Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Fared pretty well against the Raptors.. not so much against Brooklyn, as to be expected though.

Wembanyama!! Cannot wait to see him take over the league. Glad you added him (and a few of the others too).

Yes, this new set of sliders is playing incredibly well for sure. After three games - TOR, BKN, ATL - it's clear that we are not an elite team, will play well against playoff teams and should be able to beat up on the cellar dwellers.

Yes! Wemby is coming to my universe! It's so hard to rely on someone creating a realistic, full draft class for each year so I decided I'll just grab Player DNAs of those I want to add and allow the game to create the draft classes going forward.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Memphis’ Size, Strength Too Much for Thunder





Early on in the game it seemed like Chet Holmgren (14 pts, 12 reb, 1 stl, 2 blk) was up for his biggest challenge yet as he finished this layup attempt while getting shoved in the side by Andre Drummond (23 pts, 18 reb, 1 stl). As the game wore on, though, it was clear the physicality was at another level that the rookie wasn’t ready for.



The ever-exciting Ja Morant (23 pts, 4 reb, 7 ast, 1 blk) showed early that he could get to any spot he wanted on the floor and was making shot after shot look easy and as if he were on the floor by himself. Even when bracketed by Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (28 pts, 3 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl), Morant was unphased and calmly finished this close range jumper.



Looking to potentially regain his position in the starting lineup, Darius Bazley (8 pts, 7 reb) takes second year forward Ziaire Williams (2 pts, 1 stl) for a ride on the baseline and finishes with his strong hand high off the glass.



While doing most of his work in the mid-range or in the lane, Ja banged a three from the top of the key over his superstar counterpart SGA. Never one to back down from a good showboat, Morant made sure the Thunder and the crowd knew he had the range out to three tonight.



Rocking his new kicks, Isaiah Roby (2 pts, 3 reb) got himself a big time dunk in the lane around Steven Adams (5 pts, 6 reb) for the loud finish.



Reigning NBA champion Andre Drummond (23 pts, 18 reb, 1 stl) was too much for young Chet Holmgren to handle on the night as he muscled his way to every rebound and finished with authority over and over again. On this particular play, Drummond got in great position, bumped Holmgren off his spot and elevated for the rebound and putback jam all in one fluid motion.



It’s not every game that Gilgeous-Alexander struggles on defense but Ja was having his way with him. A couple nifty dribble moves on the wing got Shai stepping the wrong way and Morant quickly shifted direction and blew by him in the lane and finished with a soft finger roll in the lane.



Though most of his damage has been done in the lane between last season and early this season, the expansion in his offensive game is coming. While he has been expected to shoot more threes this year, the team has also looked to work in his lethal midrange shot as well.



The Grizzlies were scary on the defensive end inside the paint and on the perimeter and the addition of Gary Payton II (5 pts, 2 ast, 2 stl) is a big reason why as he picks Tre Mann clean just over half court for the steal and easy lay in on the other end.



Pretty much the final play any of the regulars for the Thunder saw on the night, SGA attempted a running floater in the lane over Ja Morant. It was seemingly a well executed shot until Jaren Jackson Jr. (11 pts, 8 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk) came flying out of nowhere to swat it out of bounds. With just six minutes left in the game and the lead at 18, Coach Daigneault had seen enough and emptied his bench. Unfortunately for the Thunder, the Grizzlies played their starters the duration of the 4th and got beaten up even worse.

[hoopla32]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Huge games from Chet and SGA in the Hawks win. That was impressive.

What template are you using for your boxscores? Or how are you making them if you don't mind me asking?

[HarkTheSound]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Hell of a win against the Hawks, but humbled real quick against the Grizzlies. Looks like its feast or famine for this Thunder squad through the first few games.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Huge games from Chet and SGA in the Hawks win. That was impressive.

What template are you using for your boxscores? Or how are you making them if you don't mind me asking?

SGA and Chet were on another level against the Hawks and we clearly needed every ounce of production they provided. That game was thrilling from start to finish.

I created the template on Google Sheets. Took a while to make the template to my liking but updating it after each game is seamless with just having to type in the info.

Hell of a win against the Hawks, but humbled real quick against the Grizzlies. Looks like its feast or famine for this Thunder squad through the first few games.

