Okay so last night I finally sat down to figure out this Hawks-Thunder game plan I kept hearing folks argue about. Didn’t have a magic playbook or anything, just my laptop, a notebook, and maybe one too many cups of coffee. Here’s how it actually went down.
Starting Simple with the Tape
First thing, I pulled up video clips from the Thunder’s last few games. Didn’t get fancy with analysis software or stats sites, just straight up game footage on a basic player. Made myself focus on two things: SGA scoring and Holmgren roaming around. Grabbed my notebook – the old-school paper kind – and started scribbling.
Here’s what jumped out at me:
- SGA loves those mid-range jumpers when he drives left. Like, a lot.
- Holmgren hangs around the three-point line a ton when they run plays, waiting to pop or dive.
- When Jalen Williams gets going downhill, stuff just kinda… happens? Felt chaotic.
- Their guards pass super fast after screens.
Drawing Lines on My Whiteboard
Right, time to get messy. Cleared off the dusty whiteboard leaning against my wall – last used for grocery lists honestly. Got out my crappy markers (red for Hawks, blue for Thunder, obviously). Started sketching where guys should stand.
My main battles:
- Who guards SGA? Decided Trae gotta be hidden somewhere safer. Put Dejounte Murray right on him. Big “DENY LEFT” note in all caps next to SGA’s spot. Made a note: “Make SGA GO RIGHT. Every. Single. Time.” Funnel him towards Capela, make him see bodies.
- The Holmgren Headache. Drew Jalen Johnson on him. Big arrow: “STAY GLUED!” Underlined it twice. No floating away. If Chet hangs at the three-point line, Jalen needs to be breathing down his neck.
- Team Defense Mess. Drew squiggly lines showing other Hawks players shifting inside whenever SGA or J-Dub drove. Big word in the paint: “CLOG IT.” Messy? Yes. Necessary? Also yes.
Testing the Idea (Sort Of)
Okay, no NBA practice gym access for me! Instead, I grabbed a pack of sticky notes. Yellow for Thunder players, pink for Hawks. Started moving them around on the coffee table like chess pieces, trying to see where my plan would fail.
- SGA forces his way right? Good! Capela or Okongwu should be there waiting. Sticky note collision.
- Holmgren sets a screen for SGA? My pink Jalen sticky needed to quickly shove Chet away, then scramble back. Felt risky.
- Biggest worry: Other Thunder guys making shots if Hawks collapse too much. Sticky notes just stared back at me. Had to add a mental note: “Pray Dort misses open looks.” Realistic, I guess.
Watching the Game & Taking Notes
Sat down tonight with my notebook and that whiteboard beside me. Nervous energy. First quarter: Hawks tried it! Saw Murray forcing SGA right, saw Clint standing tall in the lane a few times. Not perfect, but SGA missed some tough ones driving that direction. Working?
Second quarter: Uh oh. Chet hit a couple threes with Jalen maybe a step slow. Got out my marker, wrote on the board: “JALEN – NO SPACE FOR CHET!” Frustrating.
Third quarter adjustment: Seemed like Hawks told Jalen to be even tighter on Chet, almost forgetting help defense. Bit scary. Saw J-Dub drive past Saddiq Bey a couple times too easily. Notebook scribble: “Help rotations too slow?”
Fourth quarter chaos: Hawks clinging on. My main ideas sorta held? SGA kept going right, making some tough shots but also had turnovers trying it. Critical final play: SGA drives right, Clint disrupts, pass gets loose, game over! Massive yell from me. Holy smokes.
After the Buzzer Thoughts
Well, it worked tonight, but man, it wasn’t smooth or easy or some genius discovery. It was messy defense requiring guys to fight on every possession. Murray fought like crazy on SGA. Jalen got roasted a bit chasing Chet but stuck with it. Clint stood his ground. They made it ugly.
My simple little board drawing basically said: “Take away SGA’s favorite path and don’t leave Chet alone.” Hawks committed to that grunt work tonight against a really good team, and it just barely tipped the scales. Exhausting just watching it! Still buzzing. Time for more coffee.
