The 2023-24 NBA season kicks off this Tuesday with a lineup of teams projected to be at the top of the league. In this article, we take a closer look at the most interesting and compelling teams, including a hipster pick that stands out among the rest.
When people talk about “The Process,” they often remember it as a long and grueling period of uncertainty for the Philadelphia 76ers. They think of Sam Hinkie, the man behind it all, and his controversial decisions that left the team in a state of disarray. However, their recollection of the facts is flawed.
Yes, the Sixers were terrible for three seasons, but things started to turn around when Joel Embiid, the centerpiece of Hinkie’s plan, stepped onto the court. The team went from being just bad to becoming one of the best regular-season teams in the NBA. This goes to show that even the most dire situations can be reversed when the right players come together.
A similar situation arose in Oklahoma City in 2019 when the Thunder lost key players like Paul George and Russell Westbrook. The future looked bleak for a team that had been a regular in the playoffs for years. General manager Sam Presti acknowledged the need to rebuild from the ground up.
He wrote, “In saying goodbye to the past, we have begun to chart our future. The next great Thunder team is out there somewhere, but it will take time to seize and discipline to ultimately sustain.”
And so began the painstaking process of rebuilding the Thunder, which involved making numerous trades to gain control over the NBA Draft and finding talented young players to complement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the focal point of Presti’s plan.
In the first year of the rebuild, the Thunder surprised everyone by making a playoff push and winning 44 games. In the following years, the team struggled, but the foundation for the future was being laid with players like Josh Giddey and Mark Daigneault coming into the fold.
Last season, the pieces started to come together. Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as a star, the team improved on both ends of the court, and the Thunder narrowly missed out on a playoff spot.
There are many reasons to believe that the Thunder’s upward trajectory will continue this season. Despite their record, they performed better than expected last season, and they have a young and talented roster with some promising additions. They also have a surplus of draft picks and flexibility to make moves if they choose to do so.
One of the most exciting additions is Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft. After missing his rookie season due to injury, Holmgren has shown great promise in the preseason and could be a key piece for the Thunder.
With all the positive indicators heading into the season, the Thunder have every reason to be optimistic that they are no longer a team in transition but one that has arrived.
The question now is whether Presti’s long-term vision will start to shift towards immediate success if the team performs well in the early part of the season. With their assets and flexibility, the Thunder have the tools to make moves and accelerate their progress.
However, Presti remains patient and focused on the long-term success of the team. He recognizes that they are still a young team with much to learn and develop. But as the Thunder continue to grow and improve, the future looks bright for this exciting and talented squad.
