrie Kyrie admitted that like he had a tough time scoring in OKC and it was the most challenging series he’s ever played like that’s the blueprint now the Thunder got burned like you got burned and you’ll going to get burned every time that PJ and and DJJ shoot like that but how often will they shoot like that so when you look at that Series right and I think that this is funny when you compare it to Minnesota and when you compare it to the clippers but the blueprint was put all of your resources on Kyrie and Luca Kyrie never had a scoring threat game Luca was Luca a couple times in that series But ultimately you kept him in check for as much as you can keep Luca in check as I said before the series there is no ST stopping Luca you were able to stop Brandon Ingram and just completely take him out of the series you’re not ever ever ever going to do that to Luka donic ever in his career ever going to do that to him I don’t even care how old he gets I think that you’re gonna always have Luka having Luka games because I think his a his game will age very well but you’re never gonna take out Luka dod you were able to take out Kyrie like Kyrie was not a scoring threat now he did impact the game in other ways he was a heck of a leader in that locker room he was a fantastic facilitator and he played really good defense but he did not score score the ball and he was not a scoring threat and you’ve seen how he’s shaking loose against Minnesota who people were of course crowning defensively and so it came down to PJ Washington going off meanwhile the Thunder had a complete no-show from jdub for the majority of the series like the majority of the series J was not good uh the Thunder had their cementary pieces not shoot the ball well and pass up chances the Thunder still or have not maximized shut homr the Thunder still had a Josh giddy issue where he was starting for over half the series and he just was not a good matchup for Dallas and everyone knew including Josh giddy that he was not a good matchup against the Dallas Mavericks the Thunder are still developing and the the Thunder still have a mountain of assets but like when you look back on that series you cannot get any bigger than Minnesota top to bottom on that roster that roster is as big as you can be so for all the criticisms of like had the Thunder just gotten a big man uh at the deadline to they would have beat Dallas you know on on a certain degree there were moments in that Series where you could have used a rebound but also you cannot get bigger than Minnesota and Minnesota cannot guard Dallas they just cannot do it it went from OKC had had a disappointing loss and they’re the worst one seat of all time to Luca and Kyrie are the best back court ever they were not being called the best back court ever constructed last series because the Thunder were small enough and athletic enough to go defend them and now you look at it and what are people saying today on May 27th in the year of Our Lord 2024 they’re saying that the Minnesota timber wolves should go small they’re saying the Minnesota timber wolves should have gone small earlier and they’re coming to realize that the way to beat Dallas is negate Luca as much as possible take away Kyrie as much as possible and just see if Derrick Jones Jr PJ Washington or else can have a massive three-point shooting game ding ding ding that was the Thunder’s entire plan and it worked save for miraculous three-point shooting games from PJ Washington and Derrick Jones Jr and you’ve got to tip your cap to those guys they came through they stepped up in a big way they have what it takes they have the it Factor uh in that series but you live with that because how how many more times if we go restart that series are you gonna see PJ and DJJ shoot like that now they’ll impact the game in another way they’ll impact the game uh in their own right but they’re not going to shoot like that over and over and over again series upon series upon series you just so happen to run into you know the couple Series where they do and this is not to take away from Dallas it’s to say that Dallas is so good that the only pathway you have to success is the pathway OKC took and OKC would have found success had OKC not had some of their very worst shooting outputs at the very same time DK Jones J in PJ have some of their very best shooting outputs so uh it’s it’s interesting to look back on now because a lot of you were like uh worried that this was the last ever Thunder Run This was their one chance and oh my gosh they blew it oh my gosh what a missed opportunity the Dallas Mavericks are awesome they’ve been one of the best teams in basketball since the trade deadline and you had a roster perfectly constructed with the way that you could throw out you know Lou and KAS and Wiggins and all these guys jdub and all these guys on down the list of Defenders that you could throw at Luke and Kyrie you had the blueprint you got burned that’s all there is to it now by that same token right the Thunder absolutely had the plan and I think that that’s the plan you have to take every single time the Celtics are going to have to take the same plan in in the finals the Celtics have to put your holiday and have to put all their attention on Luka and Kyrie and if they get torched in the corners by PJ and DJJ it is what it is but that’s the plan but by that same token you cannot you know let that Series in retrospect now