Chet Holmgren didn’t just say he needed to be better after OKC’s 124-97 home loss to Charlotte on Monday.
He said it eight times throughout a media availability that only lasted eight minutes and change. And he often leaned into the mic and cleared his throat before repeating that statement, ensuring his message was clear.
It’s an impressive level of maturity from the 23-year-old pro, who accepts responsibility as quickly as he denies shots. And it’s the approach OKC’s entire team is taking during its recent struggles. Six losses in the reigning NBA champions’Â last 12 games, culminating in a 27-point beatdown on their floor by what’ll likely be a lottery team.
“The most frustrating person to work with is the one that never has any self-accountability,” Holmgren said. “And I don’t think we have anybody in our building with that makeup, from the players to the coaches to whoever that might be. … It’s always about us looking ourselves in the mirror. What can we do better? Because the things that are out of our control are out of our control for us as well as every other team.
“So, how do you get better? You have to look at yourself first. I’m a big believer in doing that. I have to be better, and I’m sure everybody who’s here in the building tonight feels the same way.”
There are plenty of uncontrollables for the Thunder (30-7).
There’s the difficulty of adjusting to changing rotations, with key players such as Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein being in and out due to injuries. There’s the challenge of playing on the second night of a back-to-back stretch, where OKC is 2-4 this season. Things every other team goes through, as Holmgren said.
One challenge exclusive to the Thunder is the pressure that comes with being the reigning champ. OKC carries a massive target for a league filled with sharpshooters to aim at, and it can’t simply shrug it off.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t bother trying, to his credit. He admits there’s truth to that target. He even remembers being the one taking aim as recently as last season.
“Being who we are and what we’ve accomplished, teams are going to come in here with a heightened sense of the game,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after OKC’s 108-105 road loss to Phoenix on Sunday. “They’re going to test themselves against the defending champs. They’re going to test themselves and see where they are. I know that because when I played against defending champs in the past, that’s how I viewed it.
“Last year when we played against Boston, it was a chance to see where we were at the time. But that’s how it goes. That’s how the game goes.”
Still, the Thunder isn’t losing because opponents are taking their games to the next level. It’s losing because it isn’t playing at its own level.
Every game is different, although one reoccurring theme is OKC not setting the tone defensively early on. It prides itself in taking away an opponent’s biggest strength and forcing it to adjust, but it has allowed teams to get comfortable. Like when San Antonio scored 69 first-half points on Dec. 25 by getting to the rim at will or when Charlotte scored 67 first-half points on Monday by getting clean looks from behind the arc.
OKC’s offensive execution also hasn’t been as sharp on numerous occasions. It has only scored an average of 105 points on 42.3% shooting from the field (30% from deep) in its six recent losses. And while some of that can be attributed to shots simply not falling, not all of it can.
There have been times when the Thunder hasn’t attacked with its usual amount of force. It has been beaten to gaps by defenders, disrupting both the drive itself and OKC’s offensive rhythm. It drove the ball 71 times against Charlotte but only shot 11 for 33 from the field (33.3%) in those instances.
Those are all controllables that the Thunder just hasn’t controlled.
“When you lose a game, it’s usually (the details),” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Especially when you have the roster we do. A lot of times you don’t lose because of talent. You lose because of the little things and doing what it takes to win in this league.”
For some, it might seem like the sky is falling in Oklahoma City. Like what was built up to be a historic season has come tumbling down.
But astronomical expectations have given the young Thunder an appreciation for gravity. A reminder to be where its feet are and stay grounded, even when it feels like that ground is shaking.
Things could always be worse for OKC, which knows it just has to be better.
“You have to approach it with the right level of gravity,” Holmgren said. “You can’t just brush it off, wipe the film and say, ‘On to the next.’ But you also can’t overreact and allow the emotions of losing a game to take over and pull you in the wrong direction. We have to look at it objectively for what it is and look at where we can be better.”
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.