Feast or famine is a great way to describe our performances so far this season. When we are connecting on our threes we are really tough to beat but against the Grizz we were cold and just got completely bullied on the interior on both ends of the floor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[ZSmit88]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

That was ROUGH. Drummond wasn't letting Chet off easy. I like the addition of overall ratings in the box score, nice touch.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Just over a month into the season, we take a look at the early standings and do one up and one down from each division.

Atlantic Division:

1 Up - Turning back the clock, Pascal Siakam (86) seems to be finding his form with 17.3 points, 8.5 boards and 3.8 dimes on 53% shooting from the floor including 38.5% from deep. The Raptors have always been built as a team rather than around a single superstar - sans the Kawhi season - and this year is no different.

1 Down - With the 8th worst offense and 3rd worst defense in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers might quickly learn that the duo of Joel Embiid (96) and James Harden (90) just aren’t going to get it done without some serious help around them. Tyrese Maxey (85) is averaging 18.6 points per game on 60% FG and 51.5% 3PT, but the rest of the team brings little-to-nothing to the table.

Central Division:

1 Up - The catalyst of the Pacers so far has been 3rd year guard Tyrese Haliburton (86) as he is seeing career highs across the board: 19.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.7 blocks, 48.8% FG and 46.3% 3PT.

1 Down - The team saw plenty of departures over the summer in free agency, but the biggest loss of this team so far this season is Khris Middleton (85). Still about a month away from recovering from his torn right achilles, we won’t know how good this team can be in their current form until he comes back. Will it be too late for the Bucks to make a playoff push by then?

Southeast Division:

1 Up - Though he was drafted as a top defender in the 2022 NBA Draft, rookie Damion Collins (80) is better than advertised on that end, being mentioned with some of the elite big men defenders in the league. While his 1.7 stocks aren’t going to blow your mind, his defensive acumen and intelligence has seemingly grown leaps and bounds with just a couple months of professional coaching.

1 Down - The Miami Heat are struggling and it seems to be because of the broken left ankle Kyle Lowry (77) suffered just before the season started. Without their lead guard in the lineup, the Heat have had to start rookie Charlie McCleod (73) at point guard. The 30th selection of the draft out of Florida Gulf Coast is clearly not ready to be even a rotational player in the league, let alone a starter, and Miami most likely will be in the market for a fill-in until Lowry returns.

To try to boost their lineup, the Heat traded away Eric Gordon (73) and an unprotected 1st round pick in 2026 to Charlotte for P.J. Washington (80), who recently demanded a trade out of Charlotte. Washington will pair up with Bam Adebayo (88) to provide a stretch big on the squad as well as another intimidating interior defender.

Southwest Division:

1 Up - The #1 offense in the entire NBA resides in New Orleans as the Pelicans average 117.2 ppg. The next closest, the Brooklyn Nets, average over six points per game less than the Pelicans. Featuring arguably the best starting five in the league of Mike Conley (82), C.J. McCollum (86), Brandon Ingram (87), Zion Williamson (93) and Jonas Valanciunas (83), there’s no doubt they are the current favorites to come out of the Western Conference.

1 Down - Jaren Jackson Jr. (87) is averaging the least amount of points he has in his entire career, currently sitting at 10.6 per game. Even worse than that is he’s shooting a paltry 34% from the floor. His shooting efficiency has been on a decline every year since he’s entered the league and many question whether he can really be the #2 to Ja Morant (96) and challenge for a title.

Northwest Division:

1 Up - There’s no player in the division besides his teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (89) and Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (95) putting up numbers like rookie sensation Chet Holmgren (83). At 24.8 points, 16.0 rebounds and 3.7 blocks on 68% shooting, he’s running away with Rookie of the Year and is in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation as a rookie.

1 Down - The player selected after Holmgren, JD Davison (76), has struggled beyond belief. While his averages of 7.0 points, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals on 36% shooting is hurting their record, this is playing out beautifully for the Jazz looking to grab the top pick in the draft next year. One positive in his stat line is he’s connecting on 42% of his 3PAs.

Pacific Division:

1 Up - Paul George (86) has seen his scoring numbers and shooting efficiency climb to a level the Clippers have never seen in his tenure. Averaging 25.0 points on 56/56/70 shooting, he’s also grabbing 4.7 boards, dishing 4.2 assists and adding 2.3 steals per game for a Clippers team looking to win an elusive title behind PG13 and his running mate Kawhi Leonard (94).

