With the Oklahoma City Thunder wrapping up their preseason — Here are three takeaways from their preseason:
3 Takeaways From the OKC Thunder’s Preseason
Chet Holmgren — Attacking Mismatches
The Thunder big made it an emphasis — on taking advantage of mismatches (most notably on the Paul George Podcast). Any smaller defender or big who lacks his lateral quickness and mobility as a big, regardless of his wiry frame. If the preseason was any indication, then Chet Holmgren is in for a breakout season.
In his first and best preseason outing — in nine minutes, Holmgren had 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting from the floor. No jumpers, no 3-point attempts. Just being aggressive and attacking mismatches at the rim.
https://x.com/thunderfilmroom/status/
Holmgren faced tight contested closeouts, he attacked those closeouts and frequently played above the rim. Holmgren’s rim attempts also included — fake handoffs, finding open lanes and punishing smaller defenders, transition opportunities, taking advantage of the five-out system, dribble handoff action with Isaiah Hartenstein, and making quick catches and reads, quick actions, quick rolls, and mixing up post-up actions.
Holmgren went in-depth on multiple ways to attack mismatches. This included doing it in a — 1-v-1 setting, in action setting, in transition, and making quick catches and reads, quick actions, quick rolls, and mixing up post-up actions. Holmgren certainly displayed his ability to attack mismatches throughout the preseason, now we’ll see how it translates into the season.
Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein — Fitting Right In
This preseason was a glimpse of what the Thunder’s two new veteran acquisitions provide for this Thunder team.
Both of them made an immediate impact all preseason.
Alex Caruso did all of the little things — the amount of deflections and how he shut down offensive actions. Made the right plays, kept the offense flowing, and enhanced the Thunder “Big Three” skill sets perfectly.
Hartenstein’s skillset was as advertised. An immediate force down low, his passing and playmaking — off of multiple actions made the Thunder a great watch. And his screen-setting made offense for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Holmgren easier.
https://x.com/thunderfilmroom/status/
For those with early questions on his offensive fit, Hartenstein’s action with Holmgren flowed really well. The Thunder guards and wings moved well off the ball around him, and Hartenstein connected relatively easily. The two-man action with — SGA and Hartenstein, Williams and Hartenstein, Holmgren and Hartenstein, and Isaiah Joe and Hartenstein will be fun to oversee throughout the season.
Hartenstein and Caruso complement this team really well. It certainly will be an adjustment period at some point this season for the veterans, but both of them displayed sufficient connectivity and excitement the fanbase is looking forward to this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Three-Point Shot Looks Real
Even if it’s preseason: If you’re a Thunder fan, you have to be excited about how SGA three-point shot looks.
The shot looks quicker and smoother. SGA made threes in a multitude of ways — pull-ups, catch-and-shoot, and step-back.
https://x.com/thunderfilmroom/status/
In the 3 preseason games he played in, two for two, three for six, and two for three from deep, he shot it with efficiency. All different looks, all showing off his comfortability.
As he continues to get up attempts and look comfortable doing so, the hype will only grow. One of the league’s best and most efficient scorers potentially becoming more consistent from deep, is another element to his game that is worth getting excited about.
Note: Unfortunately news for the Thunder — Hartenstein will be reevaluated in five to six weeks after he sustained a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand during the second half of Tuesday’s preseason game in Denver. This is certainly a big blow to start the season for the Thunder.
Jalen Williams also sprained his left ankle during the second quarter in their final preseason game vs the Atlanta Hawks. His status for their season opener against the Denver Nuggets will be monitored.
Main Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
