Isaiah Hartenstein made headlines by directly confronting former NBA star Gilbert Arenas’ bold prediction that the Oklahoma City Thunder had no chance of reaching the NBA Finals. During an episode of the Gil’s Arena podcast, Arenas, who averaged 20.7 points per game throughout his career, declared the Thunder had a “0% chance” to advance, motivated by his support for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Arenas argued his position confidently, outlining the tough opponents the Thunder would face early in the playoffs. He said,
Whoever (the Thunder) play first round, you got Golden State, Memphis, Sacramento, or Dallas. Okay, whatever.
He went on to mention potential second-round matchups against strong teams like the Clippers or Nuggets, implying the Thunder would struggle significantly. His fellow analysts — Kenyon Martin Sr., Brandon Jennings, Nick Young, and WNBA player Lexie Brown — mostly shared Arenas’ skepticism, although Young gave the Thunder a more optimistic 60% chance, pointing to the Lakers as the main competition.
Thunder Defy Predictions with Gritty Playoff Performance
Contrary to Arenas’ doubts, the Thunder showed resilience and determination throughout their postseason run. They faced a grueling seven-game battle against Nikola Jokic and the top-seeded Denver Nuggets, eventually prevailing. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves impressively overcame the Lakers and Warriors, advancing after losing only two games. Oklahoma City’s hard-fought journey culminated in securing the NBA title after an intense Finals series against the Indiana Pacers.
Hartenstein’s Playoff Contributions and Playful Response to Arenas
During the Thunder’s successful season, Hartenstein posted career-best averages of 27.9 minutes, 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game and played a critical role in all 23 playoff games. After the championship win, he couldn’t resist teasing Arenas about his incorrect prediction.
Before we keep going, aye, Gil, you said 0%?
Hartenstein joked, prompting Arenas to reaffirm his loyalty to the Lakers with a smile.
Hartenstein continued the lighthearted banter, referencing a past Arenas comment with humor:
I think that might have been one of your worst takes instead of the international pimp,
recalling Arenas’ memorable remark during his sophomore year at Arizona in 2001. Arenas replied,
I’m from Germany. I’ve never seen you pimping out there.
Looking Ahead Following an Unforeseen Championship
As the Thunder celebrate their unexpected NBA title, Hartenstein and his teammates are eager to build upon the accomplishment and challenge doubters once more. This victory not only defies predictions but also signals Oklahoma City’s rising stature in the league, setting high expectations for the next season and their continued potential to disrupt the NBA hierarchy.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Isaiah Hartenstein wear a mask?
A. On Monday night, Hartenstein got a bruise on his face while playing against the Timberwolves. Joel Lorenzi reports on the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman.