There are plenty of moving pieces behind the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 117-95 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1. From the defensive schemes Mike Daigneault placed on Luka Doncic to the role players who stepped up to help the Thunder win, every member of the roster deserves credit for their impressive playoff performances so far.
Among the most outstanding contributors during Game 1 was Jalen Williams. The second-year player has established himself as one of the most important players in the OKC roster, which played a role in the Thunder’s rise to the top of the Western Conference.
Some fans may notice that he’s playing with a certain level of joy that you don’t usually see from players who have become key players for their teams. Those who are wondering why he’s approaching every game with such an attitude got an incredible response from the young player himself.
After the Thunder’s Game 1 victory, the Santa Clara product was asked about various things related to the Thunder’s playoff run. Among the queries was his approach to the game, which is unique for a player of his stature.
He gave a straightforward answer that would make some people laugh while also reminding others what kind of lives they lead:
JDub speaks on the reason behind his positive vibes on and off the court pic.twitter.com/9DwjPbxCcG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 8, 2024
It’s a refreshing thing to hear a player of his caliber admit that he’s in such a privileged position to make a living out of something he loves doing. It’s also obvious in his play that such a mentality is doing wonders for him.
Williams has taken a step up in the postseason for the Thunder, averaging 20.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.4 steals on 50.6% shooting and 39.1% from deep. If he continues his fantastic form, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be headed to the Western Conference Finals.
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