Rebounding Woes Continue to Plague Oklahoma City Thunder in Playoffs
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship aspirations were dashed last season by the Dallas Mavericks, with the team’s inability to compete on the boards being a major factor in their downfall. According to SI.com, the Thunder were outrebounded by an average of five per game in their six-game series against the Mavericks, with Dallas dominating the paint courtesy of players like Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.
In an effort to address this issue, Thunder general manager Sam Presti made a key acquisition in the offseason, signing 7-foot big man Isaiah Hartenstein to bolster the team’s interior physicality. Hartenstein’s impact was evident in the regular season, as the Thunder improved from a bottom-five rebounding team to nearly cracking the top 10. Hartenstein led the team in rebounding with 10.7 boards per game in 57 games, while rookie Chet Holmgren averaged 8 rebounds per game in 32 games.
However, despite this improvement, the Thunder’s rebounding woes appear to have resurfaced in the playoffs. In their Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Round 2, the Thunder were outrebounded 63-43, with Hartenstein and Holmgren combining for just 15 rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 10 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome the Nuggets’ dominance on the boards.
When asked what the Thunder could do to improve their rebounding, Jalen Williams offered a tongue-in-cheek response, mimicking a press conference from former Baylor forward Taurean Prince. "Box out," Williams said. "Go up with two hands and grab that. Don’t stand and watch." While Williams’ response may have been lighthearted, the issue of rebounding is a serious concern for the Thunder, and one that they will need to address if they hope to advance in the playoffs.
The Thunder’s nonchalant attitude towards rebounding is a concern, particularly given their team ethos of camaraderie and lack of egos. As SI.com notes, this attitude may not be beneficial in the long run, particularly when faced with teams that are more physical and dominant on the boards.
Williams’ performance in Game 1 was also a concern, as he shot just 5-of-20 from the field and 2-for-9 from three. While his response to the question about rebounding may have been dismissive, it is clear that the Thunder will need to work on their rebounding if they hope to bounce back in Game 2.
The Thunder will be looking to address their rebounding issues and even the series against the Nuggets. As SI.com reports, the team will be working to ensure that their lapse in rebounding does not happen again. With their season on the line, the Thunder will need to be more physical and dominant on the boards if they hope to advance in the playoffs.
In conclusion, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebounding woes continue to be a concern, and one that they will need to address if they hope to advance in the playoffs. As reported by SI.com, the team’s inability to compete on the boards was a major factor in their downfall last season, and it remains to be seen whether they can overcome this issue this year.
