Oklahoma City Thunder Grades as of 11/18/22. This season has been pretty good for the boys in blue and orange. As of right now, they stand at 7-8 which is pretty surprising given that they lost their number-one pick this year in Chet Holmgren. Someone by the name of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having one of the more memorable seasons in recent memory, so that explains the decent start. Here are the Oklahoma City Thunder Player Grades as of 11/18/22.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: S++++
Alexander is having an astronomical season right now. He is averaging a career-high in points (32.3), 4.5 boards, 5.9 assists, and career-highs in steals (1.9) and blocks (1.4). To make it even more insane, he is shooting 55% from the field, 40% from three and 91% from the free throw line. Hopefully, he continues this run because he is having a very memorable year thus far. To put this year in perspective: he became just the third player in Oklahoma City Thunder team history to put up at least 35 points and five assists in three straight games. The other two are Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. That is some pretty good company right there.
Aleksej Pokusevski: A
Poku is finally getting a chance to show his potential. He’s averaging 9.8 points, 5.5 boards, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.8 blocks, and 1.6 turnovers on 47% from the field, 39% from three and 54% from the line. The minutes have been consistent (23.6 a game), but it’s not as much as his rookie season (24.2 a game). If he can up his minutes, his value would be even better. Until then, he is going to be putting up pedestrian numbers, but still, his numbers are looking much more improved.
Josh Giddey: A-
Giddey is having a good sophomore season, but it isn’t as crazy as fans thought. He is averaging 14.5 points, 1.1 threes, 7.2 boards, 5.3 dimes, 0.4 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 3.5 turnovers a game on 46% from the field, 32% from three and 73% from the free throw line. He’s averaging career-highs in points, blocks, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free throw percentage. However, his assists, rebounds, and steals are down and so are his minutes. Not to mention he’s averaging more turnovers (3.5) compared to last year (3.2). Still, it’s nothing to be alarmed about. It’s only the beginning of the season and there’s still a lot of basketball to be played. Expect Giddey to continue improving as he is still only 20 years old in just his second season.
Jalen Williams: B+
Williams has proven that when given minutes and opportunities, he can put up some tantalizing stat-lines. In just his first game of the year, he put up 13 points, three boards, three dimes, four swipes and a swat on 5/8 from the field and 3/3 from the line. The rookie also managed to put up a ten-point, eleven assist double-double with just two turnovers on 5/10 from the field. On the season, he is averaging 8.5 points, 0.6 threes, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 1.5 turnovers a game on 53% from the field and 83% from the line. His skill level is pretty high for a rookie and he is certainly showing that he belongs in the rotation. The fact that he plays for OKC is kind of a problem in terms of consistent minutes. Still, he could be a silly season hero by the end of the season if OKC decides to pull the plug on the season.