Gordon Hayward on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Dominance: “It’s No Surprise
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Gordon Hayward #33 of the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Gordon Hayward has firsthand knowledge of the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s superiority. The Thunder’s 14-year NBA career ended last season after the former All-Star forward was traded midseason from the Charlotte Hornets.
The 34-year-old was allowed to compete for a championship with the No. 1-seeded Thunder, where he played in 26 regular-season games as a key reserve. OKC has once again become a powerhouse despite entering last season as the NBA’s second-youngest team and now having the youngest roster at just over 24 years old.
The Thunder have maintained their dominance with a league-best 54-12 record (.818) and have recently won their second game of the season against the reigning champion Boston Celtics. Their success, however, comes as no surprise to Hayward.
“If you asked me that question last year, I would have said yes,” Hayward told RG when asked if he was surprised by OKC’s continued rise. “[Based] upon what they did last year, it’s not surprising that they’re still doing it this year. Last year was their welcome to the big stage. It’s not just that we have a bunch of talent—it’s that they were putting it all together and winning games.”
A Team on the Verge of a Breakthrough
The Thunder are on track to surpass last season’s 57-25 record (.695) and are currently trailing the 42-24 Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets by 12 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and head coach Mark Daigneault made their first playoff appearance last season, but they were cut short by No. 5-seeded Dallas Mavericks. That experience may have been exactly what the Thunder needed.
“The playoffs are a different animal, and the experiences they gained from last year will help them this year,” Hayward explained. “They’re extremely well-coached. I think one thing that they have is really good role definition and a hierarchy on the court. It’s a natural hierarchy I feel like they’ve been building. In the NBA, that’s hard to find. But they guard really well, and that gives them an edge.”
SGA’s MVP Campaign
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the lead player for OKC, is averaging 32.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game, making him the frontrunner for the NBA MVP award. Hayward is convinced that SGA has the edge over Nikola Joki, even though he continues to be a formidable opponent, recording 29.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game, including the league’s first-ever 30-point, 20-rebound, 20-assist game.
“I think Shai is going to win MVP,” Hayward predicted.
The Thunder appear to be more prepared than ever as the playoffs approach. OKC is now a legitimate championship contender with the help of experience, elite coaching, and an MVP-caliber leader.
