Mussatto: Chet Holmgren's debut with OKC Thunder & 23 things to look forward to in 2023-24
We’re in the thick of college football season, debating OSU’s quarterback competition and questioning the legitimacy of OU’s defense, but don’t forget about the Thunder. The NBA season is right around the corner.
Media day is Oct. 2, the first preseason game is Oct. 9 and the Thunder’s regular season tips off Oct. 25.
Coming off a much-better-than-expected 40-42 campaign, the Thunder’s over/under win total this season is 42.5, according to DraftKings. The Thunder fell one game short of the playoffs last season, and another exciting postseason chase could be in store.
Here are 23 things to look forward to this 2023-24 Thunder season:
1. Chet Holmgren playing in an NBA game
We’ve seen Holmgren play in Summer League twice. Now things are about to get real. After missing all of last season with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot, the 7-foot center is expected to be full-go in training camp. He should make his NBA debut in the Thunder’s Oct. 25 season opener at Chicago. Holmgren has the second-best Rookie of the Year odds, according to DraftKings, behind Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama.
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2. Speaking of Wembanyama, how about him making his Spurs (preseason) debut in Oklahoma City?
The Thunder will host the Spurs at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Paycom Center. Fingers crossed for a Holmgren vs. Wembanyama matchup. Wembanyama’s first official game in OKC is slated for Nov. 14 as part of the in-season tournament.
3. NBA in-season tournament is going to be fun
Anything to spice up the regular season is worth trying. All 30 teams were drawn into groups of five. The Thunder is in West Group C with San Antonio, Sacramento, Golden State and Minnesota. The best part about this is that tournament games — except for the championship game — will count toward a team’s regular-season record. Group play games will be played on Tuesdays and Fridays from Nov. 3 to 28. Eight teams will advance to the knockout rounds. Las Vegas will host the semifinals and finals.
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s encore
Gilgeous-Alexander made All-NBA first team, finished fifth in MVP voting and made the leap from star to superstar. What will he do as a follow-up act? Gilgeous-Alexander looked sensational in leading Canada to the bronze medal in the FIBA World Cup. We’ll see if SGA uses that as a launchpad as he enters his age 25 season.
5. Vasilije Micic in the flesh
I have to take an L on this one. I didn’t think Micic would ever jump from Euro ball to the NBA, much less play for the Thunder. But the Serbian guard, a former EuroLeague MVP, is here. It’s actually happening.
6. Mark Daigneault’s guard rotation
Who gets more minutes: Micic or rookie Cason Wallace? I’d lean Wallace. He’s a decade younger than Micic, has more upside and the Thunder has more invested in him. But Micic is probably the better player right now. I can’t wait to see how it shakes out.
7. Year 2 of Ousmane Dieng
Dieng, picked between Holmgren and Jalen Williams, is the forgotten middle child of the Thunder’s 2022 draft class. It speaks to the Thunder’s depth of young talent that Dieng, a skilled 6-foot-10 forward, is overlooked. The Thunder’s fate isn’t doomed if Dieng doesn’t work out. But if he does? Look out.
8. Year 2 of Jalen Williams
The Thunder drafted the Rookie of the Year runner-up with the No. 12 pick. That’s good business. Williams has the makings of a star, but to steal one of the Thunder’s favorite lines, development isn’t linear. Look for Williams to be more aggressive this year, even if it means his field goal percentage (52%) dips.
9. Year 4 of Mark Daigneault
Listed as “Mike” Daigneault on the 2021-22 Coach of the Year ballot, Daigneault was the 2022-23 COY runner-up behind Sacramento’s Mike Brown, the unanimous winner. Daigneault is a big-time coach, as good at relating with players as he is with Xs and Os.
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10. Sam Presti’s exit interview
Am I getting too far ahead of myself? Most definitely. First will come Presti’s preseason presser, but the Thunder GM’s postseason availability is the main event. It’s long enough to have an intermission. Jokes aside, Presti’s two-hour plus exit interview is filled with bits of info and cool stories.
11. New arena discourse
12. Home opener
After opening the season with road games at Chicago and Cleveland, the Thunder will host the defending champion Nuggets at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 29 in OKC’s home opener. Sunday afternoon games always have a cool feel.
13. Christmas(ish) basketball
Christmas will come early as the Thunder hosts the Clippers on Dec. 21 and the Lakers on Dec. 23. Then, after Christmas, the Thunder has a Dec. 26-27 home back-to-back against the Timberwolves and Knicks.
14. New Year’s Eve basketball
Before the ball drops in New York, ball, as is tradition, will be played in Oklahoma City. The Thunder hosts the Nets at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
15. Jaylin Williams drawn charges
Jaylin Williams, as a rookie, drew a league-leading 43 charges, and he did it in only 49 games played. The Thunder led the NBA in drawn charges (118), and Williams, by himself, drew more charges than 19 teams did … as a team!
16. Josh Giddey’s passes
Works of art, they are. Giddey, still not old enough to buy a beer, already ranks fourth on the Thunder’s all-time assists list.
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17. Lu Dort’s defense
Before we all start questioning his shot selection, let’s take a second to appreciate Dort’s on-ball defense. You don’t want this guy guarding you at the end of a game. Just ask Kawhi Leonard.
18. Bonjour, Montréal
The Thunder will play a preseason game in Dort’s hometown of Montreal on Oct. 12. Dort played for Team Canada this summer in the FIBA World Cup.
19. Pokumania
Thunder fans just can’t quit Aleksej Pokusevski. How can he both feel like a vestige of a bygone era and still only be 21 years old? Big season for Poku as he enters the last year of his rookie contract.
20. Olivier Sarr … and his brother?
The Thunder brought center Olivier Sarr back on a two-way contract. Meanwhile, you better believe the Thunder is eyeing his brother, Alexandre — a fast-rising 2024 draft prospect.
21. Strokin’ Joe
OK, no one but Basketball Reference calls Isaiah Joe that, but you get the point. Joe’s 3-point shooting was a godsend in these parts.
22. Michael Cage-isms
“You know what I’m gonna say, partner. That’s nasty!” I had so much fun catching up with Cage during San Diego State’s Final Four run last season.
23. The Shag
Can’t think of a better way to end than to mention Kenrich Williams’ iconic cut.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder: 23 things to look forward to in 2023-24 NBA season