make you complacent right you still have to go improve this roster there are still ways to to elevate this roster and uh tie this rotation together and and lift the Thunder over the hump right with rasher construction but it’s very clear watching this Minnesota series it’s not as dire it’s not as dire as you thought and even just watching the way this that this Minnesota team um composes themselves I think is interesting against Dallas’s defense so I I don’t want this to be misconstrued Minnesota had no problems in the biggest moments against the defending champions in D in Denver whenever they lost whenever they won in seven uh and went in Denver won some massive games I’m just saying that that that Dallas’s specific kind of Defense where we mentioned how they play on a string how they play physical how they play aggressive uh it’s having the similar results against Minnesota who at times they kind of sorts who at times they’re passing up opportunities who at times are throwing the ball away like give credit to Dallas for for their fantastic defense that they’ve played all postseason long and really again since the trade deadline but I just don’t think the Thunder as far away as some of you might have felt a week ago you just H you just were the victim of horrendous shooting variants and that will happen at times in the postseason and the Thunder just could not overcome it but again that series went six games with a zero point differential for as bad as the Thunder played couldn’t get to rebound uh Couldn’t Shoot the ball well for the majority of the series for as bad as they played you know JB was a no show the Josh Kitty stuff was a zero point differential and you took him six games and you were within a a fon PJ Washington to taking it seven to being on your home floor as the youngest number one seat of all time as the youngest team that ever WI a playoff game the playoff series I should say sweeping New Orleans like they’re right there and I really do believe that this Thunder team will be playing basketball Memorial Day Memorial Day serves as a benchmark of course um for all of the brave men and women who make who made the ultimate sacrifice and reflection for that but in sports it serves as a benchmark for Elite basketball teams and the first time you check out them willb standings Elite basketball teams play on Memorial Day the Thunder will be doing so they’ll still be playing basketball this time next year I believe that’s how close they are like I would already project um the Thunder will be in the Conference Finals between their intern development and what when what we assume that will happen this offseason we’ll talk about that coming up on today’s show but first want here right now but good friends over at eBay Motors check out Ebay motors go there right now because they understand that passion drive and patience that’s the formula for winning a championship and also one to keep your ride or die alive eBay Motors has everything you need to maintain your vehicle to level up to Peak performances and check out your superchargers roof racks exhaust kits LED headlights and more so no matter if you’re into speed or power or style eBay Motors has you covered with over 122 Million Parts to choose from you are number one ride or die uh check it out today uh at eBay motors with the eBay’s guaranteed fit it’s your part guaranteed to fit your ride every time the first time or your money back uh because with eBay Motors they understand that you’re going to be burning rubber not cash and they want you to keep your R day alive with eligible items only exclusion Supply ebaymotors.com uh only available to us customers we’re back on the lockdown Thunder podcast on lockdown podcast Network your teams every day thank you so much for making us your first listen every single morning every single day we’re here for you taken Thunder basketball let’s go into your mailbag questions remote worker says do you think s pry will continue to be patient this rebuild uh or make a lot of noise this offseason and if that’s the case do you see the Thunder potentially regressing next season uh but since the Thunder will not be surprising anyone very uh loaded topic let’s get into it so as far as this offseason it can truly go either way like I would not be shocked this summer if the Thunder were out there um and make a massive splash the only thing that would shock me is if Thunder fans are not feeling really good heading in the next year now I don’t know what level of improvements that’ll make that’ll be but I think that this summer they’re going to do something that makes you feel good makes you feel confident in this team even more more so than you do today now that could be a massive Splash that could be putting a bow in their rotation whatever that looks like who knows but they’re going to do something they have to spend the salary cap floor um so one way or the other you know I I think that this Thunder team will be under a microscope obviously you got so close to the Western confrence Finals uh you’re a young team now now as we talked about before the expectation shift these last few years you’ve been hearing the term house money you’re not going to hear that anymore this is no longer house money this is hey this is part this is the opening of uh your stretch where you really got to nail your transactions you’ve really got to nail your opportunities and you’ve got to go try to