National Basketball Association

Oklahoma City Thunder: Five Questions Going Into The Season

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 2:02 a.m. ET

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The Oklahoma City Thunder got a taste of preseason action Monday. The excitement ran high as the Thunder showed they can score at will.

Sep 23, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5), Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) pose for portraits during Oklahoma City Thunder media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder are arguably the most exciting team in the NBA. Yesterday, the Thunder played their first exhibition game against Real Madrid in Spain. The Thunder came out in a good rhythm and made good shots. However, they would lose the game, 142-137.

There’s a ton of positives following this game. The distribution of scoring was well balanced. Enes Kanter scored 29 points, Victor Oladipo scored 34 points, Alex Abrines scored 12 points, and Anthony Morrow had eight points in 12 minutes.

The ball movement was exceptional, all but three Thunder players scored in yesterday’s exhibition. However, within the game lies some underlining questions. These questions are going to are vital to the success of the season for Oklahoma City.

If I had to compare this Thunder team to any other team in NBA history, it would be the 1993-94 Chicago Bulls, the season following Michael Jordan‘s retirement. The Bulls would go 55-27, finish second in the division, and lose to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The only real difference is Scottie Pippen is no Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is a freak of nature in the NBA. Last season, Westbrook had the most triple-doubles in more than 30 seasons. Although, the Bulls had talent equal to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oklahoma City will have to rely heavily on their team chemistry in order to survive the season.

Also, the Thunder will have to utilize the newly acquired talent they have. Alex Abrines, Ersan Ilyasova, and Domantas Sabonis will have to provide valuable minutes consistently. Here are five important questions for Oklahoma City heading into the NBA season.

1. Can the Oklahoma City Thunder guard the perimeter?

Oklahoma City has always had trouble guarding the three-point line. It’s been a thorn in the side of this team for the last three seasons. Yesterday was no different, Real Madrid shot 20-for-37 from three against the Thunder.

Sergio Llull stood out on the three-point line, going 5-of-6. He also added nine assists to go along with his 22 points.

While the Thunder defended the paint really well, the game was won on the three-point line. The Thunder will have to do a better job guard the three. Guarding the perimeter will be critical this season.

With teams like Golden State, Portland, and the Los Angeles Clippers all with excellent three-point shooters, the Thunder will have to stay focused on the three-point line.

The fact that Real Madrid scored 76 points in the second half was alarming. They also chipped in 16 during overtime. While it’s only a preseason game, it was still difficult to swallow knowing that the Thunder will battle this aspect of defense during the season.

One thing that could eliminate this problem is strong rotations from the guards. Whether it’s a man-to-man or a zone defense, the Thunder will still have to rotate to the perimeter as well as the basket.

Maintaining a strong presence on the perimeter could be the key to defeating an excellent three-point shooting team in the playoffs.

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12, left) controls the basketball against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12, right) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

2. Can the Oklahoma City Thunder stay healthy during the preseason?

Monday, everyone gasped with bated breath as Steven Adams came down awkwardly on his right ankle. He gingerly limped off the floor and did not return to the game. As a result, the Thunder lost their defensive leader and post protector for the remainder of the game.

Adams absence would be a crushing blow to the Thunder early in this season. However, there hasn’t been any official word on the seriousness of the injury or a timetable for his return.

The Thunder have already lost second-year point guard Cameron Payne to a broken bone in his right foot. While Payne isn’t as big of a role player as Adams, every injury affects the team. Adams should likely miss the next couple of games to ensure his ankle sprain is OK.

I would be surprised if Adams appeared on the court before Oct. 11 when the Thunder face the Memphis Grizzlies.

Hopefully, the injury to Adams is nothing more than a slight ankle sprain and there will be no reason to panic. This team doesn’t need an injury to a key player like Adams. The Thunder must stay healthy during the regular season if they are to make some noise in the playoffs.

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (right) instructs guard Andre Roberson (21, left) during the second quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

3. Can Andre Roberson score more points this season?

Andre Roberson had a coming out party during the playoffs last season. In Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, he scored a career-high17 points against the Golden State Warriors. At first, we thought Roberson had turned a page in his offensive game.

On Monday, however, Roberson had just six points in 21 minutes of game time.

We all know that Roberson is considered a defensive anchor for this team. Plus, he’s not really needed to score with Westbrook, Oladipo, and Kanter on the floor. However, he should be averaging at least 21 points a game.

Roberson is a hidden key for the Thunder this season. He has to do it on both ends of the floor. Especially if he is going to be the option at the three position and it looks as if he is. Roberson is very good at spacing the floor and running to the basketball off the back-door cut.

However, his three-point shooting has to improve.

This is a big year for Roberson, he has to capitalize on the opportunity he has. While he is considered an elite defender, he must be a reliable offensive player as well.

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (left) instructs guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

4. Will Coach Donovan let Westbrook be Westbrook?

Russell Westbrook picked up where he left off last season Monday against Real Madrid. He notched 18 points, three rebounds, and four assists in just 22 minutes of game action. Westbrook has the keys to the offense and free range to do what he does.

However, when the shot stops falling will coach Billy Donovan attempt to control the three-point shots that Westbrook loves to take?

Normally, I would say no. With players of Westbrooks caliber, the coach is less likely to take a stand against that player. However, Donovan will have to remain steadfast in his approach with Westbrook.

Keeping his superstar happy is a priority, this along with keeping the team in a strong offensive rhythm. Both Donovan and Westbrook will have to work together in order to maintain the stability of the offense during this season.

Mar 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots the ball over Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

5. Just How good is the rest of the division?

This is a question that will be answered throughout the regular season. However, this is the first time in a long time that the Thunder are no longer the clear-cut favorites to win the northwest division. Many believe the Thunder will be topped by either Portland or Minnesota.

Minnesota is a team likely to make the biggest turnaround in the NBA this season. They have a ton of talent in Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine and, of course, Andrew Wiggins.

The biggest offseason addition is of course head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is a defensive guru in his own right.

Minnesota, if managed properly, could go from a 29-53 record last season to a 53-29 record this season. They will definitely be a team to watch this season.

Meanwhile, Portland is fresh off another impressive run in the playoffs. They went toe-to-toe with Golden State and lost in the Western semifinals 4-1.

The Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz will also be much improved coming into this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder can’t expect for the northwest division to be as wide open as it has been in previous years.

Whether OKC wins the division or not isn’t really a huge deal. They must make the playoffs. Winning the division would go a long way in ensuring a postseason appearance. The Thunder have the pieces needed to go great things this season.

The only thing is can they utilize all the talent correctly on the floor when clutch time presents itself.