1 Down - The Phoenix Suns offense is averaging just 93.6 points per game which is 4th worst in the entire Western Conference. Their -2.7 scoring differential is also 4th worst in the conference and are currently on a 4-game losing streak. While a disgruntled DeAndre Ayton (87) is playing for a max contract elsewhere, averaging 14.3 points and 14.3 boards, we are beginning to see the decline of Chris Paul (87) as he’s averaging under 10 points per game, just 7.0 assists and his FG% is barely hanging over 40%.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

That was ROUGH. Drummond wasn't letting Chet off easy. I like the addition of overall ratings in the box score, nice touch.

Drummond has dominated us two years in a row, last year with Brooklyn and this year with Memphis, regardless of who we put on him. Just one of our weaknesses on the front line.

Thanks, I think adding the OVR rating of players helps to understand how good a team and a player is throughout the franchise.

[studbucket]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Fun seeing the duo of Chet and SGA work together, though it still seems like your outcomes can be predicted based on the rebounding battle. If Chet gets boards, you win. If he doesn't, you lose. Poku is just a complementary rebounder and is ideally your 3rd or 4th rebounder, not second.

Glad the new sliders are good for you. This season should be a fulfilling one.

[kibaxx7]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

I won't lie to you, ever since the Sonics left the league, I've had nothing but hate for the Thunder, but I won't root against you. Good luck

[studbucket]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

I moved to Seattle the year that the Sonics left for OKC. I had just finished a process of figuring out who my NBA team would be. As a kid, I followed Alonzo Mourning, when he retired I had no team for 3-4 years. It all came down to the Raptors, Bucks, and Sonics after basically eliminating every other team for some reason.

I couldn't choose the Raptors because they were from Canada and I had no connection. I wanted to choose the Sonics, but I knew they were leaving, so I became a Bucks fan. I'm happy. The early years weren't good, but it's all worth it to cheer for Giannis.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Holmgren, Thunder Outshine James, Lakers in National TV Spotlight





Aggressive early and often, Chet Holmgren (28 pts, 17 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk) wasn’t afraid to shoot it from outside the paint. After scoring eight of the first 11 Thunder points, Holmgren rose up over the diminutive John Wall (25 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast, 4 stl) and knocked down the long two.



Showing off his incredible versatility in what some considered a mirror match, Chet called for a screen with Anthony Davis (20 pts, 18 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk) covering him. With a quick brush screen, the rookie was able to get a step on Davis, get into the lane and finish with a strong dunk. The continuing growth of Holmgren’s game on the offensive end is beginning to become very scary for the entire league.



The lack of depth on the Lakers was apparent as soon as the bench came in and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (18 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) was sure to take advantage of it as he got an easy bucket in the lane against Kendrick Nunn (8 pts, 3 ast) and rookie 2nd round pick Jesse Dawkins (6 pts, 4 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk).



John Wall looked comfortable in the purple and gold running the offense and staying aggressive getting his own buckets. After getting a screen from Hassan Whiteside (2 pts, 1 blk) and seeing SGA get stuck underneath, Wall showed off his three ball to keep the defense honest.



Seemingly playing angry after getting punked by the Memphis Grizzlies in his last outing, Chet Holmgren was out to prove he wasn’t going to be bullied again tonight. Against the much stronger Whiteside, Holmgren snatched an offensive rebound out of the air and went up, cocked it back and hammered home on the veteran big man.



The threes were falling for the Thunder tonight as R.J. Hampton (10 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast) connects on one of the team’s 11 triples right before the end of the first half.



In his first start of the season, seeing Aleksej Pokusevski (0 pts, 3 reb) moved to the bench, Darius Bazley (13 pts, 6 reb, 1 stl) was as active as ever running the floor, hitting the glass and even showed the ability to knock down this corner three on the feed from Gilgeous-Alexander. It seems like the starting power forward spot next to Holmgren belongs to Bazley going forward.



Showing signs of aging in what is expected to be his final season in the league, LeBron James (17 pts, 6 reb, 8 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk) knows his jumper is going to need to be on to stay as dangerous as ever on offense. With the Thunder going under every screen, James rose up for a long two which he calmly knocked down.



Playing in front of the home crowd, Shai was feeling it on this three. As soon as he let it go, he got down into his crouch, stared it down and gave out a barbaric scream as the Thunder were beginning to pour it on the Lakers.



Much like Holmgren, Anthony Davis showed off all the skills that make him nearly unguardable by anyone in the league including this turn around fade away J over Isaiah Roby (2 pts, 1 reb). With the high release and the elevation on his jumper, this shot is unblockable.