win every single year that’s the bottom line so when you you know look at this team this offseason I think that they’re going to do something to to improve their roster and it could look like you know a shuring up the front Court it could look like a master Splash that’s kind of the leverage point that the Thunder have it can do either one and we just kind of have to sit back and see which one it which way it goes but they’re going to do something now uh as far as you know the regular season win total and being a surprise uh you know I don’t think think it had anything to do with the Thunder being a surprise team I don’t think that the reason why they won 57 games was by lucking their way there because no one took them seriously I think what happened was the Thunder are a really really really talented basketball team they’re a really good team and they took the regular season more seriously than everybody else and they had supreme Supreme injury luck and if they get that same formula again they’re going to win a lot of games again right so here’s the deal I don’t believe that they got any of their wins because they surprised somebody I think they got their wins because they took the regular season more seriously I still Bank on this team at their stage in their career taking the regular season more seriously than other teams however will it hit 57 wins 58 wins whatever again that is is you know ultimately due to injury luck and how you manage your guys and I think that that might Chang a little bit for example Chad played all 82 games that’s great that’s a fantastic story for a guy who’s been knocked so much for his uh frame and everything else to play 82 games after missing an entire season that’s great there were also moments in this season where he was completely gassed and he just looked gassed and it was not as effective as he was at other points next season after you’ve proven you had needed to prove 82 games next season does Chad you know listen to the organization whenever they want him to you know take a spell knowing that the uh end goal for this team is not the regular season knowing that the end goal for this team from now on for as long as it scores together the ultimate thing that matters is the playoffs now they’re still going to take the regular season seriously they’re still going to use it to build themselves up they’re still going to use it to to you know of course stack days and and develop and everything else but the ultimate way that they’re judged is the postseason from now on so do you have chat you know take a spell every now and then whenever he is gassed as he was this season right and and seatings in general like don’t matter as much as they used to just just from the recent history uh of these teams you we see Maverick Sur five seed and and and so on and so forth last year of course the heat whatever like the seating stuff isn’t as big of a deal though when you have a homecourt Advantage like the payom center you want to get of course a top four seed so it comes down to injury luck for me I don’t think there’s any indication the Thunder would not have as good of a record next year um if they’re healthy now other teams are going to get better right Memphis is immediately going to be a contender again if they stay healthy of course if they have drawback and everything else I think that Houston will get better how much better can Houston get you know of course I think that this will all balance out I think that again the trepidation from Thunder fans is a bit silly because you know I think that the Thunder have solidifi themselves as one of these staple teams it’s not going to go away so like whenever we talk about Memphis Memphis immediately launching themselves back into contention someone’s got to fall out I don’t think it’s going to be the Thunder and I don’t think the Thunder surprised anyone so uh will it be exactly 57 games or will it be 55 or 54 who knows ultimately the Thunder will will still be well regarded next year as one of the true contenders and so that’s kind of what you look at uh J says is Lori a real option considering his contract status who or what are the best offseason targets for OKC um you know you can make a an argument for Lori you can make an argument that OKC should go out there and get one of those type of contracts right now um because a contract like lur markins would you know perfectly fall off the books right before uh extensions for Shay JB and Chad kick in and you can then walk this tight rope thread this needle of doing both of bolstering your roster in the next couple of seasons and um you know maximizing your cap space that you have available to you while also not you know damaging your future do I think that they’ll do this you know the safe bet would be that they just play it safe uh but I also wouldn’t completely rule it out of like just going and getting a big contract not specifically Lori uh as for Lori on paper he for sure works great like if this is NBA 2K and and you can trol him and you and you don’t have to worry about um personalities and touches and everything else for sure this is a perfect fit I would wonder and this would be part of the due diligence that the the Thunder have to do if they were going to make a move like this can you put the toothpaste back in the tube now now that you’ve seen Lori Thrive as a as a go-to guy he’ll move down that totem pole in OKC can you put the