Hoops Habit
Fansided

Oklahoma City Thunder: Five Questions Going Into The Season

By Joshua Lea

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12, left) controls the basketball against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12, right) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12, left) controls the basketball against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12, right) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

The Oklahoma City Thunder got a taste of preseason action Monday. The excitement ran high as the Thunder showed they can score at will.

Sep 23, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5), Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) pose for portraits during Oklahoma City Thunder media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5), Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) pose for portraits during Oklahoma City Thunder media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oklahoma City Thunder are arguably the most exciting team in the NBA. Yesterday, the Thunder played their first exhibition game against Real Madrid in Spain. The Thunder came out in a good rhythm and made good shots. However, they would lose the game, 142-137.

There’s a ton of positives following this game. The distribution of scoring was well balanced. Enes Kanter scored 29 points, Victor Oladipo scored 34 points, Alex Abrines scored 12 points, and Anthony Morrow had eight points in 12 minutes.

The ball movement was exceptional, all but three Thunder players scored in yesterday’s exhibition. However, within the game lies some underlining questions. These questions are going to are vital to the success of the season for Oklahoma City.

If I had to compare this Thunder team to any other team in NBA history, it would be the 1993-94 Chicago Bulls, the season following Michael Jordan‘s retirement. The Bulls would go 55-27, finish second in the division, and lose to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The only real difference is Scottie Pippen is no Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is a freak of nature in the NBA. Last season, Westbrook had the most triple-doubles in more than 30 seasons. Although, the Bulls had talent equal to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oklahoma City will have to rely heavily on their team chemistry in order to survive the season.

Also, the Thunder will have to utilize the newly acquired talent they have.  Alex Abrines, Ersan Ilyasova, and Domantas Sabonis will have to provide valuable minutes consistently. Here are five important questions for Oklahoma City heading into the NBA season.

Home/Oklahoma City Thunder