Matt Sanders

Decided to create a separate Twitter account for NBA content

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

@imissgortle Would love that, but not sure we can afford his current contract through its entirety

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

There’s gonna be point in which this team learns how to embrace the big moments like AC does, and once that skill is aquifer, then you can think about moving off his contract.

[Polymarket Hoops @PolymarketHoops]

Alex Caruso is regarded as an ‘untouchable’ cornerstone of the Thunder’s core, per @anthonyVslater.

OKC won’t be moving off his contract.

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

@DuhThunduh But his level of play goes to an absurd level in all aspects.

You can always expect him to make winning plays in the clutch, but in this year’s WCF, he was shooting at an insane level.

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

Tim Legler is one of the best that ESPN has to offer in terms of analysis without the hype/narratives.

Notice.. no demanding he get traded or re-evaluating his value.

The loudest voices in the sport side with the hysteria to appease the masses.

[NBA Base @TheNBABase]

ESPN's Tim Legler on Chet Holmgren’s Game 7 performance

"There is no denying he was shook, he was rattled. It affected the way he was processing the game, and it completely took away his aggressiveness. He started to look like a guy that was afraid of failure, and when you start to play that way as a professional athlete, that’s exactly what it’s going to look like. You don't take chances anymore. You'd rather play it safe and disappear than to try and have it not work out — drive at Wemby and have him block your shot, try to get there in time to stop Wemby at the rim and he get dunked on again. It's better not to try than to have that happen again. That's exactly what he looked like."

(Via @ALLCITY_NBA)

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

@killianhoops I have come to appreciate and value SGA’s cerebral approach to the game. He’s proven it doesn’t change based on performance.

I also am willing to bet he’s got several lingering injuries that he was playing through.

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

@Prhymate777 Think less of his defense after our series, but there’s so much Russ in his game lol

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

I hate that I love this answer.

[Underdog NBA @UnderdogNBA]

Stephon Castle on suggestions that the Spurs are not floppers and if they are leaving gamesmanship on the table:

"I don't really know to answer that, because I sell calls too, I can't lie."

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

I think the funniest part of the McCain trade was that the sole FRP in addition to the 3 SRPs, was for this year’s Houston pick rather than their own (pick 22 v pick 17)

Again, Morey did this to get under the cap, so there was no plan to make a playoff run. What a disaster

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

Caso has an older brother who’s had to work his way through the G, 2-ways, & eventually got a standard contract.

He knows how the business works. Nothing that he said was wrong. Getting him on-ball minutes is gonna be the toughest on court equation to solve tho.

[ClutchPoints @ClutchPoints]

"I'm not money-driven. I want to compete. ... Whether I get paid this summer or not, I'm going to get better because that's what I have to do to stay in this league."

Cason Wallace on his future with the Thunder.

(via @SuaveCEO_)

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

@gruen_seb I agree. Presti’s MO has been to never let anyone reach FA without receiving something in return

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

I mean, it’s a team option. There was a never a doubt about that part.

An extension for more years and less money is what OKC fans should be hoping for.

[Fullcourtpass @Fullcourtpass]

There is a strong anticipation that Isaiah Hartenstein will be on the Thunder next season, per @BannedMacMahon

(https://t.co/6tjQWoUury)

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

@mistiiprod Genuinely seems like it. Excited to hop on the bandwagon for the series

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

Typically, I lean heavily against big markets, but this Knicks team is genuinely very easy to cheer for.

[Underdog NBA @UnderdogNBA]

Josh Hart on Victor Wembanyama potentially guarding him in the Finals:

"The only unanimous Defensive Player of the Year is guarding me. That’s a good sign for me. That means I'm a pretty good basketball player."

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

@Nickgibson1991 I’m sure the statue will be at the new arena. New stadium will be closer to Bricktown

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

Sometimes OKC fans make an SGA v Russ debate, but in all reality, both will go down as GOATs, will incredibly opposite approaches to their craft.

Russ hasn’t forgotten OKC or the connections he built here. Made a six figure donation for the new stadium being built downtown.

[Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto]

Russell Westbrook, an investor in OKC’s new multipurpose stadium and surrounding district, speaks at the groundbreaking today.

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

@wesoqueso Picking and choosing series (that are totally match up dependent) to defend your Chet hate is not a good argument.

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

The writing off of Chet bc of a bad series is the definition of done a prisoner of the moment.

Chet had just finished off an all-star and all-NBA regular season, and averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds against the Lakers.

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

@EthanNickel4 Think that’s what ultimately happens. Being without Dort and Cason would take a lot of firepower away from an elite defense.

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

Personally, I think you overpay if needed now, and down the road, if that money you think belongs to Ajay, you tried him for assets.

I would be shocked if Presti doesn’t get a deal done. Presti will not let another player get to FA regardless of their role after KD.

[OKC Thunder Stats @ThunderNumbers]

If Cason Wallace were to reach restricted free agency next offseason, he would get a max contract from a team.

It will be fascinating what number Cason and Sam Presti agree to this Summer. Cason is a fantastic player with a ton of growth potential. I love watching him play.

[Matt Sanders @MattSandersNBA]

Chet: Phenom

SGA: Drafted 12 & traded twice in first two years
Dort: Undrafted
JDub: Mid-major college (had 3 offers)
iHart: 43rd pick, gleague stint, OKC his 6th team

The list goes on… AC, Joe, Ajay, KRich, McCain, JWill

Just a team of gritty guys w/ uncommon career paths

[Clemente Almanza @CAlmanza1007]

Isaiah Hartenstein had a tongue-in-cheek comment that the Thunder have plenty of underdog, easy-to-root-stories on their roster. But things are a ‘little different now’

When asked what he meant by that, he said: “Next question.”