toothpaste back in the tube we’ve seen Lori as a third fourth option and it did not look anywhere near as good as what it looks like in Utah He’s also not the same player as he was whenever he was the third or fourth option but that would be one point of like whoa like could this could this actually end up coming together but I I I think that you know you would bet against the Thunder going and making a move like that just in the sense of like the smart money in Vegas would be on no because in every case like every single team they’re more likely not to do something huge than they are because ultimately there’s only a few huge moves to make every single year but but I certainly would not R it out that that the Thunder could make a massive move whether it’s or somebody else um but font but font wants to know uh who are some under the radar free agent candidates for the Thunder to look at uh everyone throws out the same names but Sam prey never listens to us so uh no way that they sign any of those players Sam prey does not listen to to myself either I don’t think but some other names I really like Chris Dunn I really like tus Jones and then I like der Jones Jr I mean you saw that Derek Jones Jr uh he can have you know the shot variant stuff because he’s so confident in himself and he’s and he’s willing to take the shot that was part of the Thunders growing growing period I think is that like the Thunders guys like Derrick Jones Jr like like P Washington they passed up opportunities and those two did not pass up any opportunities and they gave themselves a chance for the ball to go in and the ball went in and so uh you know having that confidence aspect of it plus his his defense imagine his defense how great it is in Dallas and how and how awesome the Dallas Mavericks defense is it’d be similar in OKC only with with even heightened defense like his defense would be awesome the Thunder you know for a long time were overly athletic and couldn’t shoot enough now they kind of need some athletism a little bit on their roster he’d feel that hold too so like I think that he’d be an interesting option and we’ve seen that Dallas you know look at the last they built a title Contender they let they let some of their key pieces get away so although that was just obviously a completely different time there was the lockout um and all that stuff so and their star was at a different point in his career in dark versus where Luke is at in his career uh you know but but still DJJ would be an interesting guy that I don’t think that people have talked about that much Chris tun and Tas Jones we’ll talk now coming up about KD your favorite Target KD and Isaiah hartstein uh plus give you a look ahead at what’s ahead for the show coming up this week we’re back on the lockdown Thunder podcast on the lockdown podcast gu Network your teams every day thank you so much for making us your first listen every single morning every single day we’re here for you talking Thunder basketball Mort says is KD really an option for OKC would he even fit well let’s answer the first question first I’m sorry the second question first yes KD would absolutely fit no Casey uh the defense that he played last year surrounded by the Thunders defense would be awesome like like that would really uh just allow the Thunder to get the best of both worlds we like you’re not going to see a significant drop off defensively you might even see a small uptick defensively while improving your offense tremendously because Kevin Durant can still go get you buckets and I think that for Kevin Durant you know you look at how hard his life was in Phoenix where like he was awesome this past season and Phoenix nearly won 50 games look at the way that they won those 50 games though like it was hard it was it was laboring to win those games it took everything in them to get those 50 wins but now you would go to a situation where uh you wouldn’t be working as hard uh you know it it wouldn’t feel as dire in the regular season but in terms of fit he immediately addresses your shooting you your scoring concern he immediately addresses um the need for another initiator and another you know bucket getter as the Thunder missed out on in the playoffs and he does not drop off defensively at all like you would you would then have a starting lineup That would be Shay Lou jdub KD and Chad yeah that fits perfectly that fits perfectly um it would be a it would be a fascinating story obviously from all the history involved uh from from all of the um you know PP and circumstances that would come with it and the Thunder would instantly be a title favorite they’d be a team that that had you know Championship robust expectations on them uh with a very very very young roster uh as far as like is it a real possibility again you’re safe money in v yes would be no because um would be no because like these trades really happen however you know to totally dismiss it because of uh what’s going on in Phoenix because of uh what the Thunder have in terms of C SPAC and assets would also be foolish and we’ll just see we’ll see if both sides want to want to make that work you know it because it does take both sides so we’ll see what happens but uh I wouldn’t get too caught up in it but but there’s no like real harm in letting yourself dream uh you know come May 27th but at the same time don’t like get lost in in this you know kind of hypothetical because you look at