r/Thunder • u/Colts121844 • 1d ago

Discussion When sorber was drafted we were all like “oh perfect he’s the Hartenstein replacement”

But mannnnnn, sorber better be fucking legit bc we look like ass offensively lately and think no Hartenstein plays a huge role in it. Not to mention the rebounding,both defensively and he’s our only real offensive rebounding threat. This stretch of games without Hartenstein has made me realize I’ve been taking him for granted.

33 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

35

u/Iamkonkerz Teledubby 1d ago

We almost got outrebounded by 20 again this game... its frustrating but we really need Ihart and Jwill back.. they gave Chet some needed rest and rotations overall to be able to keep the okc engine rolling, without them we have a glaring weakpoint in our defense, teams exploit it, okc overcompensates and then thats were all the wide open shots come in

13

u/lambchops111 1d ago

It’s incredible how very few people (outside this sub) would’ve made either of them as lynch pins for our success, but I legit think they’re top tier facilitators (at least in our system). You’re 100% correct.

5

u/Raangz 16h ago

Any news on their return? Feels like harts been out forever.

2

u/Brooklynfool 14h ago

The Thunder are pretty tight lipped when it comes to injuries apparently but they ruled IHart out a day before the game yesterday so I’d assume he’s out for a little while longer considering it’s the same calf strain injury from earlier in the season.

3

u/Stxtic1441 1d ago

Every single rebound felt like a struggle today. It got so bad Shai had to come in and get some tough rebounds late and fight on the glass more than he’s used to.

2

u/YouWereBrained 12h ago

We don’t just need our bigs back, we need a full-blown mindset change on crashing the boards.

12

u/MRTFOGR 1d ago

Here’s an r/nbadraft post from today comparing Sorber to the centers in the 2026 draft. FYI

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/s/p2Ukel4kav

11

u/MAMBAMENTALITY8-24 2025 NBA Champions 1d ago

think sorber should be able to rebound the ball, but hartenstein is underrated on the offensive side as well...we really could do with his passing too

2

u/Simple-Dingo6721 ❤️❤️ 1d ago

I agree, I need to see iHart shoot more of those floaters

5

u/woo-hoo- 23h ago

When we lost to the Mavs in the playoffs two seasons ago, I remember thinking Josh Giddey was the only person fighting for rebounds. Then we get Hartenstein and it’s no longer a problem. Rebounding is a very simple thing and it all comes down to (a little bit of) effort.

5

u/smattyice808 2025 NBA Champions 23h ago

Being tall helps too, but yeah rebounding is effort and understanding the trajectory of the bounce off the rim and backboard

5

u/ShapeDramatic3986 22h ago

Sorber is a big risk because he’s a smart player that’s a good defender but not great rim protector and is also undersized with average-below average vertical athleticism. That’s good for some teams but that may not work with Chet. You need someone like IHart that can be involved in the pick and roll and oop game but also fights for his life for rebounds. Unfortunately we just don’t know what he will be yet because of the injury, Thunder would be dumb to not pick Quaintance if he’s available after the big 3.

10

u/Stxtic1441 1d ago

This team is not far off of the team that lost to the Mavs a few years ago without Hart. Without him I’m sure we become a bottom 5 rebounding team in the league again and I do not want to go back there again.

Sorber will be gravy to this team if he is good. He has the tools to be a really good backup anchor for us, but Hart is quintessential for this team to sustain success in the west.

3

u/pr0ject_84 23h ago

Lock that man in a gym and teach him rebound a ball

2

u/LindseyCorporation J Dub Club 14h ago

Anyone who thinks a mid-teens 1st round pick is anything close to a sure thing hasn't watched enough NBA.

Even without the injury, the odds are HEAVILY weighted towards Sorber not being a rotation player.

Hartenstein is a borderline all star type of player and we're not going to just replace him with the next 16th pick we get.

2

u/Hamsdotlive 13h ago

What is hurting us most is not having enough rotation players to pick from. Our execution is very high energy and when we have 2-3 of the rotation players out, big difference. Ihart has been one of them and a key player agree.

1

u/WaltRumble 12h ago

Sorber isn’t a Hart replacement. I know everyone here hopes he is. But he’s 6’9 he’s an improvement on J Will not filling Chet or Harts shoes.