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Why The Thunder Should Have Two All-Stars

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The Thunder are in the knockout stage of the NBA Cup.

The Thunder have dominated almost every team they have played this year. Their 32-6 record is the second-best in the NBA and the best in the West. They are also six games ahead of the two-seed in the West while boasting the best defense in the NBA and the sixth-best offense. The All-Star game is one month away and the fan-voting for the All-Stars has been released. The Thunder had two players make the list for the all-star fan voting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was number one for guards and Jalen Williams was 7th for frontcourt.

Jalen Williams has improved in all three years he has been in the NBA. This year he is averaging career highs in every statistical category with 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks a game. These numbers are good enough to make the All-Star game, but Williams being 7th in the fan voting means he is on the borderline of making it. Let’s dive into why the Thunder should be rewarded with two All-Stars this year.

Why The Thunder Should Have Two All-Stars

Thunder are First in the West

One of the major reasons why the Thunder should get two All-Stars this year is that they are first in the West. The Thunder are not first in the West only because of how good Shai is. Williams is another factor toward their success. Last season, the Thunder didn’t have the first seed in the West when the All-Stars came out. However, in that same year, the one-seeded Timberwolves got two All-Stars. Since the NBA did it last year for the Timberwolves, they should do the same for the Thunder as both Jalen and Shai have the numbers to back it up.

Another thing to consider is how good this Thunder team has been despite several injuries this season. The Thunder are on pace to win around 70 games, and we are approaching the halfway point in the season without the Thunder being at full strength. This goes to show you how much Jalen Willams has stepped up as much as Shai to get them to the point they are.

Jalen Williams’s Importance to the Thunder’s Success

Jalen Williams’s stats are good enough to be an All-Star to where fans won’t complain saying he doesn’t deserve it. However, his stats don’t tell the whole story of his importance to the Thunder’s success. He might not be averaging 30 points like Shai is, but he is just nearly as important to the Thunder’s success. Williams’s ability to just change his play on a dime, from being aggressive in hunting his shots to being passive, is very impressive to watch.

Usually, when Williams is on the court with Shai, he is more passive and not aggressive at finding his shots. He still gets his shots with Shai on the court, but most of the time, he lets Shai do his thing. This is when he shows off his passing ability and sets up his teammates, which he has improved on every year. Then, Jalen switches gears when Shai goes to the bench. He becomes more aggressive as he is now the go-to guy. His ability to keep a lead, extend a lead, or cut into the opposing team’s lead when Shai is on the bench has been vital to the Thunder. His ability to switch gears like that and be great at both is what an All-Star is supposed to do.

Williams’s Versatility on Defense

In addition to being a versatile offensive player who can switch gears on a dime, Williams does the same on defense. He is one of the few players in the NBA tasked with guarding all positions and has done it pretty successfully. Even with him being 6’5″, he can cover taller and bigger players due to his own strength and rare wingspan. The Thunder trust him to cover essentially anyone on the floor.

Williams being able to do this is a big reason why the Thunder are able to play small ball so effectively, especially with only one healthy center for a majority of the season. Not only does he hold opposing players to low shooting percentages when he is guarding them, he is also top-15 in steals per game (1.7) and top three in total steals (66). His ability to play both ends at a high level along with Shai is why they are one of the best duo’s in the NBA.

The Last Word on Thunder Having Two All-Stars

Everyone knew Shai was going to be an All-Star, as he is an MVP candidate barring any injuries. However, given the circumstances of the Thunder’s success despite injuries and Williams’s two-way impact, Williams should make the all-star for the first time this year. The NBA should reward the Thunder with two All-Stars with everything they have accomplished, especially when both players have the numbers to back it up. If Jalen doesn’t make the All-Star game this year, it will be one of the bigger snubs of the year.

The post Why The Thunder Should Have Two All-Stars appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.