The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are proving {that a} younger core can, in truth, obtain greatness.
After profitable the NBA championship final season, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have began the 2025-26 marketing campaign in dominant vogue.
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They’re presently main the Western Convention with a stellar 12-1 report , with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sustaining his MVP-caliber efficiency.
The reigning MVP is averaging 32.5 factors, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per sport, main the Thunder to this scorching begin even with out his All-Star co-star, Jalen Williams, who’s sidelined with a wrist harm.
Curiously, whilst Shai is in his prime, NBA analyst Invoice Simmons believes the Thunder have already discovered a possible substitute or a luxurious co-star in Ajay Mitchell.
The participant Simmons factors to, Mitchell, has been good this season, averaging 16.9 factors in simply 28.1 minutes per sport.
“This Ajay Mitchell having the ability to are available and simply be this fast 16, 17 factors a sport, regular offense. It’s not like he’s a three-point shooter. He’s like a artful guard,” Simmons mentioned.
“He can sort of do a Shai impersonation a bit of bit… if Shai misses a sport, he may in all probability get in and get 25.”
It’s honest to say that Mitchell is a hidden gem, as he was chosen thirty eighth general in final yr’s draft.
The 23-year-old drawing a comparability from Simmons to Jalen Brunson‘s early days with the Dallas Mavericks, when he was a second-round choose backing up Luka Doncic.
“The way in which he’s taking part in jogs my memory a bit of of when Brunson was on Dallas, approach earlier than he turned Knicks Brunson, approach earlier than that one sequence when Luka was out and impulsively he was carrying them,” Simmons mentioned.
“However Brunson had this stretch on these Dallas groups the place you’d watch him be like, ‘Is that this man actually good or am I loopy?’. And also you simply watch him and he was so snug and he was sort of this luxurious on the aspect for the Mavs.”
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That comparability led Simmons to take a position that if Brunson may develop into a max-level star after leaving a major possibility’s shadow, Mitchell could be the following massive factor if he ever will get his personal group.
“I simply surprise with Mitchell, I’m positive these different GMs are taking a look at this Thunder group going, ‘There’s no approach they’re going to maintain all these guys,’” Simmons mentioned.
“So, I’m positive all these different groups should be scavengers. Like, may we construct an offense round Ajay Mitchell? It appears absurd, however who is aware of? The Brunson factor appeared absurd.”
