Sports Illustrated released the first half of its top 100 players ranking, and as it relates to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it’s quite a bit different than ESPN’s list last week.
There are two Thunder players who made SI’s list. Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is entering his third season, is No. 63, while center Al Horford is two spots below him at No. 65.
ESPN had Gilgeous-Alexander all the way up at No. 38 but did not include Horford on its list.
Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo acknowledged that Gilgeous-Alexander’s ranking may be too low.
“He makes his Top 100 debut on the cusp of stardom, and with another step forward in his development, this ranking may end up looking unnecessarily patient.”
This offseason, the Oklahoma City traded away the bulk of its veteran players, whose contracts were one or two years long and their values were unlikely to be higher before they ran out. Gilgeous-Alexander gives them a linchpin for the rebuild.
He’ll be the focus of the team and be the primary playmaker this year.
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Gilgeous-Alexander has yet to be the lead ball handler for consistent stretches. With the Los Angeles Clippers, he often played off-ball next to guards like Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams. With the Clippers, he played alongside Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder.
Woo said that this is the big question mark for Gilgeous-Alexander heading into the season.
The big unknowns are to what degree he can amplify his playmaking skills (in two seasons as more of a secondary handler, his assist-to-turnover ratio is a respectable 1.8), and just how dangerous he’ll become shooting from distance. Defenses will consistently key on him for the first time, and he’ll be tested. But based on all we’ve seen, it feels like a simple matter of time before his next meaningful leap.
Meanwhile, Horford’s inclusion is a positive for Oklahoma City fans. The new Thunder player was left off the ESPN rankings altogether after his poor season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
That Sixers roster was constructed poorly. There was no spacing with Horford, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons on the court at the same time, so Horford’s strengths were muted compared to what he was able to do with the Boston Celtics over the three years prior.
With Oklahoma City, Horford will be the go-to center as he rebuilds trade value.
Sports Illustrated’s Michael Shapiro thinks Horford will be able to get some back.
“The five-time All-Star should be a stabilizing force for a young Oklahoma City team in 2020–21 … Horford is a terrific interior passer and effective pick-and-roll partner. It’s easy to see him forming a quick rapport with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is additionally crafty in the two-man game.”
Over the past four seasons, three on the Celtics and one on the Sixers, Horford averaged 13.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 48.7% from the field and 37.2% on 3.5 3-point attempts per game.
Shapiro also thinks Horford can bring leadership to OKC.
“Horford’s intelligence could have an effect similar to Chris Paul’s in Oklahoma City, though it’s unlikely to be truly reflected in the standings. For a team now deep into its rebuild, Horford provides professionalism and competence. He should be better in 2020–21 than he was in his final year in Philadelphia.”
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