Just over the halfway point of the season and Oklahoma City is continuing to defy expectations.
At 24-19 after their win over the Trail Blazers on Saturday and sitting comfortably in 7th in the Western Conference standings.
Very few people believed that the Thunder would be in position to contend in the second half of the season after shipping off Paul George and Russell Westbrook during the offseason.
Not being able to offload Chris Paul has been a blessing in disguise. The veteran has helped lead a young, unproven team while his mentorship of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken the second-year guard from star in the making to bonafide stud.
But don’t tell Paul that OKC is playing above their ability. He told The Oklahoman that the only expectations the team is trying to live up to are it’s own.
“People may be saying we exceeded expectations,” Paul said, “but whose expectations? I think we’ve just got to keep building and keep enjoying the ride.”
As noted by Maddie Lee, Oklahoma City is on pace for 46 regular-season wins, which would put them in the playoffs.
Billy Donovan credits his guys’ competitiveness as the reason they’re in a position to make a postseason push.
“The thing that always encouraged me and always had me feeling good,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said, “was their competitiveness, in terms of wanting to work and get better and try to improve and get to know each other. I think where it becomes really challenging is if you have guys that just are not invested. These guys have been invested. They’ve been in it.”
A lot will depend on what Sam Presti decides to do.
The Oklahoma City team that’s been so competitive in the first half may not be around much longer with rumors swirling about other teams’ interest in Steven Adams and Danilo Gallinari on the trading block.
But for the time being, the Thunder are going to enjoy their hard-earned success.