Nuggets coach knows why Thunders future is scary for rest of NBA

Published: Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 4:30 pm

Nuggets Coach Sees Scary Future for Thunder, Drawing Parallels to Nuggets' Rise

Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman is sounding the alarm for the rest of the NBA, highlighting the frightening potential of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Adelman sees striking similarities between the young Thunder duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams and the Nuggets' championship-winning core of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

Adelman, drawing on his experience with the Nuggets' development, believes the Thunder's youth and hunger mirror the early stages of Jokic and Murray's journey to the 2023 NBA title. He's impressed by the composure and comfort Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams display, even in their second postseason run. He notes that the Thunder's dominance throughout the regular season, often leading to decisive victories, is a sign of their potential. While experience in close games is valuable, Adelman suggests the Thunder's current trajectory is even more concerning for their rivals.

The article also touches on Jalen Williams' perspective following the Thunder's Game 3 loss. Despite leading the team in scoring, Williams downplayed concerns about his late-game usage, emphasizing the importance of getting the ball to Gilgeous-Alexander, whom he considers the "best closer in the NBA." Williams acknowledged his own opportunities and expressed satisfaction with his role, highlighting the team's collective approach.

The Thunder, currently trailing 1-2 in their series, will look to even the score in Game 4 on Sunday.

BNN's Perspective: Adelman's assessment is insightful. While the Thunder's youth may be a perceived weakness, their raw talent and the leadership of Gilgeous-Alexander, combined with the team's overall depth, make them a legitimate threat. The Nuggets' success story serves as a blueprint, and the Thunder are clearly on a similar path. The key will be how quickly they learn and adapt in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs.

Keywords: NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, David Adelman, Playoffs, Game 4, Basketball, NBA Playoffs, Thunder vs Nuggets, NBA Championship, Young Players, Team Development, Close Games, Scoring, Postseason, NBA News

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