As the NBA season draws to a close, the league reflects on remarkable individual and team performances that defined the year. Whether it’s Nikola Jokic’s game-sealing offense, Trae Young’s assist records, players have raised the bar. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s record-breaking season, coupled with standout defensive plays from Jaren Jackson Jr., and the Detroit Pistons’ impressive turnaround, highlight a year filled with thrilling basketball.
Jokic, the reigning MVP, proved himself once again to be a closer, leading the Game 7s in clutch points and assists. His execution in close contests has locked in his reputation for making him one of the most critical components for the success of the Denver Nuggets. Trae Young led the entire league in total points and assists during the fourth quarter. He showed again that when it’s crunch time, he knows how to make big plays. This season, he achieved a milestone that hadn’t been seen since 1997: over 200 fourth-quarter assists, a feat last accomplished by NBA legend John Stockton.
Thunder’s Historic Season
The Oklahoma City Thunder were a historically bad team this season! They became the seventh team in NBA history to win at least 68 games. A renewed Thunder offense was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged a league-high 32.7 points per game. He did this while converting through a ridiculous 51.9% from the field. His scoring prowess was integral to the team’s success, as their offense plummeted to the league’s worst without him in the lineup.
One more fun fact – the Thunder have created quite a stir this season! They set a record for point differential, outscoring their opponents by more than 1,000 points. That great stat is a testament to this team’s dominance on both sides of the ball. In doing so, it underscores their evolution into a true league powerhouse.
“If you didn’t know Nikola had won three MVPs, and I put Player A and Player B on paper… he wins 10 times out of 10,” – Michael Malone
Perhaps most importantly, Head Coach Michael Malone’s confidence in Jokic speaks to the fact that everyone realizes Jokic is a really special player. The praise hasn’t exclusively been bestowed upon Jokic, as the entire Thunder roster proved to be a major step up from Jokic’s first season in Oklahoma City.
Defensive Standouts and Team Achievements
Jaren Jackson Jr. emerged as a notable defensive force for the Memphis Grizzlies, showcasing his versatility by defending guards, forwards, and centers for over 800 possessions. On both ends of the floor, he has an incredible strong impact on the game. This combined skill has made him a heavy favorite for DPOY. Jackson’s presence on the court is evident, as Memphis’ defense has been over four points per 100 possessions worse with him on the bench.
In an exhilarating duel with Stephen Curry, Houston Rockets’ Thompson brought the house down with unparalleled on-ball defense. He successfully keyed on Curry to only allow him three points. This performance exemplified Thompson’s defensive capabilities and underscored his importance to Houston’s game strategy.
The Detroit Pistons achieved in-season NBA posterization this year by tripling their win total from last season. This incredible comeback very much captures their development under first year head coach Evidan Tavares, and the tactical shifts implemented over a course of the season.
Emerging Contenders for Awards
As the league gears up for its awards presentations, a number of players are in the running for awards and accolades in multiple categories. Alexander-Walker and Beasley are duking it out tooth-and-nail for All-NBA team berths. Along with them in this fight are fellow Cavaliers De’Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome. Their performances during the course of the entire season have garnered a ton of national attention and accolades.
Bickerstaff has played a crucial role in instilling defensive buy-in from his young roster, further enhancing their competitiveness in a challenging league environment. That commitment to defense has played a huge role in the teams’ turnaround, with teams like the Cavs and Pistons getting better defensively.
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