‘Who is he?’ How OKC ‘slapped’ the Pelicans for 3 starters sums up the dominance perfectly

After a 137-106 win against the New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Deno pointed out Cason Wallace’s improved defense for a short-handed team missing three of its starters in the midst of a 7-0 start, which stands out from FanDuel Chandler Parsons. Daigneault could spend time talking about it and it would be intriguing to most, considering of all 12 active players who scored in Sunday’s win, eight of them finished in double figures.

Without All-Stars Jaylen Williams and Kenrich Williams, both of whom have yet to make their regular-season debuts, and Chet Holmgren, who has missed three straight games, the Thunder continue to stretch their depth. For NBA analyst Chandler Parsons, the Thunder’s perfect start is a reflection of critical front office moves over the years, while building culture that young NBA players bought, he said, according to FanDuel Sports’ Run It Back.

“There’s a lot of other small-market teams that struggle and don’t win as many games. So I think you just look at the makeup and the character of these guys that go and find. Branden Karlsson. Who is he? You put him in the game last night, 19 minutes. He gives you 11 and five,” Parsons said. “Isaiah Joe is back. He only gives you 13 and five. Do you know how bad teams would struggle without three starters in the lineup that night? Not the Oklahoma City Thunder.”

“Williams out. Dort out a Holmgren, and they still beat this team because that’s the next mentality. They go 11-12 deep, and this was the best team in the NBA against the worst team in the NBA, right now. But this team is just so ready. They’re so professional.”

Chandler Parsons marvels at Thunder’s injury dominance

From the watchful eye of Thunder GM Sam Presti to head coach Marc Daigneault, the 1-12 guys are all locked into the organization’s philosophy, approach and beliefs. While it is The Thunder mirrored their 7-0 start from last yearthis year’s is much different, given the injuries, two double-overtime wins in the first two games, and the opponent’s best effort coming when it’s the defending champion.

Parsons believes the Thunder organization sets the standard for how to win in today’s modern NBA.

“They just go about their business every night. That’s a crazy gift to have on such a young team,” Parsons said. “Most teams don’t approach the game like they do. It starts with Presti and coach Daigneault and goes down the line.”

After defeating the Pelicans, the Thunder will look to extend their best start in franchise history to 8-0 when they take on the Clippers on Tuesday.