The Oklahoma City Thunder has had a rebounding issue early in this season. Half of the battle for this is a collective effort and energy on the boards. A concerted effort on the boards is needed, and one player's return helped the Thunder find that.
Kenrich Williams is a true veteran for the Thunder. He embodies the Thunder culture and his absence was felt through the Thunder's first ten games of the season. He made his return on Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs.
Williams' physicality he brings exponentially helps the Thunder, which often gets bullied on the boards. The presence he provides can't be overstated and it's found in the box score. He finished his season debut with nine points on 4-of-7 shooting and was a plus-13 in the box score.
Playing against 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama, Williams used his physicality to neutralize his impact. Wembanyama finished with eight points on 4-of-15 shooting.
"[Williams is] a huge part of what we do," Thunder guard Josh Giddey said. "The things he does for this group never go unnoticed internally. ...He's awesome to have back."
Again, it won't always show in the box score, but what Williams provides is so impactful for the style and identity the Thunder plays with. Giddey is just one player who understands that.
"Man, we missed Unc out there," Holmgren said of Williams.
Playing teams like the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves is much, much easier with the 6-foot-6 forward in the lineup. Guarding bigger lineups that involve duos like Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert or Zion Williams and Jonas Valanciunas is made much easier when having Williams' physicality and vet presence readily available.
Overall, the Thunder is 7-4 on the season with an opportunity to improve their record in a couple of matchups against the Golden State Warriors in the team's next two games.
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