Turning the corner, Darius Bazley chose violence as he drove through and over Kendrick Nunn for the poster that had Chesapeake Energy Arena on their feet about to blow the roof off the place.



Just when you underestimate his athleticism at his age, LeBron reminds you he’s still a freak as he drove the lane against the Thunder’s backup back court, extends his right arm way back and hammers home one of his patented dunks in the lane.



What year are we in?!? John Wall buries a triple with four minutes left in the game and now trailing by 13 and decides to hit the Dab on the way back. Shai’s bench at the scorer’s table says it all.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Fun seeing the duo of Chet and SGA work together, though it still seems like your outcomes can be predicted based on the rebounding battle. If Chet gets boards, you win. If he doesn't, you lose. Poku is just a complementary rebounder and is ideally your 3rd or 4th rebounder, not second.

Glad the new sliders are good for you. This season should be a fulfilling one.

Having a ton of fun playing with SGA and Chet for sure. Giddey playing that third man role is a great spot for him as well. Holmgren is definitely carrying us on the glass and with him on the floor we are able to clean up a lot of the mess we saw last season on defense.

Poku was an experiment in the starting lineup hoping that his length would allow him, next to Chet, to be a solid rebounder and shot blocker. Neither has really taken form and now Darius Bazley finds himself back in the starting lineup and I'm already liking how we are starting games with him.

The new set of sliders have definitely made this a much more enjoyable experience and way more challenging than any point last year.

I won't lie to you, ever since the Sonics left the league, I've had nothing but hate for the Thunder, but I won't root against you. Good luck

I would welcome some bad blood into this thread! Would be fun to have a heckler following along haha.

I moved to Seattle the year that the Sonics left for OKC. I had just finished a process of figuring out who my NBA team would be. As a kid, I followed Alonzo Mourning, when he retired I had no team for 3-4 years. It all came down to the Raptors, Bucks, and Sonics after basically eliminating every other team for some reason.

I couldn't choose the Raptors because they were from Canada and I had no connection. I wanted to choose the Sonics, but I knew they were leaving, so I became a Bucks fan. I'm happy. The early years weren't good, but it's all worth it to cheer for Giannis.

Man, that's pretty horrible timing on your move to Seattle and the Sonics' move to OKC. I can't imagine being a Bucks fan was very enjoyable for quite some time but glad you got yourself a title to enjoy and there definitely should be another in the future!

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Gobert, Timberwolves Deny Thunder of Comeback Win





Going into any game against Minnesota, you definitely aren’t gameplanning to slow down Jaylen Nowell (21 pts, 4 ast, 1 stl) who is now making a living being the 4th option on offense as he spots up and knocks down wide open jumpers. In just under five minutes of game time, Nowell caught this pass from Russell in the corner and knocked down his third three of the game.



Coming off of a down screen, Chet Holmgren (38 pts, 12 reb, 2 blk) had Anthony Edwards (30 pts, 3 ast, 3 stl) came running out at him. Holmgren gave him the old show-and-go, got into the lane and finished with a two-handed slam in traffic.



Never gun shy when coming into the game, Max Christie (6 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast) got up four threes in just four minutes of play in the first quarter, connecting on two of them. A streaky shooter, he’s been given the green light to shoot whenever he is open, much like this one.



After seeing Edwards get blown by, Naz Reid (10 pts, 6 reb, 1 stl) came out under control to keep from getting beat off the dribble. With too much air space, Holmgren settled for the three and knocked it down.



In foul trouble early, D’Angelo Russell (16 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl) was a step slow trying to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (23 pts, 6 reb, 14 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk) on the baseline and picked up his 4th foul with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.



Though Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander will get the credit for their massive double-doubles, it was Josh Giddey (24 pts, 7 ast, 1 stl) was the one who really manufactured the comeback to get the game within one at one point in the final 12 minutes. He hit tough shot after tough shot, including this pull-up over Nowell in the short corner.



When it was winning time, the Timberwolves’ top-3 players all made plays to deflate the hopes of the Thunder. First it was Russell banging down a long two after SGA got caught on Towns’ screen.



Next up was the highlight by Anthony Edwards who got a full head of steam and tomahawked one on young Josh Giddey.



Lastly, a dagger three by KAT on the left wing over Darius Bazley killed all hope of the Thunder stealing this win at home.

[ZSmit88]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Very impressive win over LA. The bigs present a little trouble?