OKC is not ready

[iamgine]

When the pressure is up, they folded like cheap suit.

[Neal Romer]

Over reacting to one game is always a bad idea, no matter who is involved.

That said, it's certainly possible theyre a year away. This roster has the potential to be great, but it is quite young overall. Some of the more experienced teams out West could still present a barrier to them.

Keep in mind too tho it's still very early in THIS season. So theres still time for growth and chemistry before the playoffs even get here.

But to your point, it is possible we all got carried away with the timeline. Theres every reason to expect them to be title contenders for years to come... but we may have jumped the gun in terms of the timeline.

Not necessarily because of tonight's result specifically, but it does serve as a reminder of the fact theyve still got a lot to prove before we crown them.

[SouBeachTalents]

Over reacting to one game is always a bad idea, no matter who is involved.

That said, it's certainly possible theyre a year away. This roster has the potential to be great, but it is quite young overall. Some of the more experienced teams out West could still present a barrier to them.

Keep in mind too tho it's still very early in THIS season. So theres still time for growth and chemistry before the playoffs even get here.

But to your point, it is possible we all got carried away with the timeline. Theres every reason to expect them to be title contenders for years to come... but we may have jumped the gun in terms of the timeline.
Not when it's the IST championship game.

[Jasper]

Bucks are banking on experience
all playoff games are won on 1/2 court...

OKC is young , fresh legs with ONE Star.

[Full Court]

When the pressure is up, they folded like cheap suit.

That's why the playoff games that matter are in seven game series. Any team can have an off night.

[Carbine]

They're missing the #2 impact player on their team.

It's impossible to judge them right now without Chet in the mix. He will be back eventually.

Take any #2 off a team and they're different. Overreacting this early in the season is crazy, but reacting this early to a game without a teams #2 player is just immature

[Jasper]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carrying his team with 21....


ok

[Jasper]

They're missing the #2 impact player on their team.

It's impossible to judge them right now without Chet in the mix. He will be back eventually.

Take any #2 off a team and they're different. Overreacting this early in the season is crazy, but reacting this early to a game without a teams #2 player is just immature

lopez would of just pushed chet away like a fly.

[Neal Romer]

They're missing the #2 impact player on their team.

It's impossible to judge them right now without Chet in the mix. He will be back eventually.

Take any #2 off a team and they're different. Overreacting this early in the season is crazy, but reacting this early to a game without a teams #2 player is just immature

Holmgren's a nice player with a great future but lets not act like hes a DOMINANT player at this point. Offensively Jalen Williams has been their number 2 this season. And Chet's, what, 22? I dont think theyre a drastically different team with him vs without. Obviously he helps but it's not some night and day difference. If the team in general isnt ready to run with the big dawgs just yet, Chet's return isnt likely to change that this season. They may just need another year of experience and physical maturity.

[Carbine]

Chet is a borderline dominant player impact wise. He's one of the top defenders in the league and he is an excellent compliment to whatever role he has in any particular game.

Whether that's as the #3, #4, #2 or #1 for stretches. He can and has filled each role at various times without taking anything away from the teams offensive flow.

[BarberSchool]

As much as IamGine is reflexively overreacting; y’all are all overrating Chet tremendously.

He is literally one of the easiest frontcourt players in the entire league to set a great gortat screen on.

In the slowed down, playoff game, teams with decent coaches, will continue to abuse his pencil thin frame to OKC’s detriment. Sure, once in awhile he hits a bunch of 3’s, or gets a highlight tip dunk/lob, but as a defensive anchor, he is a half-assed gortat screen away from possession al irrelevance under the stantion.

OKC, like many young teams, with young legs, scores a lot in transition during the regular season, and has a great record/seed, then underperforms when the game slows down and intensity/physicality goes up.

[Neal Romer]

Chet is a borderline dominant player impact wise. He's one of the top defenders in the league and he is an excellent compliment to whatever role he has in any particular game.

Whether that's as the #3, #4, #2 or #1 for stretches. He can and has filled each role at various times without taking anything away from the teams offensive flow.

He averages 16/8/2. He shoots 37% from three and 79% FT. Theres nothing borderline dominant about any of that. IMO.

Hes an excellent shot blocker, hes also easily backed down by bigger centers. So theres a tradeoff there.

Based on watching him AND seeing the stats, my personal opinion is theres no argument to be made that hes any type of dominant at THIS point. Hes a nice, positive impact player currently who may be a very high impact player eventually. But not at the moment.

But if you disagree thats fine.

[Carbine]

I do disagree.

John Collins averages 18/8/2 with similar or better efficiency.

There are a lot of things that happen on the floor that impacts winning that has nothing to do with those 18/8/2 stat line.

I never thought I'd be the one to be the voice of reason concerning Chet. People on here were saying he was going to be KD with DPOY defense last year.

His game is highly conductive to winning basketball. You will see, in time.

[Full Court]

I like Holmgren a lot.

But it's a fact that OKC's performance hasn't dropped off significantly since he's been out. I think it would be a bigger blow if Hartenstein got injured.

[Im Still Ballin]

Chet + Hartenstein is going to be OP as ****. Should be ready for the playoffs.

[Lakers Legend#32]

The made up NBA Cup is pressure?

FOKC

[ImKobe]

They need to trade for a reliable 2nd star if they want to contend now.

[Xiao Yao You]

They need to trade for a reliable 2nd star if they want to contend now.

And they te in better position to do that than almost anyone

[iamgine]

Same situation, they will collapse again faster than lawn chair. Bet all your $$$ for Denver.

[04mzwach]

they wear themselves out during the season and are in shambles by the playoffs. they're young so it doesn't look that way but theyre probably overworked and overtraINED.