The Thunder opened up the 2024-2025 season on September 30th, 2024, with media day. It was the first time Thunder fans got to see the new faces and hear the players talk about the upcoming season. The Thunder players brought up a lot of important things this upcoming season. They spoke about handling expectations, starting lineups, and what they worked on. Today, we are going to look at five key takeaways from the Thunder’s media day.
Oklahoma City Thunder Media Day: Key Takeaways for the 2024-2025 Season
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Leadership was a Theme for Thunder Media Day
When the Thunder started a rebuild in 2019 by trading away Paul George and Russell Westbrook, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the new face of the Thunder. This was more evident in the last two seasons when Shai elevated his game to being considered a top-five player in the NBA. His leadership has been one of the consistent things that is brought up from players every year, and that was no different this year. Here is what Kenrich Williams had to say about Shai’s leadership during Thunder’s media day.
“You follow somebody like that, you’re destined for greatness.”
Even the new players like Alex Caruso talked about SGA’s leadership.
Alex Caruso very complimentary of his new backcourt mate, SGA! 🤞#NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/Rdxt7r5dQu
— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024
SGA is the type of leader most teams would love to have. In addition, teams need to have a humble leader and someone who only cares about winning. The leader’s habits affect other players, and when the leader is humble, it makes it easier for other players to follow in line. However, if the leader wasn’t humble and only cared about himself, that negativity would also go to the other players that is when you see dysfunction in organizations and teams that struggle.
New Expectations, Same Mentality
Last season, the Thunder were still the underdogs, and they weren’t considered true contenders yet. However, after they won 57 games last year and claimed the number-one seed. In the offseason, they added players like Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. The expectations for this year have shifted, and the Thunder are one of the favorites now. This will be the first time this Thunder group has faced these expectations, and it was brought up throughout media day. Aaron Wiggins had this to say about the new expectations facing the Thunder.
“Obviously, the atmosphere is a little different. Guys don’t allow the atmosphere to affect their mentality.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander echoed these words in his response as well.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the expectations surrounding the Thunder this season: pic.twitter.com/BFmFr7jMnF
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) September 30, 2024
The Thunder players are aware of the expectations and are not shying away from them either. However, they are not going to change the identity and mentality that got them here. This is very important, especially for a young team when new expectations arise. Even though there are new expectations, you can’t change who you are, and you have to stick to what got you here.
Who will be the Starting Five for the Thunder?
One of the many questions surrounding this team coming into training camp is who will be the starting five? This offseason, the Thunder traded away Josh Giddey to the Bulls, which opened up a spot in the starting unit. However, with the arrival of Caruso and Hartenstein, there are many routes the Thunder can take with the starting five. This was brought up to Mark Daigneault during the Thunder’s media day.
“The ball hasn’t bounced yet. For me to come up here and talk about specific roles would be undermining the integrity of training camp.”
Hartenstein, who could be an option to start, was asked if he cared about starting or not.
New Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein on whether he cares to start or come off the bench: pic.twitter.com/D2HzalSvW1
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) September 30, 2024
It looks like Thunder fans are going to have to wait a little longer to see who the starting five will be. However, one thing that is for sure is Mark Daigneault is well-suited to make this decision.
Nikola Topic Getting Advice From Chet
Nikola Topic was the first pick the Thunder made in the 2024 draft. Unfortunately, he will miss his entire rookie season due to a knee injury. However, the Thunder has had recent success from a player missing their entire rookie season and having a redshirt rookie year. That player was Chet Holmgren, who missed his rookie campaign due to a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot. Topic shared during the Thunder’s media day the advice that Chet has given him.
Nikola Topic on Chet Holmgren’s advice about a redshirt rookie season:
“I talk to him a lot. The main thing he told me was be patient. So I’m trying to be patient.” pic.twitter.com/3EGzO2ZGCy
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) September 30, 2024
Topic couldn’t have been drafted to a better situation than the Thunder. Being patient is very important, and not rushing back to playing too fast. The best thing for him is to keep taking advice from Chet and follow the same path he did for his rookie season.
Cason Wallace Gaining Weight, and Advice From Caruso
Finally, the last takeaway is Cason Wallace’s advice he has received and how he has gained weight, as in muscle. Wallace is one of the more underrated players on the team, and a year-two jump from Wallace would do wonders for the Thunder. Wallace could be the Swiss Army knife for the Thunder this year. Alex Caruso sees the potential in him and has essentially taken him under his wing. Wallace had this to say about the advice Caruso had given him.
“He’s been telling me a lot on the offensive end. Helping me elevate my game.”
However, this wasn’t the only big takeaway from Wallace. Last year, Wallace was listed at 193 pounds, and this year, he is listed at 205. He was asked about this during media day.
Cason Wallace on gaining weight this offseason:
“Just knowing what it takes to play at this level…
That’s something I took seriously this summer.”
Wallace was listed at 193 last year. He’s at 205 now. pic.twitter.com/4UmfMYjDow
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) September 30, 2024
Wallace made his presence felt during his rookie season on the defensive end and quickly became the team’s second-best perimeter defender. With him, adding almost 10 pounds in muscle will make life even easier as a defender to where he won’t get beat by strength as much. Furthermore, if he can improve his offensive game and keep getting advice from guys like Caruso. The sky is the limit for Wallace’s potential.
The Last Word on the Thunder’s Media Day
This Thunder group is very close and tight, and it was shown during media day. The three constants that came out were facing new expectations but having the same mentality, the advice that was given amongst the Thunder players to one another, and SGA’s leadership. Thunder fans should be pleased with what they heard during media day and excited for this upcoming year. However, there were still questions that remained unanswered, and hopefully, answers to those will be resolved throughout the preseason.
