NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the playoffs facing questions about their relative youth and playoff inexperience.
Four games later, the Thunder is on to the second round after a convincing sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans.
“That’s another thing for us to not think about,” Thunder forward Jalen Williams said. “We’re coming in to compete — no matter how old we are.”
The average age on the Thunder roster was less than 24 years old when the playoffs began. But coach Mark Daigneault, named NBA coach of the year this week, has been quick to point out that youth and maturity are not mutually exclusive.
“We have a mature team. We have a committed team,” Daigneault said. “We’ve got an uncommon group of people and players.”
That maturity was on full display in the way the Thunder have committed to defense, holding the Pelicans to 92 or fewer points in each game of the first round.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
Trump sets fundraising record with $50.5M from Florida eventChinese vice premier calls on central SOEs to contribute more to Tibet's developmentChina's wholeTwo people killed, five others injured in Washington, D.C. shootingMiro Heiskanan, Jason Robertson lead Stars past Kraken 3Xi's vision can serve as pillar of multilateralismJets score 4 goals in 1st period, beat Avalanche 7Capitals' Nick Jensen is conscious and alert after being stretchered off the iceXi's vision can serve as pillar of multilateralismDisciplinary inspector expelled from CPC, public office
2.2399s , 6574.265625 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by Thunder brushed off questions about youth, inexperience, in first ,Global Gazette news portal