The Thunder's Tank Job: An Unprecedented Approach to Instability

The Oklahoma City Thunder's recent performance has drawn significant attention, especially following their 57-point loss to the Indiana Pacers. This article explores the tank job the Thunder are conducting, evaluating the team's actions and their potential impact on the league.

A Deliberate Strategy: Irrespective of NBA Precedents

Your reaction to the Thunder's performance might be one of shock and bewilderment, given the unprecedented nature of their approach. As evident, numerous teams have experienced poor performance, but the Thunder's deliberate strategy stands out. This aggression in tanking compares to the 2016-2018 Philadelphia 76ers, who were similarly bad during their tank jobs—resulting in a series of losing seasons from 2016 to 2018.

Comparing the Thunder's Performance to the 76ers

During this period, the 76ers faced a series of particularly grim seasons:

2016-2017: 10-72 2017-2018: 18-64 2018-2019: 19-63

Despite their lackluster performance, these teams did have some youthful players with NBA potential, such as Robert Covington, Jermani Grant, and Nerlens Noel, as well as Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell. Even the Lakers, with their combination of players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Anthony Davis, attempted to win games.

Analyzing the Recent Loss

Recent data reveals a startling contrast between the Thunder's starting lineup and the rosters of the 2015-2016 76ers. The starting five for the Thunder during their loss included:

NameAgeCareer Games / Starts Charlie Brown2413 / 1 Darius Bazely20109 / 57 Theo Maledon1958 / 42 Isaiah Roby2356 / 27 Moses Brown2144 / 24

With the exception of Darius Bazely, who has played a complete NBA season, this lineup appears exceptionally young and untested. The Thunder made an even more surprising decision by sitting their active players, such as Tyler Jerome, Alexei Pokusevski, Mike Muscala, Luguentz Dort, and Al Horford.

Unplayed Players: An Analysis

Several key players who could significantly enhance the Thunder's performance have been left out of action:

Tyler Jerome: A 23-year-old with a 40.9% three-point shooting rate in 2021. Alexei Pokusevski: The youngest player in the NBA, with a promising career ahead of him. Mike Muscala: A legitimate NBA journeyman, capable of improving the team's overall performance. Luguentz Dort: A high-performing defensive player, scoring 30 points in a game seven loss to the Rockets. Al Horford: A five-time All-Star with a 36.4% three-point shooting rate.

The Unveiling of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Condition

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a standout player with a 50.8% field goal shooting rate and 41.8% three-point percentage, has been taken out of action. The Thunder have officially declared him a healthy scratch for the remainder of the season due to concerns about plantar fasciitis. This raises questions about the Thunder's true motives.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Impact

Gilgeous-Alexander's absence does not only stem from health concerns; it might indicate a broader strategy. If the Thunder obtain the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, the team will likely secure a promising backcourt with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cade Cunningham, setting a solid foundation for future success. Despite his health issues, his value as a player cannot be denied.

In conclusion, the Thunder's tank job strategy is a complex issue that deserves careful examination. Their recent performance and decisions are likely to be scrutinized by fans, analysts, and NBA executives in the coming weeks. The question remains: is the Thunder truly focused on improving their team, or are they deliberately sacrificing their current roster for future gains?