Oklahoma City Thunder: Lu Dort Drops Obvious Tyrese Haliburton Gameplan Ahead of Exciting 2025 NBA Finals 3 Jan 26, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) celebrates with guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during a break in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

'One of the Best Screen Setters We Have in the League' – Oklahoma City Thunder’s Unsung Hero Draws Praise From LeBron James

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 8:57 AM ET

LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steve Nash believe that Isaiah Hartenstein deserves more recognition for being one of the key catalysts during the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship run.

In the latest episode of the Mind the Game podcast, the Oklahoma City Thunder center was praised for his hustle and intangibles, complementing well with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

“The key to me is Hartenstein in a way because, for 20 to 30 minutes, a game becomes a focal, a hub, the DHOs, the floaters, the passing,” Nash said. “It’s like the rug that brings the room together.”

Mar 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) moves around Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) on a play against the Charlotte Hornets during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

“Especially in the postseason when the game ramps up physically. To be able to have a big as a hub. Okay, you pressured me, okay, you stopped me, boom. Now I’m playing the chase game. You can’t grab me then,” James added. “Now I’m playing the chase game. I can go back door, which Hartenstein, we know he makes that back door pass with the best of them. You can play chase with him. He’s one of the best screen setters we have in the league.”

Oklahoma City Thunder News: Jalen Williams opens up on playing through pain during the 2025 NBA playoffs

Jalen Williams wanted to keep his wrist injury secret during the Oklahoma City Thunder’s deep playoff run because he was all-in on helping his team win the championship. The 24-year-old swingman said he drew inspiration from Kobe Bryant in doing it.

Ex-NBA Player Believes the Thunder Has the Best Situation in All of Sports - Dec 20, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) reacts after a three-point basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

“They were telling me, and I don’t want to make this a Kobe thing, but that was one of the people that they brought up that had done it before and played through it. So, they were saying it was doable,” Williams detailed on his YouTube channel. “Throughout the week, I basically changed my jump shot from that week up until then to shoot in a way that required touch and only use my fingertips. So I didn’t have to follow through all the time.

“I basically did that for six days, and then we came up with the solution to start doing a cortisone shot, and then, I got a lidocaine shot, and I started practicing with those two,” Williams concluded.