THUNDER UNLEASH TOPICH-CARLSON DUO IN SUMMER LEAGUE STUNNER. Is OKC's future taking shape before our eyes?

Oklahoma City's unbeaten run in Las Vegas showcases the game-changing potential of Nikola Topich and Branden Carlson playing together. Host Rylan Stiles breaks down how Carlson's floor-spacing ability complements Topich's playmaking, creating a dynamic offensive threat. The discussion covers Ajay Mitchell's impressive 27-point performance, analyzing his footwork and driving angles that compensate for athletic limitations.

Stiles then presents a comprehensive "Stock Watch" of the entire Thunder roster, evaluating each player's value and potential. From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's All-time great trajectory to Chet Holmgren's impact, no stone is left unturned in this deep dive into OKC's future.

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Western Conference Shakeup: OKC Thunder's Path to Dominance

Rylan Stiles and Michael Martin break down the NBA Western Conference landscape, ranking teams and analyzing potential threats to the Oklahoma City Thunder. From the rebuilding Utah Jazz to the championship-contending Denver Nuggets, they dissect each team's strengths, weaknesses, and chances against OKC. The duo highlights the Houston Rockets as a dark horse and explores the Nuggets' formidable roster, including Nikola Jokic's impact.

Key topics include the Thunder's quest for the top seed, historical context of maintaining the #1 spot post-championship, and the regular season's crucial role in playoff positioning. Guest Michael Martin offers insights on Let's Talk Thunder's YouTube channel, adding depth to the analysis.

Tune in for expert takes on OKC's journey to Western Conference supremacy and discover which teams pose the biggest challenges.

0:00 Intro: Ranking the Western Conference

5:01 Bottom teams: Jazz, Pelicans, Suns, Kings

10:15 Play-in contenders and potential threats

17:13 Warriors at #6: Old roster, injury concerns

20:53 Lakers at #5: LeBron's future, roster questions

26:50 Nuggets as biggest threat to Thunder

30:08 Teams that could realistically beat OKC

33:27 Eastern Conference outlook and Finals matchups

36:39 Importance of #1 seed for Thunder

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Is Chet Holmgren worth the max? The Oklahoma City Thunder's rising star takes center stage in this in-depth analysis of his contract value and on-court impact.

Host Rylan Stiles breaks down the Thunder's newly announced preseason schedule, starting October 5th against the Charlotte Hornets. He explores Holmgren's defensive prowess and offensive potential, making a case for his max contract worthiness. The discussion shifts to Brooks Barnheiser's defensive skills and development path.

Stiles tackles the burning question: Can the Thunder repeat as champions? He estimates their odds and addresses the pressure of back-to-back titles. Plus, get insights on Isaiah Joe's future with the team and potential roster moves.

Tune in for expert analysis on the Thunder's path to sustained success and the key players shaping their future.

0:00 Intro: Thunder preseason schedule announced

5:07 NBA Cup schedule impacts player rotations

10:13 Is Chet Holmgren worth the max contract?

15:22 Brooks Barnheiser's potential and "juice" rating

26:34 Thunder's chances of repeating as champions

32:09 Isaiah Joe's future and three-point shooting

37:45 Hot take: Will Thunder win 74 games?

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)