what Phoenix is saying right now they want to sign the brwn and they want to keep this thing going so who knows uh MK says what would it take to get Isaiah hartstein to the th with their c space this summer uh I I think that the thunder in terms of free agency would still you know for as much as OKC’s grown for as much as the organization has a great reputation for all that stuff the Thunder would still have to overpay for a free agent um they’re still to have to really outshoot the competition you know in terms of money but I think that hearten Stein’s worth it you I think that his cutting ability his pick and roll ability being in the dunker spot cleaning the glass being a post-up guy in his defense is all worth um you know paying him while you have the luxury to we talked about earlier like this is your luxury window to to spend some money before you have to pay all those guys um he can be a swing starter in case something happens where you need a spell for for Chad or something throughout the season as he was for New York this year um I really like his fit I think the only flaw for him is that he can’t space the floor but you know no player perfect and change of pace big man who shes up your front Court rotation because now I think that like first of all I don’t think that people gave jwell enough credit for like his season this year but you move a guy like jayell to being your third guy off the bench or like your or like you’re not mandatory no matter what the matchup is big and he looks a lot better A lot better and it helps him and you play him next to hartenstein he looks a lot better look how much better he looks next to Chad hren like it looks better because he’s naturally going to be a more four than a five uh but then and then the modern NBA 4 is kind of a tough position for him to play either way but nonetheless like playing as hardstein would help him a lot playing behind hartstein would help him a lot like this would help your entire rotation and you could afford to do it like hardenstein the Thunder are the favorites Des him but I wouldn’t read too much into that stuff yet until we get like actual reporting on if the Thunder are in on hunstein because here’s the deal with the Vegas odds like the Vegas odds are going to say that the Thunder are are near top for everybody like because the Thunder have cat space and they can’t necessarily put like other teams at the top who don’t have cap space who would be logistically harder to go sign those guys uh it’s why the thunder going to be putting put into every rumor because of Thunder have cat space and they have a mountain of draft picks and in this case they need the cat space to sign hardenstein and they have it um but I also do think that hartstein would be a good fit now the Thunder sniffing around on that I don’t know but I think that he’d be a good fit uh for OKC Off the Bench who are some of your favorite targets to get to uh in the 2024 off season whether it’s draft or free agency let me know in the YouTube comments Down Below on lock on Thunder YouTube channel or let me know on Twitter rinor style subscribe for free across all podcasting platforms so you never miss an episode every single day we’re talking Thunder basketball here’s what’s going on this week Tuesday’s episode will be Stockwatch and we’re gonna wrap up some mailbag questions because there’s still about four more that I have not gotten to if you still have questions um drop them Below in the comment section drop them Below on Twitter um but uh we’re going to wrap up the mailback questions and have stockat we go through the entire roster and say if their stock is trending up or down uh Wednesday we’re going to recap Sam prey’s press conference which is always sure to breed um a ton of uh talking points and uh debate points and things like that Thursday we’re going to start our annual draft profile and projection series we’re going to begin it with flip uh after request in the YouTube comments uh for flip Friday we’re going to do is Du teammate uh draft profile on Jared McCain Monday kicking off next week we’ll be talking to MAV draft for our weekly installment to talk to the draft expert to discuss the 2024 NBA draft so that’s a lot to look forward to make sure you subscribe to lockdown Thunder anywhere you get your podcast from including on YouTube and until tomorrow be good and be good to one another

The Oklahoma City Thunder had the blueprint to beat the Dallas Mavericks but Derrick Jones Jr. and PJ Washington stepped up. As Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving torch the Minnesota Timberwolves, it is clear OKC Thunder going small was the best option, the Mavericks are just a great team. Can the Thunder make a big splash this offseaosn? Kevin Durant, Lauri Markkenan or other splashes? Who are some under the radar free agent signings for OKC? Will the Bricktown boys be as good next year as they were this season?

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

eBay MotorsFrom brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.

PrizePicksGo to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!

GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.

FanDuelFanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARANTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOThunder?sid=YouTube

Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA

#LukaDoncic #OKCThunder #ShaiGilgeousAlexander