The Oklahoma City Thunder are getting ready for the 2022-23 season and held their annual Media Day on Monday September 26th at Paycom Center. The team took tons of photos, videos and spent time talking with us along with regional and national media outlets.
Thoughts from Oklahoma City Thunder Radio Network host Gideon Hamilton.
Media day is always a time for optimism and excitement, no matter what sport, team, or level at which they play. The same was to be expected headed into Oklahoma City Thunder Media Day. Patient Thunder fans will be intrigued by what made the players and coaches most upbeat: the foundation of the future.
The Thunder continue to be one of the youngest teams in the NBA, but the youth they’ve compiled seems to be resonating with others on the team. Veterans Mike Muscala and Kenrich Williams both have embraced their roles as mentors, and both appreciated the buy-in from the rookies and second-year players on the roster. Jalen Williams begins his NBA career thrilled about the Thunder’s playmaking talent that can create openings for him. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is ready to build on a push late in the season that he feels could be a springboard into this year. The work Oklahoma City players have put in during the off-season was noticeable as well. Tre Mann’s frame has bulked up significantly since last year, as he prepares to handle the rigors of the season.
How this foundation fares on the court is still yet to be seen. However, the players and coaches that know the game are impressed, and that’s enough for any fan to take notice.
Thunder Radio Network Host Bobby Thompson has a preview.
Thunder Media Day 2022 has come and gone and after talking to the likes of Josh Giddey, Mike Muscala, Tre Mann, and both Jalen and Jaylin Williams, it’s hard not to be excited for another year of Thunder basketball. I understand the season ending injury to Chet Holmgren is a setback and expectations for success aren’t that high, but these young Thunder players have to learn how to play NBA basketball and they are going to get a ton of opportunity this season. Shai’s injury doesn’t seem too serious, so he should be back early in the regular season and Lu Dort looks ready to go.
Here are my “things to watch” going into the 2022-23 Thunder season:
Primary Ball Handler: Thunder want Giddey to handle the ball so watching he and Shai play together should be fun.
Front Court Depth: I love JRE but is he an every day starter in this league and what is the future of Darius Bazely?
Thunder D: Coach Daigneault is an expert at getting young players to play hard. Can they continue to improve on the defensive end?
Thunder O: Shai is a walking bucket. We know that. The transition game with Giddey’s vision should be fun. What happens in the half court and do they have enough perimeter shooting?
Finally the Poku factor: It is time to make the decision on whether or not Poku is an NBA player. He will need to make big strides for the answer to be yes.
I urge Thunder fans to sit back and relax and enjoy this team. They will play as hard if not harder than any other team in the league. They are going to be the youngest team in the league again this year which will cause some growing pains but will also be a very fun style of NBA Basketball.
Check out the YouTube playlist below featuring interviews with the players and Head Coach Mark Daigneault from Thunder Media Day. Don’t miss a play as 98.1 FM WWLS The Sports Animal brings you every game all season long on the OKC Thunder flagship station!